We’re back with the after pics of our freshly painted built-ins. As we mentioned in the last post, we went with an inky blue color with hints of green called Dragonfly from Benjamin Moore’s Affinity line (color matched to Lowe’s No-VOC Olympic paint for the bambino). We only needed a quart, and since we used objects that we already owned on the shelves this entire built-in makeover only ran us $10.97. You can read more about how we planned the shelf placement here. Oh and here’s a poorly lit progress pic from last night, just for fun. Yes John’s shirt does say “Talk Nerdy To Me” on the back. I love it.
But here’s what you really care about. The bookcases all painted! Picture us twiddling our thumbs while we waited for them to fully dry so we could put the shelves back on and load them up.
Of course by then it wasn’t as bright in our north facing room (hence the slight color variation from the last pic) but we LOVE it. It’s bold and high contrast and nothing that we would’ve have the guts to do in our last house.
We’re enamored with the color because it’s super moody and it reads as greener or bluer or darker or lighter depending on the time of day and the angle that you glance at it.
And of course all of my white ceramic animals (and other not-kid-friendly-so-I’m-glad-they-fit-up-there treasures) really pop against the saturated background color (which also makes the cabinets look crisper and whiter by comparison).
These two pics are probably the most true to life when it comes to the color (but of course how you see them really depends on your monitor):
Mr. Rhino (and his ceramic twin on the other side) likey. And we do too. Especially for under $11. In fact we love the color so much that we plan to work it into other parts of the house when we can (you know, to try to keep our whole house color scheme cohesive but not too “yawn”). We’re thinking it might be the perfect color for the base of the future island that we’d love to someday add to our kitchen – and would even work on a bathroom vanity. Should be fun…
Psst- Learn how we made those two fabric covered boxes on the right side of the shelf here.
Mandy of Kini Style says
Wow!!! What a difference paint makes. You guys never cease to amaze me.
Thanks so much for all of the inspiration.
amanda says
does color matching to a different brand change the color from the original?
thanks for answering questions! you da you da best
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Amanda,
It’s very very close in our experience. We have never had an issue with something looking even a smidge different from the original swatch once it’s up on the wall after two coats. The technology is pretty amazing these days.
xo,
s
becca says
this looks fabulous! i love the color and the way all your things pop against it; great color choice!
Carolyn says
Great job! Have to admit I’ wasn’t sure I would like the color, but it really does look beautiful with all your stuff in there. It’s making me consider something similar for my built-ins.
You are both so cute and talented. Thanks for inspiring me every single day!
Destiny says
Gorgeous! I especially appreciate that you provided a before and after showing your items on the shelves. It really proves that the after is so much better — such an improvement. And … those Diddy commericals — I love.
Sam F says
So fabulous! Loving all these updates and seeing all the quick little DIY’s you’ve been doing to the new house. So fun!
Charley says
LOVE. times like a million. I’m so glad to see you taking risks! This house is going to be fantastic!!
Miranda says
Wow! I really love it. I can’t believe how finished it makes everything look. I’m way more jazzed about painting the inside of my bookshelf now, but I’m thinking a bright yellow.
jamie mp says
Love this look and have been waiting for two years to pull the trigger and do something similar in our dining room built in. Question: do you know what color your walls will be? I was thinking of doing the back of our built in two shades darker than our walls, so the colors are cohesive, but would really like to hear/see what you are thinking.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jamie MP,
We’re planning to go with a soft gray color- kind of like platinum. We’ll post all about what we pick when we narrow things down!
xo,
s
katy says
Looks fan-freakin-tabulous!
Could this same thing be done with some Ikea Billy bookcases?? I’m about to go purchase a bunch of them….but isn’t the back particle board? Can that be painted? I’m not crafty enough to paint the wall behind it as you did with your Billy.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Katy,
Ikea furniture is typically made from laminate which is harder to paint with any long lasting success, but this tutorial might be your best shot at it: http://livingwithlindsay.com/2009/05/how-to-paint-laminate-furniture.html
xo,
s
ashley says
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this color! I am really enjoying the new direction your blog is taking.
Val says
Love the “giant mustache”–so perfect in that narrow niche at the top too.
This is one of my favorite colors, especially combined with that celery green, so I look forward to seeing it pop up all over the house. I think the one thing I did “right” was buy every color (or at least select them) for my whole house at once so it is cohesive, but then my house is so small you practically see every room at once.
Also, for anyone a little apprehensive about darker or bolder colors this is such a great step.
Kristin says
I, too, am swooning over John’s shirt. And your built-ins, of course. These look great!
