I’ve been playing for at least two years with the idea of changing our red bookcases (inherited from our previous rented apartment) in the living room for brand new white ones with doors and a wallpaper on the back. Dani can certify that I can keep one idea on my mind for a very long time modelling it but never resigning, specially when it comes to decoration. I knew that I was completely over cleaning the dust of every figurine, book and decor item of our red bookcase and was ready to jump this spring for the project to finally have doors, but the definite trigger was thanks to IKEA when they released a cute limited collection called Brakig that included a gorgeous and super affordable grey wallpaper.
Our little helper always on guard when a supervisor is so clearly in desperate need.
I had some favorite wallpapers gathered in my Pinterest but since we had 0 experience with wallpaper I was really scared we could ruin them (always the scaredy cat), when Ikea came to the rescue it looked as the perfect compromise and we added a couple of (safe) Billys to the match.
You will soon realize how our experience with wallpaper rivals creating before/after project posts, we didn’t take a single before pic but we thought it would be fun to share the project anyways! You can take a little peek to how the red bookcases looked in this old post though.
To wallpaper the bookcases we used a glue that had to be spread with a paint roller (or brush), quite the regular stuff I guess. We first cut the wallpaper to the size leaving a little more paper which we afterwards trimmed when the glue was dry. We neither have a picture of us building the bookcase (b-a-d home project bloggers) but we just followed IKEA instructions and then added some kitchen knobs instead of the regular ones that come with the Billys because we like the golden touch. If you ever want to make this be assured that they fit perfect, just use the screw that comes with the billy knob.
A little corner in the bookcase dedicated to our wedding toppers, wooden Han Solo and Leia (with a large version of Juno on the back in a plate by Donna Wilson).
We have two literary vinyl figurines of two of all-time favorite classics authors, one for Virginia Woolf and another for sir William Shakespeare (of course).
Green fingers print by Eva Carot, since we don’t have a green thumb plants must be in paper form ;)
The decoration of the bookcases was pretty organic, using things we already had on the red ones but making sure this time there was enough room for the wallpaper to have more prominence. We also selected some of our favorite tv shows and only included our favorite books. We reserved more room for our travel photographic books (remember from here?) so the collection can grow.
We have pointed some of our decor items in the post, but if you would like to know the source of anything you see in the pictures, don’t hesitate to ask us on the comment sections, we always love to share our favorite artists or shopping places. Have you wallpapered a bookcase before? Are you planning any home project? Would love to know what is your next one!
Oh my gosh! Such a great idea and I love how it looks! I had so many books and figurines and such but decluttered and became a minimalist because I couldn’t take dusting allll the time. This is a great way to have everything and display them beautiful as well!
Decluttering is an excellent idea, with the things I had in the two red bookcases I was able to fill the new white ones (that are more spare) and still I had to add in another room a small bookcase with the leftovers which I should select & give away soon. Thanks for the lovely words!
wow, looks great!! and I’m impressed with your persistence. for me, ideas come and go faster than I can see ‘what do you think about this?’
Thank you so much Petra!!! :) Hahahaha, the stubbornness of Juno is contagious. I think that persistence may be a virtue but at the same time I also realize I might I lack the confidence to just go for it without much hesitation.
Oh this looks so pretty! I’ve always been wary of adding figurines or other decorations to my bookcase because I’m afraid of things cluttering up (and I really dislike dusting off tiny things) but this looks like a really good idea!
I like that it’s a good compromise between a bookcase and a display cabinet :) and so far I can report that dusting off has decreased heaps.
this is a fantastic idea! we have a similar bookcase in our bedroom (but we use it for just some travel souvenirs, and some box collection instead of books) and the background seems so empty! sooo this could be a great idea :) but I feel lazy enough for it now.
the sooner projec for home is to change one side of the wall in living room, maybe we paint it to green/or a 60’s pattern while keeping the other sides white. and also we want to buy artists’ paintings (of course the less expensive and younger ones) to decorate the “green side” of the wall :) we’ll see how long time it takes!!!
xoxo,
Deniz
Thanks lovely! oooh a travel souvenir bookcase, that’s nice! We have reserved two shelves for “travel only” but I have spread some of our keepsakes like a ceramic box from Sintra (last year) and the matrioskas Dani brought me from his travel to Moscow. Both the green and the 60s pattern sound perfect, I can perfectly picture your home in a shade of retro green shade :)
I am stealing your wedding toppers idea because yes!
xoxo Sara
http://radiumgirl.com
Please do Sara!! :) We bought them at an etsy store, can’t remember the name right now, but if you ever want me to search further give us a call in the about section! :)
it looks really good :) such a simple touch can make furniture so pretty <3
right! it’s subtle but you can definitely tell it’s not a regular billy bookcase anymore :)
Oh goodness, that wallpaper looks fantastic inside the white bookcases! I need to do that too, …maybe next time I move haha. I also love to have a little peek at your bookcase – I always love snooping around in other peoples bookcases – they’re so personal and fun. I love the things you have on display! And Juno is as pretty and cute as always!
We share the love for snooping around in other people’s bookcases! :) (and house decorations in general for that matter, ha!) thanks dear Louise for the lovely words!
I get stubborn about ideas too, I have a to-do list that dates wayyyy too far back :P But then I’m too lazy to actually complete the things on the list – worst of both Worlds :P
This bookshelf/display case is so so pretty, I love the wallpaper and I love the mix of books and knicknacks and art and photos :) I also love how it has some empty space too so you can see the pretty wallpaper behind – I rate this project 10/10!
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