How to Decoupage a Bookcase with Scrapbook Paper
It’s time again for Themed Furniture Makeover Day, where a bunch of us bloggers each share a new furniture makeover with a different theme every month. This month’s theme is Animals – there are a lot of unique possibilities with this one. At the end of this post you can see all my friends’ makeovers with links to their blogs.
I started with this plain brown bookcase from a yard sale:
First, I painted it in Graphite Chalk Paint from Annie Sloan and then added dark wax for protection.
I didn’t bother painting the back panels since I planned to decoupage them with pretty scrapbook paper from Hobby Lobby.
I grabbed my trusty matte Mod Podge and foam brush…
then measured and cut my paper with my handy dandy paper cutter (an awesome and pretty inexpensive tool) and glued the sheets in place.
And TA-DA…
You may be wondering “where are the animals in your themed makeover?“
I’m so glad you asked. There are several right here in the toile paper I used:
It has kind of a French look to it, don’t you think?
(HERE is the tutorial on how I transformed that beautiful chair next to the bookcase.)
And here’s your before/after comparison:
You know I love a good decoupage makeover! HERE is a desk I did last year that’s similar to this bookcase:
And HERE are 16 more decoupage projects for your inspiration:
I’d love to know what you think of my decoupage bookcase! Please leave a comment below.
– Jen, Girl in the Garage
Next up, visit my friends’ themed makeovers below:
Lindsay Eidahl says
I am loving all of these projects. I am so happy you asked me to join. Your bookcase is beautiful!!!
Christy@Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
Gorgeous makeover on that plain bookcase, Jen! Black and white is so sophisticated and classic! XO
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
Very pretty Jen!! I love how elegant it looks!!
xo
Nancy
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
Love those vintage style papers and the dark color you chose, Jen! From boring to BAM!
Susan says
You made the old bookcase look new. I would’ve just donated the bookcase to goodwill. It looks FANTASTIC!! Great job!
Candy Walsh says
Awesome job!! I have a black bookcase that looks to be almost the same size but it’s not real wood, it’s pressboard or whatever you call it. Is yours solid wood? I’m just wondering because mine need to be repainting and I would love to do the same thing to it that you did. Do you have any ideas on the best way for me to go about painting this?
Thanks so much~and again, great job!
Jen says
Thank you Candy! (And sorry for the delayed reply!) This bookcase isn’t real wood either – it might be the same one you have. 🙂 The Chalk Paint adhered really well to mine, I did need to do a couple coats though. If you’re wanting to paint it a much lighter color then you might need more coats. Hope that helps – good luck! Jen
Jeanette says
What a great idea to use the black and white papers to make a boring bookcase to classic! Fun tour!
Denise Hardy says
I love what you’ve done with the bookcase and the desk – I love decoupaged furniture full stop 🙂 The toile paper is gorgeous – it depicts so many things – I used to have a bedroom with toile fabrics and everyone who saw it loved it – this, also is one of my favourite patterns and defo – a very pretty French Style 🙂
Wendi @ H2OBungalow says
I love your bookcase and especially the paper you used! I’m a huge fan of toile.. I just haven’t figued out how to make it work in my house:)
Shelley says
very nice looking…
Amy Rattleff says
Beautiful makeover! You are clearly the Queen of Decoupage! This would easily fit in so many styles and spaces. 🙂
Karin Chudy (ART IS BEAUTY) says
I have got to try decoupaging yet on a piece! You make it look so easy! I love how dramatic the change was just by adding that paper!
Beautiful work!
Hugs,
Karin
Paula@SweetPea says
I’ll always love toile! Paint and patterned paper makes this bookcase look classy.
Patina Paradise says
I was actually thinking of using toile for my project cause I think it is so timeless and classy. Definitely doing decoupage next time. Great job.
Robyn says
So pretty, I Love toile! You really do such beautiful makeovers.
Marie@The Interior Frugalista says
Ha ha ha Jen, I did wonder where the animal was until seeing the close-up of that pretty toile paper. You inspired me on how I’m going to refinish a bookcase sitting in the bowels of my storage shed.
Kim says
I love the bookcase! I happen to have a “before” bookcase so this gives me inspiration. Where did you get the paper? Does anyone have a good resource for this type of paper?
Rachel says
You are the best ever at decoupage-ing furniture! Such an fun and classic update!
Christy @ Our Southern Home says
Gorgeous, Jen! Toile is one of my favorite prints!
Breanna says
This turned out so pretty Jen! Love the subtly of the animals; that paper is beautiful!