I should have gone back to look through the comments before I asked this question (my apologies if you’ve already answered!), but I’m wondering about the teal floral fabric items on the right side. Is that “Sweet William” fabric? And did you make those 2 items (she asks the D-I-Y monarchs)? What is the big rectangly one? (I assume the other is a box or planter.)
Thanks, y’all. And if you respond, please talk nerdy. :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kristin,
Yes! That’s the fabric we used- and we made them here: https://www.younghouselove.com/2010/08/put-a-cork-in-it-2/
Hope it helps (she says as she pushes her coke-bottle glasses up her nose and goes back to playing Dungeons & Dragons).
xo,
s
KKM says
I’m loving the new, more adventurous color choices! (We painted our built-in backs a similar color awhile back). Looks great with all your white and citrus and turquoise-y accessories!
LauraC says
Hey! Don’t talk down about yourself, “nothing that we would’ve have the guts to do in our last house.” That’s not accurate. You could’ve/would’ve done it if you’d have wanted to! Remember, you didn’t want to!! I still love your old place and keep telling myself it’s ok for you to change your style. Does any of that even make sense to you?
P.S. Of course the bookshelves looks great though!
amanda f. says
Love the results! Can’t wait to see more of your projects!
ChicagoCC says
It came out great. Can’t wait to see what other projects you guys are working on. :)
Janette says
Yep! Those accessories really pop. Looks great!
Lindsay says
Looks awesome – love the depth of color! do you happen to have dusting tricks up your sleeves that you want to share with us? b/c all of those shelves do make me wince a little bit when i think of up-keep..how often do you plan to hit them with the dusting cloth?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Lindsay,
We use a microfiber cloth which kind of gets static-y and sucks up dust (no spray or anything- it kind of works like a swiffer duster thing). I’m used to having to dust my ceramic menagerie, so having everything in one spot is kind of an upgrade since I can do it all in one place. At least I’m telling myself that…
xo,
s
Margo says
Amazing!
Cheri@IHeartOldHouses says
Yay, I’ve been waiting to see the result all day…and I love it!! I only wish I had the nerve to go that bold in our house. Hmm, maybe I should add “being brave with color” to my growing list of resolutions.
Ally says
It looks great! I love that color. What a fun idea. I wish I had built ins to try this on–would have been great in my old house that had build ins in the dining room. Congrats on the new place again!
Anna says
Love that color! I liked it in white as well, but this inky blue really does make the ceramic decorations stand out!
Kelley says
Gorgeous! Definitely adds a cool mood to that room without having to paint much.
Alyssa says
So, so, so pretty!!!! Love it!! Looks amazing:) got your response to My comment on your last post, by the way, is there any way to know when you have responded to a comment I’ve left? Like an alert on my blogroll or email? Sometimes it takes me forever to find my original comment since you have so many great followers;)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Alyssa,
We used to have an email alert plug in but it kept crashing our site so we had to remove it. Boo! Here’s hoping we can figure out how to add it back in without taking down the site!
xo,
s
Heather says
I LOVE this!!! Sooooo cute! That color is gorgeous! Now I want to paint!!!
Stephanie says
That looks great!!! I love blue of any shade.
jenn says
love it!
Kasey says
Wow. I will admit… I was a little hesitant at first about the color in the first post but it really looks awesome, now seeing the finished product. :)
Hilary @ My So-Called Home says
I noticed your big clam shell up on the shelf. Are you planning to replace it as your fruit bowl or are you still just playing around with shelf arrangements?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Hilary,
That’s actually a smaller faux clam shell we used to have in our bathroom, so the big one is still in the kitchen full of fruit!
xo,
s
Clarissa says
The color looks amazing and the built-ins really do pop!
Would you ever consider making the desk wall in the office the same color (accent wall)? Or is that a little too matchy? I was scoping Pottery Barn and their room display showed a very similar use of inky blue to accent their white desk:
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/bedford-small-desk-set/popup/more-views.html?active=0#hero-image
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Clarissa,
I think for now we’re going to go with the same gray color in the office that we’ll be adding to the walls of the future dining room to keep things balanced. But you never know what will actually happen…
xo,
s
LindseyR says
Love the color pop!! Awesome job !
RC says
One coat of Benjamin Moore paint usually does the job for us if the surface is properly prepared. You pay extra for something – paint quality – I find Benjamin Moore paint is thicker and sticks better than other brands. (And no, I don’t work for them – I’ve just had so so experiences with other paint and great painting experiences with Benjamin Moore).
Gina says
Oh I love it. It looks amazing.
Melissa @ HOUSEography says
Wow! I love it – looks so amazing!!!
