In the bathtub, obviously.
Well, I've moved a few times since then, and I've collected even more books (along with more bookshelves.) Since I don't know if I'll be using one of my old bookshelves in the new apartment, (not a place for it, really) I thought I'd show everyone how I spruced it up a bit from the $10 thrift store condition I brought it home in.
Awesome, right? Or not. But, it was big enough for all my books and only $10. So I figured if I ruined it, I was only out a few bucks.
First, I figured I'd add a face to the front. I wanted it to appear more substantial and permanent than a thrift store adjustable bookshelf.
I picked out this gorgeous deep and rich navy/royal blue hybrid to paint the shelves, but as you'll see, I didn't do the best painting job.
I wish I could say that I painted the back of the shelves (because I totally intended to!) but I never did. I was painting this giant bookshelf in my living room, with tarp covering the carpet, and by the time I sanded, primed and painted the whole thing, I was over it. I stood it up to see how everything looked and thought (for a hot second) about covering the back with some pretty fabric or paper. I then made the fatal mistake of putting some books on the shelves "just to see how it looked" and realized you could barely even see the back. It hasn't been painted any further since this picture was taken.
But... I still think it turned out adorably, and looked so great filled with books and stuffs. (That's my word for all the tchotchkes and knicky-knack things I just seem to acquire.)
(See?! You can barely see the janky back!)
Of course, by the time I was done with the freakin' thing, I already needed to start a pile or two of books on the floor again. (I have a problem.) It was kind of nice to get all of the books in one place, and see what I had and find books that I hadn't actually read yet.
I'm actually pretty sad to give the thing up. Besides the color not fitting into the new living room, (and I dreeeeeaaaaad the idea of painting that monster again) I don't really have the wall space for it. Of course, I don't know what I'll do with all of the books that were in it. It might be time for some new book storage option searching. Maybe just some simple shelves, a la Daniel from Manhattan Nest?
(Edi: just joking, those are a friend's bookshelves that Daniel based his DIY project on.
I apologize for the incorrect linking. But they're still amaze-balls.)
I do have one other bookshelf, the ubiquitous Expedit from Ikea, but it doesn't actually hold that many books (comparatively.)
(instagramed pic courtesy of my seester.)
(and also, this is a pic of my old living room, nothing is this put together yet)
So, we'll see how much energy I put into finding a new bookshelf/making the old one work/making a new set of shelves... One of those will have to happen, because I have waaaaay too many books to just stay in boxes like they are now. I'll keep you updated! (and/or draft you to help if I decide to do something dramatic/complicated)
love the pic ;)
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