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Small Shelf Makeover

I wish I had a true before picture of this shelf. I found this at a thrift store several months ago for about $4.00. It was a dated, dark brown with terrible paneling as the back that was broken in several places. My hubby replaced the back with a thin plywood and I primed and painted it in a bright white.

This shelf was then neglected for a few months. I have moved it from place to place in my office, never really wanting to work on it. I had zero inspiration. I was ready to pitch it and get it out of my site. A couple of days ago, I made the 40 minute trek out to Hobby Lobby and found some beautiful scrapbooking paper (along with tons of other fun stuff.) Now, I am not a scrapbooker, but lately I’ve been looking at the papers out there and getting tons of inspiration for my painting. So, I bought a book of paper, not really knowing where I was going to use it, but knowing it would come in handy for various projects. While cleaning my office I came across my forgotten shelf. The paper! Mod Podge! Inspiration at long last!

 So, I pulled out my new jar of Mod Podge (the very first one I’ve ever purchased) and found a paper that I thought would look cute on the shelf. I measured and used my paper cutter to make perfectly straight cuts.

 I did a dry fit to make sure everything looked good and then applied the Mod Podge with a foam brush. No matter how much I tried to smooth out the paper, there were bubbles…argh. But, the strange thing was when it was fully dry, there were no bubbles. OK, I’ll take it.

 I applied two coats of Mod Podge total and then did some decorative painting on the knobs and the drawers to tie them in with the paper. And ta-da! My neglected shelf is finally finished and shop-worthy.

 I think it will look so cute in a bathroom or a girl’s room, even a kitchen. Why not? There’s a little grove for plates, so it would be perfect for displaying a tea cup & saucer collection.

 I kept the decorative painting very simple and matched the floral detail in the paper.

 As a side note, am I the only one who thought it was Modge Podge, not Mod Podge?

Make sure you’re getting your projects ready to share for this weeks FFF link party and giveaway. You won’t want to miss it! Grab a button and spread the word.

Miss Mustard Seed

I’m posting this to Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch , Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors, and DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land.

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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46 Responses

  2. I like your painting detail to match the paper. Nice touch! I just bought a bottle of mod podge this week to start on crafting. The last time I did that type of crafting was in the 70's…it was very popular then. Okay, I've just dated myself!
    Living it up at Lakewood,
    Cindy

  3. I called it modge podge also even after buying it for years. Then I noticed when I started blogging the correct spelling. Too funny! Love your shelf. Have have used the Mod Podge since the 70's also Cindy of Plant some roots. We will date ourselves together.

  4. I've always thought it was Modge Podge as well. Didn't even realize it until you just pointed it out…learned something new!
    Liked the update on the little shelf….the scrapbook aisle is always a great inspiration aisle, even if you're not a scrapbooker.
    Happy Saturday.
    Jane

  6. I'm not a scrapbooker but I love scrap booking things, especially paper. I'm always trying to find a different way to use it. Thanks for the idea. I love the way it looks on the shelf. It reminds me of vintage wallpaper.
    Also, thanks for fixing my typo.
    Stephanie

  9. I did the same thing with my china cabinet and just love how it turned out, sweetpea! Love gluing things around my house to jazz them up! Yours turned out darling….
    xoxo,
    Connie

  12. Great job, and yes, I thought it was Modge Podge (and I even have a jar of it in my craft stash). :0)

    Have a great weekend!
    Zuzu

  13. Oh I love it! How cute it is! I have an old brown shelf hanging around in one of my closets. I think I am going out to buy some scrapbook paper and white paint so I can try this.

    It is lovely. Thank you for sharing this great idea.

    Lee Ann

  15. I love this piece and the paper you chose. Beautiful! I love Mod Podge and use it all the time. I only realized it wasn't modge podge a couple of weeks ago. I even blooged about it here http://poplarporch.blogspot.com/2009/10/where-have-i-been.html

    As for the bubles that gave you such a headache… if you spritz your paper very lightly with water before you use it you won't have that problem. Even though it dries flat, it's frustrating when your applying it to work with the bubbles. Hope that helps for your next project!

    Shari @ Poplar Porch

  17. I'm an English major, so the pronunciation did not escape me… and it has forced me to cringe a lot when I hear it! 🙂 Ah, the trials of being a literary snob! 🙂

    Welcome to a wonderful world though! So many fun things with Mod Podge!

  20. I love it when inspiration strikes after you have been shuffling a particular piece around for a while. It is like a Eureka moment and makes what we do totally worthwhile. Nice work on the shelf!

  24. Ha! My fingers always insist on typing Modge Podge and I have to go back and correct it! The shelf looks great ~ aren't scrapbook papers fun to work with. I don't scrapbook either but I love all the papers and you can use them for so many projects.

  31. The shelf is adorable esp. with your additions! They should rethink the nane mod podge anyway..modge sounds right! I was looking back at your family room-so comfortable-I am hoping on a craigslist Ektorp sofa-we went as scheduled and they didn't answer the door…he emailed "sorry" & come next week…You seem happy with it? This one's beige, but I would like to get the white cover-wash well?
    Thanks!
    ~Nancy

  37. Very cute work! I posted some Modge Podging this week too and the funny thing is that I spelled it the wrong way too!! ACK! All better now…thanks to you! Again, wonderful job!

  46. Pingback: Miss Mustard Seed’s fabulous shelf and table.

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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