Today we're highlighting another DIY project involving our leftover wood from the playscape of the previous owners. First, CC Hubby made an awesome shelf for our laundry room HERE that has provided us with so much added storage that I could nearly kiss it. Then I asked him to get busy making us three shelves to fill up the dead space in this ugly eye sore in our tv room. Truth be told, the space was actually where the previous owner had a huge, old-school tv and we decided we did not want our tv in that area too. Why? Because having tv on the adjoining wall allows the person in the kitchen, doing all the cooking and dishes, to still enjoy whatever is on the tube. Really, it's just a better and more eye pleasing place for the tv.
So with that being said, we got to busy recycling that great weathered wood by sanding and staining it. We used the same exact process as we've highlighted HERE so no need to bore you with all those details and pics. We've laid out a quick step-b-by-step tutorial below to show you how we got from that eye sore to nice, structured and perfectly fitting shelves in the after. It's our firm belief that you can never have too much storage room so we're so pleased with this new addition.
Now, how to fill it? We're searching for the perfect size baskets so I've rounded up some great options, way below too! Make sure to shop those great stunners because every home needs baskets! Keeps everything organized and they look great too...enjoy!
Click Images to Enlarge
All the interior elements have been removed and now we're ready to prime and paint...
But first, that smart hubby reminded me we need to fill all the holes. He used this DryDex spackling and nail hole filler to make sure we had a super smooth surface to prime and paint.
Putting the finishing touches on the spackling...such a hard working hubby!
Mmmmm, already looking better! We couldn't decide if we wanted to interior to be a crisp white or the matching Naturalist Grey by Freshaire that we used on the walls. We opted for the grey (more on that HERE) as we had just the right amount leftover and still had a bit left for any touchups later...which is always super important.
Here the Hubby is busy removing the gross baseboards that were a creamy, ugly shade.
See, I told you! All the baseboard removed because we're covering that area with a shelf, anyways.
These shelves actually were previously the base of the playscape. Here hubby is measuring it all out and deciding where to make the cut in the boards. It was a near perfect fit but he measured about three times just to make sure his cut was correct!
Installing the shelves with a very sleek painted backdrop, I must say (that was my job, ha!)
So this was the first after and I just shrugged...after all of hubby's work I told him that I didn't like the extreme industrial feel because it looked like palettes on the wall. Ugh! Back to the drawing board! I then asked him if he could cut a front piece so that you wouldn't even see those bracing pieces. He was great and got right back to work.
He had to trim off a section of the brace pieces first. Why? they actually hung down when he placed the front bar across. This was a great way to a - still use recycled wood and b - solve the problem in a very affordable way. Once you see the close up below, you'll understand better!
Here's hubby staining the three pieces of wood that will eventually cover the front of the shelves so that they no longer look like palettes on the wall. It's amazing what this one step does for making the shelves a more sleek and eye appealing look.
Using a level to make sure that new front piece is level. See, doesn't it look SO MUCH better?
Here's a close up of what the shelves look like today. I blew it out via Photoshop because I wanted to make sure to highlight that gorgeous stained woodgrain.
And here's the big after so you can see what a difference those shelves make for this entire area. It used to be cluttered and an area where we'd just throw whatever we didn't need in the tv room. Now it's an organized space that we can slowly style as we see fit (including some sort of great basket system!)
Baskets We're Loving (because you can never have too many baskets):
(Click Thumbnails to be Directed by ShopStyle for Info & to Buy!)
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