Monday, February 11, 2013

my family room thrifts

I wanted to share my cheap and thrifty updates to our family room.  One of my goals is to do my best to find thrifted items before buying new.  There is a whole world of stuff out there just waiting for new homes!


I needed a couple more accent pieces for my bookshelf.


I liked the shapes of these {not the colors} so I grabbed them and painted them white.


You can never have too many old books and for 2 bucks a pop these 1930's encyclopedias were coming home with me!

and the biggie...


The upholstery is in fantastic condition and it's comfortable!  The true test was J.  He dug its old school feel so it passed! 

On to the mission...

So I saw this...

source-Life in Grace Blog

and this....


source-Pinterest {original source unknown}

and this...


source-Emily Clark Blog


which lead me to this...
paintable breadboard wallpaper ........for just 39 dollars!

so came the paint......leftover BM dark storm cloud blue from the hall


and some of these.......because I want to have the option to take it down one day



This is before....





This is the after...






  I like the way the painted wallpaper adds a backdrop to my books and treasured knick knacks. Overall, it was an easy project that I would recommend to anyone looking for a quick and easy update!  

Thanks for the feature Kristi!!!  I should be mopping the floor...



Linking up with....






























34 comments:

  1. Your bookcase looks great. Is that one of your paintings on the bottom right?

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  2. What a cool and affordable makeover for your shelves! It is a wonderful backdrop for your treasures ~ totally fantastic. I have been noticing that the swiss mocha paint around my house is a really bland backdrop for my lovely things. The chair looks great as well!

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  3. You have done a fantastic job, love it! xo

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  4. Love it! The blue next to the white looks amazing! It adds depth and richness to your bookcases. Don't you love finding thrift store stuff to makeover? So much fun! I like how you attached the bead board wallpaper. Great idea for when you decide to go for a different look later on. :)

    Julie

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  5. WOW!!!! Beautiful job! t's got a very rich look. I love the old encyclopedias and the chair is lovely! :)

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    1. Now if I could just get a camera Wendy!!! Ahhh one day!!!!

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  6. Amazing! What a soothing space you created!

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  7. Wow! I love this! First, I am very impressed with you finding old books for $2 each. What a steal! And I didn't even realize they had beadboard wallpaper! Now you have me wondering where I can put that in my own home! Love the difference in the bookcase. It really makes things pop, and coordinates beautifully with your new chair! Great job!

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  8. Nice job! I love the dark backdrop against the white shelves!

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  9. They built in's look great, Nicole! I am in love with that chair and you can never go wrong with beadboard!! xo

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  10. We are going to install shelves in the living room shortly. After seeing your makeover I am seriously thinking of using a contrasting color too. Your shelves look so much more dramatic with the darker color Nicole. Great job!

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  11. Looks fantastic!! Where do you go thrifting???

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  13. LOVE that chair! And great job with the bookshelves--that blue is so pretty. I'm currently trying to resist painting any more rooms blue, so posts like this are hard for me ;)

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  14. Nicole that really looks great! What a wonderful idea.

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  15. Love the chair! It's so nice when you can buy a vintage chair like that where you really don't need to do anything to it. I also love how the beadboard looks...so sophisticated!

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  16. This looks so good! I love the contrast and the update of your fun thrifty finds! I am wishing I had a bookcase to makeover!

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  17. What pretty changes you brought to your family room, Nicole. I really like your new chair, and the painted wallpaper backdrops for your bookcases are beautiful. I need to try that for a bookcase in our living room--just not sure what color and pattern to try out there.

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  18. Nicole,
    Great makeover! The darker color adds so much more dimension and depth to the shelves. I have used the beadboard wallpaper in many rooms of my house (probably too many) and I love it everywhere I have used it. You are so right, it is such an easy fix.
    Cindy

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    1. I would love to see some of the rooms you used it!!!

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  19. Wow-your shelves look amazing! Great transformation :)
    Susan

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  20. Love it! It looks great!! I will have to remember that one!
    ~Julie

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  21. It just looks so lovely now! You have a real eye for putting together a beautiful display. The chair looks great, too! I would never have thought of painting the vases. What a great idea. Such a good job! xx

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  22. Hi Nicole: I'm sorry - I've had a crazy busy day and I didn't have a chance to email you to tell you that I nominated you for the Liebster Award until now, and I saw that you already found out. So, anyway, I'm so glad it makes you happy! I sure appreciate your sweet comments! -Derrith S. tiedupinribbon.blogspot.com

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  23. nice! i'm planning on building some built ins and i can't wait to try this

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  24. Oh wow! That chair was quite a find. :) I love what you did with the bookcase... Looks a million times better! :)

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