We painted the back of our built-in bookcases last night! Which is totally our idea of a good time by the way. It’s the equivalent of a “Date Night” for us, if you will. So we figured we should post about the pre-planning process that went on so we can share the “after” pics as closely to real-time as possible (once the paint dries and we can put the shelves back up to snap some final photos for ya). So here you go:
We decided we needed to roughly layout the objects on the built-in bookcases before painting the backs of them (we’ll explain more about that in a minute). We were planning to put a lot of hardcover books along with other breakables (like my ceramic animal menagerie) up there on display since they’ll be away from little hands for a while (making the built-ins one of the only spots for breakable items that will still work with a mobile bambino). But it turns out the shelves are a bit too narrow for a lot of our books which ended up hanging over the edge like toes in too-small sandals.
Not to be deterred, I stashed a bunch of the offending overhanging books in the storage cabinets under the bookcases (along with my not-in-use decor store items). We figure we’ll add some kidproof locking devices to those cabinets so they won’t get raided by tiny hands when Clara is in that getting-into-everything stage. Anyway, after solving the too-big book crisis that nearly brought me to my knees (ok, that’s a little dramatic), I got to work trying to arrange a few of our favorite breakables… only to step back and realize that things were looking a bit too cluttered for my tastes. Yikes.
Forgive the bad picture – John is clearly superior when it comes to sweet talking the Nikon. And speaking of the hubby (who I’ve mentioned before is definitely the brains of this operation), as soon as he heard me moaning about things looking too crowded he walked up behind me, said “hmm” and then came up with the genius idea of eliminating one shelf in each of the four vertical rows for an airier look. This suggestion took him about .05 seconds. Don’t you just hate know-it-alls? Kidding. I loved it. And sure enough, with things a bit more spaced out, we were both a lot more enamored with the new arrangement.
Once we had landed on the right shelf spacing and had a rough idea of what we’ll be displaying, we were ready to unload everything to paint the backs of the built-ins. Why figure out shelf placement first, only to take everything down again? We learned that every time we moved the shelves around they scraped the back wall a bit, so we didn’t want to be playing with their placement a lot after giving the back of the bookcase a fresh coat of paint. So we snapped a few photos to remember where things went and unloaded everything to get ready to add some serious color.
We decided to go with a deep inky blue called Dragonfly from Benjamin Moore’s Affinity line so all of my beloved ceramic animals will pop and the room will hopefully come alive with some high contrast drama and fun. Besides, it’s only paint. So far we love it even though it’s way outside of our usual comfort zone (taking a chance = so worth it). And if we put the shelves back up and load all of our items on them only to learn that we hate it we can always give it another try. It’s just paint. But we’re thinking it’ll all look awesome once the rest of the room (and the adjoined office) get a nice coat of soft silvery gray paint, while the trim and the not-backs (sides, faces, cabinetry, etc) of the built-ins remain the same white tone that they’re already painted. Until we can stop in with those all-done bolder bookcase pics once everything dries, we’ll share these terribly lit shots from last night of the taping process…
… and the cutting in process…
That looks pretty darn dark at night, huh? Wait til you see it in the daylight though. Woot!
Oh and can you tell I’m the cutter-inner while John is the designated taper and roller? See how the painted borders stop a foot away from the top on the right? That’s because I was waiting for the stool that John was using to tape off the top portion. So I snapped this pic in the meantime…
Update: See how our built-in transformation turned out right here.
The house is looking great!!
I love, love, love the inky blue! I have had a recent obsession with that color myself. I’ve got a gray living room with white trim and lots of dark woods. I’m bringing in some dark blue for an accent in the room in art and furniture. Can’t wait to see the final result!
Looks great- how exciting! I must say that I looooove your site since you’ve started more free-for-all posting, much like your olden days. Also, I noticed you commented on commenting (whee) yesterday and I have to say that I LOVE reading your responses. I always learn something by reading other’s questions and your responses, so know that it is very appreciated. I scroll through just to find them!
Looks great. Love the turquoise accents!
I’m so excited to see the finished result!!!
(I dream of built-in bookcases in my future home….)
Looks terrific! Fun idea to try laying out your displays before painting! That’s why you guys are the professionals! I’ve never thought of that before! Great tip! Love how you decorated the shelves and removing one shelf did create a more airy space! Way too go! Also fun that you are trying a pop of color behind the bookcase! It’s going to look awesome! So cool! I can’t wait to see the final pic! :)
~ Ali
I never would have thought it looked cluttered until seeing it with the two shelves removed. What a great improvement! It looks beautiful!…can’t wait to see the finished product!