Carrie says
Looks AHHH-MAZING – PERFECTO!! I absolutely love the color and your shelf decor! I too have just started committing to bolder paint colors in my rooms…and originally I was a fresh, light and breezy gal…but I have to say that I love the change in my own home and I think you’ll love it in yours.
Hilary @ My So-Called Home says
BTW– I love that the paint color is like the “Big Daddy” to your office sofa color. Just beautiful.
Bryn Alexandra Interiors says
that looks awesome! It would look so cool if you painted your office (the room behind the shelving) the same color!
Monica F says
Very beautiful!!
I wish I knew where to start with color (maybe delete some color?) My WHOLE house is brown (walls, accessories, EVERYTHING). I am thinking about some gray walls, but I have to see what that will look like with all my warm neutrals.
Rachel Sisson says
they look GREAT!!!
Charlene @ Sweetchic says
I love this SO much! And removing one shelf to make it “airier” is so simple and yet so brilliant.
Sarah says
I love it!!! I was so anticipating this post to be wonderful and gorgeous…and it truly is :O)
Nell says
GORGEOUS color! I love that you are planning on getting down with your bold selves with this new house. I only hope the ceramic menagerie is as thrilled as I am.
Corinne says
That looks amazing! I liked it before, but oh my gosh, I like it even more now! That’s a great color. Very similar to the color I’m painting one of the walls in my bedroom! I couldn’t commit to a whole room that color because it’s so vibrant, and I really like what you’ve done with the wall and color to make it perfect!
And I agree with something you said in your other post about this – it’s just paint!
Veronica says
Looks great, love the color! Btw..What is inside that shadow box/picture frame on the shelf below the squirrel? I have something similar that I’ve never used becuase I don’t know what to put inside!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Veronica,
That’s full of wedding paraphernalia (our table cards, a swatch of our runner fabric, a lemon and lime napkin, our invite, etc).
xo,
s
Hannah S says
OMG — and I never use computer speak but, you guys are amazing! I recently became addicted to your blog and I can’t stop reading it… Everything you do is great and I am so inspired to doing things to our little house… I am working on a tight budget and trying to make small changes as I can. I am just so inspired and wish I had your eye and talent for decorating as well as the “support” you give each other… I have a great partner however he is just not interested in helping make these decision… It would be great to have someone to bounce things off… well that is neither here nor their… Once again you guys are amazing and I am in love with you/ your life/ family/ and all you touch! (Well love is a strong word, maybe lust but that sounds creepier.) And as another random side note we are getting married in June of this year and my idea all along was as it turns out a lot along the lines of your wedding (even though I didn’t know it) however, I don’t see me pulling off the same style and elegance that you guys did with the laid back, cozy, homey feel. Any suggestions you have beyond your lovely posts about it would be wonderful. Like I said I have become addicted and love stumbling upon new to me posts even if they have been around for years… the fact that you have links in your new posts to old posts is like Christmas for me! Anyway rambling to an end, you are wonderful… keeping doing what your are doing and if you have any additional low budget, fabulous, and fun wedding suggestions please send them my way.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Hannah,
Our advice would just be to find that inspiration item and keep going back to it. For us it was a set of lemon and lime napkins that we used to inspire everything from the table decor to the invitations and beyond. Keeping our colors and even our invites “cohesive” and tying them back into the lemon/lime theme really helped us. And when we decided to use lemons and limes in vases on the center of the table instead of flowers it also seemed to fit in really naturally. Also try not to stress. Whenever we were feeling overwhelmed we reminded ourselves that it was just a party in our yard. Lots of people host backyard gatherings that are affordable yet fun and full of style, so sometimes taking the big “wedding” word out of the event made it seem more approachable and do-able, if that makes sense. Good luck!
xo,
s
Breeanna says
Looks amazing as all your stuff does! I’m so excited to what you do with the rest of the house :)
Sara @ House Bella says
Beautiful color. I have a very similar one picked for part of our living room accent wall – it’s called Observatory (by Behr).
josie says
gasp! this. is. so. awesome. picture me leaning to the side and whispering behind my hand lady-uncle-rico-is-trying-to-tempt-to-buy-tupperware-by-throwing-in-a-model-boat style “i want that.” great job!
Julie Ball says
I love the paint on the built ins!
Sort of off topic but if you see this question -I am getting ready to paint fairly “shiny” ‘knotty pine’ paneling that coverst the walls in our kitchen and dining room. Would your “How to paint paneling” section be relevant for the shiny paneling I’m looking at?
Just curious if I would follow those steps exactly for the shiny stuff too:)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Julie,
There’s actually a note in there about dealing with the shiny stuff and a recent comment near the end that should help too. Good luck!
xo,
s