Why, oh why didn't I do this when I first thought of it? Maybe ten years ago? I was so afraid of feeling claustrophobic by taking up this whole wall. Like living with stacks of storage boxes was better? Not! So here's the big reveal folks, much in due to Karianne's urging to complete the Impossible Challenge!
I'm beside myself at having this additional storage!
If you didn't see my first post about how desparately I needed some storage in our bedroom, it's here. This is what we started with:
I used a vintage chenille bedspread for the table skirt. I simply cut a width that equaled the height of the table, plus two inches for the hem and another two inches to lap over the top. Next, I stapled the excess onto the plywood top. For now, the top is covered with a leftover piece of canvas. In the future, I have a plan to create an actual table top from pallets, but for now, this gives me a way to cover the plywood. You could certainly just create your skirt to cover the top completely. I didn't want to do that in this case, due to the bumpy texture of the chenille. I was fortunate to have exactly enough to wrap around both sides, with just enough extra for a small pleat at the corners.
Next, we created an open-backed bookcase. It was nice to have something made to my exact dimensions. I needed to leave space for our (hideous) TV, but wanted to utilize every inch possible. We just attached the top to the sides, then placed the shelves onto spray-painted metal brackets. It's ever so slightly wobbly though, so I'll probably attach it to the wall with another bracket, for stability.
And I haven't even bought anything specific for this bookcase yet. Everything you see here are items I just plunked on the shelves from around the house. I shopped a little bit for storage boxes, but couldn't really get a feel for what I wanted, and how the space could be used.
We're not done here by any means. The boards are a little rough, so I intend to glue some trim to the front edges. And for some reason, Home Depot gave us the worst cutting job we have ever seen, so they're really crooked, too. Oh well, if there's one thing I've gotten beast at here, it's camouflage :) I'm really so glad that we went to the extra effort to create something custom. I would not have gotten nearly as much storage out of a premade bookcase.
So we did it! What I thought was an impossible challenge, creating functional but also somewhat attractive storage in our master bedroom, has become a reality. Now it's on to the rest of the half-finished projects that are hanging around here. Thank you for coming by to see our new bookcase!
Joining Karianne's Impossible Challenge at Thistlewood Farm
Kim's Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Paula and Patti's What'sIt Wednesay at Ivy and Elephants
Overflowing with Creativity at Aimee's It's Overflowing
Mary's Share the Love at Very Merry Vintage Style
There's nothing better than good storage and your is fantastic! Love the chenille bedspread skirt!! Loved that you shopped your house too! So glad you took our challenge!
Kelly
Posted by: Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage | January 31, 2012 at 07:29 AM
Loving all that extra storage! And your box pleat is genius. So happy you joined us in our challenge!
Linda
itallstartedwithpaint@gmail.com
Posted by: Linda @ it all started with paint | January 31, 2012 at 07:33 AM
I think it turned out terrific! I love the vintage chenille you used.
Dee
Posted by: Dee | January 31, 2012 at 07:57 AM
I love that vintage chenille! And the bookcase built to exact specifications? Perfection! Great "impossible" my friend!
blessings,
karianne
Posted by: thistlewood farm | January 31, 2012 at 08:06 AM
Simply FABULOUS!!!! sending a HUGE CONGRATS to you -- vintage chenille -- i am in love! picture perfect!!!! : ) sending hugs -- your newest follower!
Posted by: andrea cammarata | January 31, 2012 at 08:12 AM
looks great! I"m tackeling one room at a time, for some reason I can't get out of the office, could be caue that's where the computer is LOL!love the way you have pops of color with the baskets & boxes
Posted by: Helen | January 31, 2012 at 08:27 AM
Two thumbs up! What a great transformation! Isn't it wild how we so fervently resist change only to find out later that we missed out on SO much?!?! Great job!
Posted by: Alycia Nichols | January 31, 2012 at 08:32 AM
Well done. I'm amazed at the creativity and skills of everybody. Isn't it great having extra storage. Congratulations on a job well done!
Posted by: Alison Wale | January 31, 2012 at 08:49 AM
I'll bet you are so glad you got it done, Andrea! It looks great and I love the way you've accessorized it. Love the baskets especially.
Posted by: Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions | January 31, 2012 at 09:35 AM
You did a wonderful job completing your impossibilities challenge and I like the use of the chenille. I'm now your newest follower.
Posted by: sherry | January 31, 2012 at 10:38 AM
Awesome!! So functional, and beautiful. I love the addition of the fabric stapled right on and your storage boxes add the perfect amount of pretty!! Great job!
Thanks so much for being a part of the challenge!
Karah
Posted by: Karah @ thespacebetweenblog | January 31, 2012 at 10:47 AM
Looks great and look at all of the extra space to poke things into! ;)
Be a sweetie,
shelia ;)
Posted by: shelia | January 31, 2012 at 11:04 AM
Thanks for sharing! It looks amazing! What a huge difference. I LOVE the covered shelf. I'm so proud of you for taking part in the "impossibilities challenge"! <3 from your newest follower and fellow {new} blogger :) Please check out my impossibility and follow back!
~Misty
www.413sparrowlane.com
Posted by: Misty | January 31, 2012 at 12:30 PM
It's so much better...and I'll bet it's nice to have a dedicated space to put everything. Job well done!
Posted by: Sherry | January 31, 2012 at 03:27 PM
Really lovely and so useful... Win, win! And a nice change, too.
Posted by: RHome410 | January 31, 2012 at 04:00 PM
That is so much better than what you were living with. (BTW, we've relegated the same model TV to our bedroom.) The covered shelf is wonderful with the chenille and so cozy! Let's hear it for more storage space!!
Robin
Posted by: RobinfromCA | January 31, 2012 at 04:42 PM
Wow this is great. You did such a good job. And aren't you going to love all the extra room and organized storage. I love my bookcase....drug it in from the barn, hubby thought I was crazy but after painting it I am loving putting baskets and sewing books on it. What a help. Gets stuff off the floor.
Great post.
Blessings,
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie | January 31, 2012 at 07:04 PM
So organized and neat! I need to do mine now!;)
Posted by: Pamela | January 31, 2012 at 07:05 PM
ok, the timing of this aricle is amazing! I have recently moved and have a huge empty wall in our master bedroom.I'm thinking of making it a little desk/office/bookshelf area. I see now it can work for me!
Posted by: Pam | February 01, 2012 at 05:56 AM
Fantastic job. I need you to help me organize...beautifully. I'm now a follower so stop by and visit. Love to meet new blog friends, Lori
Posted by: Lori | February 01, 2012 at 08:03 PM
Looks great!! Thanks for linking up! Just checking, did you see my Lisa Leonard giveaway yet?
XO, Aimee
Posted by: Aimee - ItsOverflowing | February 05, 2012 at 08:18 PM