Can’t wait to see the afters, I bet they look awesome! One of my favorite projects we’ve done in our house so far is the china hutch (http://hernandohouse.wordpress.com/2010/08/18/dishing-it-out/), which has the back painted light blue, it really makes our white china stand out.
Can’t wait to see what it looks like when finished! Love the choice.
Random question: I remember you hired an electrician to put an outlet in your bathroom. We’re dealing with that same issue in our 50s rancher. Do you remember the name of who you used? Thanks!
Hey Brittany,
Hmm, we really liked them. I think they were called Capital electric. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
I’m dying for some built ins in our house! I love the idea of something super dramatic behind them. With the white shelves and all of your white animals, I think the dark paint is the only fitting option! Then again, I’m a sucker for contrast and usually go around my house pairing up dark and light surfaces/objects. Dark wall? Light frame, Light wall? Dark frame. Dark floor? Light wall… you see the point, though I’m trying to expand my color horizons too :)
Can’t wait to see the end results of this project. Taking away just one shelf per side was brilliant and makes all the difference in the world! You guys ROCK.
Love the inky blue color–especially with a soft silvery grey. Would you mind sharing the color of your soft silvery grey paint? I am finding it difficult to find a color that looks airy but not too white…
I can’t wiat to see the after.
Have you settled on a silvery gray for the walls yet? I’m in search of one myself. All of the grays that I have tested on the walls so far all seem to dry with a blue undertone.
Hey Amber & Libby,
We haven’t settled on one yet, but we’ll share it when we do!
xo,
s
black is definitely a dramatic color for you guys. Bravo. I’m sure it will look great. In the future would you consider changing the cabinet doors? I think that might also really update the look of that unit.
Hey Cher,
Never say never!
xo,
s
Can’t wait to see the final results!! What a teaser post… :)
Oh my… don’t make me wait to long for the color. I’m actually drooling already. I guess while I wait I’m gonna go tape off my built-in shelves and standby for what color to go buy. I LOVE it.
Taking out those shelves made it look way better! And I cracked up at that ditty video!! Our cutting/rolling rolls are reversed over here. My delicate, guitar-playing, hands are perfect for cutting straight lines without tape and Katrina’s a super fast roller. Painting is fun.
Looks awesome! And I think it’ll look even better with the cabinetry, trim etc. in white
Looking forward to seeing the final results! We have a built in book case in our front hall and I painted the back of the bookcase Buxton Blue from Benjamin Moore. I love how the white shelves stand out! I am always changing my mind on what to put in there and how to lay it out. The shelves are all the same size (love your little ones where you can put one vase) which makes it tricky. I am in the process of taking down my Christmas decorations and doing a little re-decorating and need some inspiration!
Removing one shelf from each side definitely helps to open things up, but it also looks like you removed a number of the darker items from the shelves, which lightens up the space quite nicely. It looks much more fresh and light, rather than heavy and full — although I’m sure the dark blue will give it a totally different vibe. Can’t wait to see the ‘after’ pictures!
I love that you are going grey in this room – I can’t wait to see it. We’ve just painted our living room a nearly there grey with white trim and bookcase and everyone comments on how amazing it looks! Loving the dark backed bookcase. Bring it on!
I LOVE it so far! I’m considering painting the backs of our built in entertainment center, perhaps a sea green, but I haven’t decided on the color or found the time to do so.
http://ourhumbleabowed.wordpress.com/the-grand-tour/
I can’t wait to see what the color looks like in daylight and with all the decor up! Wahoo!
I LOVE that you guys are being more daring with this house. I also love the dark blue choice! Can’t wait to see the result!
As much as I miss your old house, I definitely think you guys upgraded to an even better house for you. These built-in book shelves are the things dreams are made of.
Ahhhh! You sure know how to keep a clutch audience! Yeeessshhh. (can’t wait to see afters.)
it’s amazing how excited i am to see what your house looks like when you’re all done…makes me feel a little nerdy and pathetic!
By the way, I love the built-in bookshelves! I am trying to get my husband to build me two walls with built-in bookshelves with one having a fireplace in the middle!
I can’t WAIT to see the results! I know it will look awesome. So proud of you guys for going bold. (Baby steps.) ;)
I love the built in’s! And that they frame your all’s office! I am totally recanting my impulsive nature and my recent purchase of a new home. Now I am stranded with only painting to spruce up- and lets just say Home Depot is winning in the stare-down-intimidation. I have to go get some paint swatches and get going…
Thanks for the inspiration.
