Don’t you love how a fresh coat of paint can change everything? A few days ago I mentioned that we had this bookcase in our last two homes; recently it had been stored in our garage. It originally belonged to my dad and I believe he found it secondhand. We try to choose well-made, classic pieces when we can, so things tend to last a long time.
You might remember this bookcase from my navy office in our previous house. At the time I wanted to paint it, but it wasn’t the right moment, so instead I papered the back with maps to brighten it up. That was an easier update until we could commit to a full paint job.
We’re slow to make changes, but we get there eventually. Painting a dark wood cabinet white is a commitment and takes time and patience. For this project we didn’t use chalk or milk paint — my husband applied multiple coats of high-quality paint to fully cover the wood.
Here was the before!
I truly liked the bookcase as it was and appreciate the beauty of real wood, but paint is a great tool when you want a different look. I considered other colors briefly, but decided to match it to our walls, kitchen and trim — Simply White by Benjamin Moore — so it would read more like a built-in and blend subtly with the room.
Now it ties in with the feel of our kitchen and helps create visual continuity between spaces.
I’ll share more photos from different angles to show how it sits in the room and relates to the surrounding spaces. I think it looks perfect in this spot and love how it adds character while reinforcing the cohesive style we’re aiming for throughout our small house.
As many of you know, we’ve been rearranging and refining our home for several years. I usually have a vision for the direction I’m headed, but timing and trial-and-error matter. Lately I feel like more things are settling into places that feel right — for now, at least.
Small updates often have a bigger impact than you expect. My long-term dream is built-ins throughout the house, but for now creative, budget-friendly solutions like this make me happy and remind me to appreciate how far we’ve come.
We still have many projects and ideas for the house, but each small step is worth celebrating.
One more look at the before and after…
Update 2022: See this same bookcase in my new house!
Sources:
Paint color: Simply White by Benjamin Moore
Black wall candle sconce and battery-operated taper candle
Battery-operated essential oil diffuser
My All Time Favorite Home Decorating Book and Other Favorite Coffee Table Books