When we toured this house before we bought it, this is what the bookshelf looked like. Trav thought that I would want to take it out. Absolutely not! I’ve been waiting for a huge bookshelf for all of my boxed up books! Sometimes Trav can’t see my vision…I knew it just needed a little paint.
My plan was to get this done first, before any other projects in the house, because I had so many books in boxes and we needed to get them out of the way.
I used a foam roller and a paintbrush for the corners. I also ended up painting that vent above the bookshelf with some extra white paint that I had so that it would be closer to the wall color.
All of my books fit! Yayyyyy!
If I was doing it over, I would have sanded it a little with 150 grit sandpaper just to rough it up. Lucky for me it was already a rough wood that felt like it hadn’t been sealed. The feel of the wood made me think I could get away without primer or sanding, and while it worked out great in the end, I think it would have been even better with a little sanding. There were a couple spots that came off and I had to reapply when I slid things across it. But, for the most part, it was sticking good.
I used the color “Maybe Mushroom” in eggshell, Glidden paint. I love the color! It’s a great creamy light tan/taupe color.
The color difference from the wall color is more obvious here on the side shot, below.
The evening that I had finished and started to hang up vintage art, I was sitting in this room and the light was streaming in perfectly.
I thought about leaving the track lighting here. I’m not a huge fan of track lighting but once the shelf was painted and all of the books were in it, it gave a nice vintage vibe. Trav gave it a “no”, so I’m on the hunt for new/ old lighting.
My newest addition that came over from the rental was this old concrete bird.
Now for more decisions…mismatched lighting or not? I found these brass vintage bedside lights at a thrift store long ago. I thought they would work great above the bookshelf! I only had two, but I also found this desk lamp at a thrift store this last weekend. Have you ever turned a desk lamp into a wall sconce?
The backplates on the bedside lighting is different than the desk lamp, which I actually don’t mind. I think it may be really cute, mismatched.
The middle light would be the one below, if we can get it to work.
I’m sure there is a way I can attach shades too or possibly use Edison bulbs. Anyways, what do you think? Fan of the vintage mismatched lighting or not?
YES!!! Mismatch! I love this look! And I’m honestly such a fan of unique finds and things that aren’t fully symmetrical! Do it!
I really like the mismatch. I didn’t think I would but looks great. Can’t wait to see them up!
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!
Um hi there. Love love love mismatched – but 3 different not two the same one different – I think to get the truly miss matched library look that you want you gotta do three completely different go together once… It’s just what my brains thinking whatever you do is gonna look amazing… Embrace the Trav fan
*mismatch- go together ONES (not once must period read ) love watching your mew home come along !!! This is fun
Oh forget it ! 🙄 hahah. Decipher
Love love love the mismatched lights but especially love the middle one! Great find! I’m enjoying your home updates. So much fun to watch the progress! Go Trav!!!
I love the mismatch just the way you have it! I think the curves on all of them brings them together.
I love the mismatch look!
I didn’t think I’d like the mismatch but I love it! You really are so talented!
I agree with Jennifer B. Mismatched but with 3 different lights would be cuter! Love the bookcase!!
Yes! Eclectic is awesome. Go for it.
YES! I love the mismatched lighting!! 😍♥️
So glad Trav nixed the trac lights. Love the mismatch and KNOW you will make it all work. Love watching all the transformations. The bookshelf is so, so good!
Keep going but protect your body. Take it easy when it tells you to. xo
I love the mismatched. It is going to look great
The bookshelves look wonderful and the lights just as you are showing them would be so sweet.
Mismatch! Yay! Have you thought about maismaychimg all 3? Whatever you decide will be great! So enjoying watching what you’re doing!
Trav for the win on getting rid of the track lighting. Love the mismatch and we haven’t convert a lamp to a sconce…yet but with that base should be an easy conversion! The bookshelves already look wonderful but the lights will finish it off perfectly.
Are you going to paint them the same color as the ceiling fan?
What ever you do it always looks good!
The bookshelves look great in the new color paint! I think the mismatch lights work. Excited to see what you do with these. Enjoy the process!
Love the lights such an outrageous mismatched set… seriously perfect !!!
But did I miss the post of the tree demise reveal? Please let me see it !!!
I love this house!!!
Mismatch!! Love this bookcase transformation!
Love the shelf and the lights!
Yes I love the idea of the three mismatched lighting!!!