What a difference removing a shelf made! Wow!
Okay, I have a question…maybe a topic for a future post? I’m curious about how you decided on the furniture placement for your office. I know you plan to put up some kind of french doors or something, so maybe that led to where you put the desk. But for now, I would have thought putting the sofa on the far wall would have been a better view into that room. So flip flopping where the couch and the desk is?
Hey Melanie,
We tried things both ways and just liked looking in on the desk (since it’s an office) instead of looking in on a big green sofa (which makes it more of a mystery room). The room is also longer than it is wide, so the double desk fit better on that long wall. Since we sit on either side of it, we wouldn’t really be peering directly out the front window (nor are we peering directly into the carport) so it seems to work for now!
xo,
s
We are doing this exact thing right now. No joke! We have a build-in book shelf in our living room and it is currently stained (very poorly) and we are painting the back of it the same color as the walls and will paint the shelves white to match the trim. Great job! Cannot wait to see the finished product!
Amazing what a difference that makes. Wish we didn’t have so many books that need a storage spot! Cannot wait to see what color you painted the back. We are also about to embark on building some new built-ins in our basement. Unfortunately these are for toys in the short-term :)
http://houseography.blogspot.com/2011/01/basement-playroom-project-begins.html
I knew it looked better, but I couldn’t figure out what you had done! My husband would do the same thing. :)
http://40daysof.wordpress.com/2011/01/04/fat-tuesday/
What a great idea, such a small change made such a great difference.
Happy New Year!
-Chic Done Cheap
LOVE LOVE LOVE the way the built ins look going into the office. i really just like the whole look of that entryway….inspiring me to rethink our built in color.
I can’t wait to see an after picture, it’s going to look great!
I have the same white ceramic rhino as you! I just got it at home goods for 10 bucks. I love that place.
I’ve been meaning to paint the back of my bookshelves for ages, but have been daunted (because its a lot of work). You may have just inspired me.
Looking good!
Love the blue! Are the bookshelves a bright white or off-white? Will you have to paint them?
Hey Brandi,
The bookshelves are a pretty bright white (forgive some of the badly lit pics where they look cream). We’re hoping that we won’t have to paint them since they’re like-new (we think they repainted everything in the house when they staged it to sell a few months back).
xo,
s
Hi guys! love the color! what were your plans for new years this year?
We went out for some delicious sushi (just like we’ve done every year since we started dating) and went to a neighborhood party with John’s sis (Clara in tow). She lasted until around 9:30. So cute.
xo,
s
What a great idea! Love the color choice, too.
I’m so jealous of your built-ins I can’t stand it!
I’m so excited for your new, dramatic color palate! Can’t wait to see the results.
LOVE IT! It is sad that the shelves are too narrow for books.
Are you going to display them elsewhere? I know you were going for a library-ish feel…
Hey Katie,
Yeah, once we get our bearings and figure out what furnishings we’ll be bringing into our house we’re sure we’ll get to work some of our pretty hardcover books in there somewhere!
xo,
s
Oooh, I can’t wait to see the finished product. I loved just the white as well, so bright. I am enamored with white which is one big reason I’m moving to where I am moving.
I can’t wait to see the finished room, especially if you go with the grey. I have been waffling with going grey myself recently AND with creating a really dark accent wall. I love some of the pictures I have seen of grey walls… but have always associated grey with depressing February skies. Hopefully seeing your lovely walls (which I am sure they will be) will give me the courage I need! :)
By the way……. Is it just me or does the shadow above the task lamp in the first pic with John in it look like the marshmallow man from ghostbusters?
Haha, that or the Pillsbury Doughboy!
xo,
s
Wow – what an eye-opener! Who (other than John, obviously) would have thought how much impact taking out a few shelves would have? Love it :o)
WOW……just removing a few shelves makes it look so much better. Can’t wait till the final reveal.
:)
yay!! my hubbie cuts in while I paint the wall portion. i think it came to be because he is wayyyyyy more OCD than I am. So having a meticulous task is something he enjoys whereas I am bored to tears. its interesting to me how people figure out what works best for them with home improvement and who does what job!
CanNOT wait to see the final after shot. Good work with your real-time blogging goal; it’s totally keeping me hooked!
You guys are just so cute!
Cant wait to see the finished room.
Love the dark blue! Can’t wait to see the finished product! Especially your plans for the main wall colors to complement this.
It’s starting to come together!
My husband is a professor and we have TONS of books. I try to keep the bookcases looking as open as possible. Thanks for the reminder to put items other than books in the bookcases.