Monday, March 28, 2011

Makeover Monday: DIY Fabric Embellished Vintage Shelf

I mentioned a a few posts ago that I have an issue with keeping things my mother (a.k.a. Mimi) gives me to sell.  Some things just never seem to find their way out of my house...  Recently she sent two boxes of goodies over with the intention that they be sold. I really do have intentions of selling MOST of it... but this little vintage shelf/paper towel holder caught my eye and I just decided it was entirely TOO heavy to ship (that's my story, anyway) and it needed to find a new purpose in Dear Daughter's bathroom.

I forgot to snap a pic before Handsome Hubby sanded and wood puttied, but here it is just after he worked his magic...


It was a cute little oak colored shelf like it was (before the sanding, you get the idea)... but I have bigger plans.  Hubs gave it a light sanding to take the finish off and make it easier for the paint to stick, then filled any nail holes or obvious cracks with wood putty.  Now it was my turn to get busy. My vision is for it to match Dear Daughter's fabulous new shower curtain ...


I have quite a bit of the fabric left over, and that VISION in my head... out comes my trusty spray paint.  I painted a couple of coats of this pretty blue, and decided to paint the rod a contrasting green color, just for fun.  


Of course, you know this is likely to involve a little Mod Podge, which I used to apply the fabric.  I use the pastry roller (yeah, Handsome Hubby who is also the household chef was not so happy about that) to smooth down the fabric.  I have looked high and low for a craft brayer for this purpose, to no avail, but the pastry roller seems to do the trick just fine.


After I played around with some fabric combinations, I measured the inside of the shelves and cut the fabric to fit.  I also traced the top and cut a fabric embellishment.  Then I applied one fairly thick coat of Mod Podge, smoothed down the fabric and let dry for 15 minutes.  Finally I went back and applied a nice layer on top to secure the fabric.  
Here's the finished product... 


It makes me so happy when the end result turns out better than my VISION (not always that lucky, but this time VICTORY)... here it is hanging in her bathroom.   Isn't this more fun than a boring old wooden shelf?  It is so easy to make things for your home that are original and can't be found on the pages of the Big Box store catalog... find some ordinary and make it extraordinary.   In the wise words of the good Dr. Seuss, "Why fit in when you were born to stand out?"


More GREAT Mod Podge projects here:


25 comments:

Kathryn Dyche said...

Love it, great job.

Playing with Shells said...

Wow Kelly! Great makeover on the shelf! Your mom would never know it was the same paper towel holder.

CremeMagnolia said...

Kelly I love your creation and yes it's great when a project comes out better than expected!

SarahBeth said...

Love it! You are so creative!

Kim Mallinger said...

So cute! Great job on the makeover! I am going to need your help on the tops of Marissa's dressers this summer. Bring the Modge Podge! xoxo

Orangies Attic said...

Oh Aunt Kim, that sounds FUN FUN FUN!!! :)

Paige @ Little Nostalgia said...

How pretty! I like your creative use of the pastry roller, haha.

Unique Scrap Designs said...

Thanks for the blog follow!!! :)

Your paper towel holder turned out so cute!!

http://www.uniquescrapdesignsblog.blogspot.com
http://www.uniquescrapdesigns.com
http://www.uniquescrapdesigns.etsy.com

My Inspired Reality said...

Kelly, you are one talented lady:) Love what you have done with the shelf like thing, it is lovely. Thank you for helping me with my hairstyle:):)

Anonymous said...

Hi Sissy,

Love the shelf. Mimi told me to check out your post early this morning. I hadn't been on it yet. By the way, we are always open for a visit for Mule Day, Camp Liberty or just to see all of you.

Love ya'll

Aunt Dorine

Tau said...

Its so cute! Good job. :)

Anonymous said...

That shelf is SO GORGEOUS! I love it, and I love the colors you chose, too. GREAT job! :D

J.Crabbit said...

It looks great! it is funny I take a lot of time making things like this look like the first picture, and you did the opposite, I love seeing the process reversed, great job!

Orangies Attic said...

HA! J.Crabbit... I love them both ways, this time it called for a little PIZAZZ. ;)

Make It So said...

Woah! That's adorable. So bright and fun. Love it. Thanks for sharing.

Lulu Grey said...

So cute, the colors, the fabric - all perfect!~

Annette said...

LOVE it! Especially the fabrfic choices!

Anonymous said...

very cute idea! love it

Patty B. said...

Wow the shelf really came out fantastic! I always love it too when projects turn out "better than expected" - it makes up for the rest that aren't quite as we imagined! Hmm can you come redo MY bathroom shelf?!? ;-)

Erin @ MomsHaveStyle2 said...

Oh now that is just TOOOOOOO CUUUUUUUUUTE! I love it!

Angela said...

Very cute :)

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