This midcentury bookcase was an impulse buy, but for $12 how could I pass it up? You really can’t go wrong with buying a vintage bookcase to upcycle; almost everyone needs more shelf space in their home.
As it waited for its update, I considered decoupaging paper onto the back like this bookcase makeover I did a couple years ago. But I really wanted to do something different this time.
Thankfully I had another idea: A faux card catalog.
Guy in the Garage measured the front side of the bookcase and cut a board for me, which would become the door. I had some thin balsa wood rectangles leftover from another project so I measured and marked exactly where they’d go on the door. (If you look closely you can see my pencil marks below.)
** Guys, it’s Furniture Fixer Uppers day with some of my blogging friends – be sure to check out their makeovers at the end of this post! Also, some affiliate links are included in this post so that you can easily find some of the products that I use and recommend. Thank you.
I dabbed my favorite super glue on and then set heavy books on top of all the panels overnight.
After the glue was dry, hubs took it outside and stained it with Minwax Espresso.
Then it was time to see my idea come to life. Each panel got a card catalog drawer pull (available Here) – it didn’t take too long to attach 32 tiny screws. My Black+Decker drill/driver (available Here) worked very well for the job.
The bookcase was painted in Fusion Mineral Paint – Raw Silk. Finally, the door was attached with two hinges inside (the trickiest part of this entire project) and I added a magnetic closure inside the top of the bookcase.
And here she is….
Here’s a peek inside…
Here’s a better view inside of the hinges and magnetic closure. In the process of adding the hinges, hubs tried removing the back of the bookcase and it ended up breaking, so he cut and stained a brand new back for it too. 🙂 (The original back had been painted in Raw Silk also, but I do really like the new stained back!)
The drawer pulls are pretty fantastic. You can find them Here, very reasonably priced. 🙂 Should I put labels inside? What do you think they should say?
A midcentury bookcase/faux card catalog calls for vintage bottles and succulents, right?
Even though the hinges were tricky, I love this little upcycled bookcase. It’s definitely going to be a conversation piece in someone’s home – maybe yours? 🙂 I’ll have it with me at the Hunt and Gather Market – September 15-16 in Crown Point, Indiana.
If this faux card catalog bookcase makeover has inspired you, I’d so appreciate if you’d Pin it or share it with someone else – thank you! <3
Friends, don’t forget it’s Furniture Fixer Upper day! Let’s see the latest furniture makeovers from my blogging friends…
Below are the Before photos – click the links underneath to see the After photos and learn how they transformed it.
1. The Interior Frugalista
2. Just The Woods
3. Petticoat Junktion
4. Confessions of a Serial DIYer
5. Prodigal Pieces
You might also like these similar makeovers…
Faux Industrial Printer’s Cabinet Dresser
Kandice says
Eeeeek I love this so much. It’s perfect!
Mary says
That is such a cool upcycle. Love how you made that faux card catalog door.
Mary recently posted…16 Fun and Easy Back to School DIY Gift Ideas
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
What a fun update, Jen! Love the new look – so chic.
Paula says
Love the new look! If you hadn’t told me, I would have thought that this was a real card catalog.
Paula recently posted…Pumpkin Honey Beer Bread
Rebecca - Knoxville,TN says
Wow! Love It!
Lori says
Love it…
gwen says
love the idea of the faux drawers! painting the bookshelf white really setoff the rest of the piece. love it!
Marie says
Jen, I love what you did with this MCM Bookcase! Such a great idea. Business in the front, party in the back!
Jen says
LOL! Thank you Marie! xo
Jeannie says
WoW! I would have never (as in NEVER) thought to do this. It’s Fantabulous. Love it!!!
Jen says
Thank you so much, Jeannie!!
Robyn D Wright says
Yes on labels just like a real one. A-B, C-D, E-F, etc…
Jen says
Thanks Robyn! I may do it like that 🙂
Hope says
Incredible! I’m with Jeannie, never ever would have thunk this one up! Great work ! ❤️
Barb says
Gorgeous reno! Love card catalog cabinets anyway. And, DEFINITELY – I’d put labels on them – fool someone even more with “History, Science, Fiction, Autobiographies, etc.” You’ve done a great job.
Valarie says
Are you some kind of diabolical genius? Pinning duh!
Jen says
Haha! Thank you Valarie! 🙂
[email protected] of Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
I LOVE this, Jen!! Adding the door took it to a whole new level!! XOXO
[email protected] of Serial Do-it-Yourselfer recently posted…Pedestal Kitchen Table Makeover
Jen says
Thanks so much Christy! xo
Kathy Owen says
Wow, Jen that is amazing. You really had a vision.
Kathy Owen recently posted…Butlers Antiques Hopkinsville Kentucky | Junky Flower Pots
Jen says
Thank you Kathy! xo