Refacing the Bookshelf

So, these days consists of building, projecting, and trying to keep some level of sanity. My house looks spotless for like 2 days, and then a tornado strikes. I'm actually behind on my blogging. I have the next 2 projects finished. This project has been done for a couple of weeks now. So, let's jump right in it. I finally finished refacing the bookshelf. Refacing you ask, is just that. Putting a new face on the bookshelf.

Awhile back I built a bookcase. The design was inspired by something I saw online. However, the original was all sleek and super modern...i.e over $1000. I feel like this whole modern furniture phase is just a way for them to charge you a lot of money for boxey shelving and uncomfortable couches. It looks cool, but that's about it. However, I digress, back to the bookshelf. Like I said I saw the design online, and decided I would make my own. Who am I kidding. I was always going to make my own. I just needed an idea of a design I liked.The shape was pretty basic, so I decided I would just go for it. I used 12" wide MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard - for the non Home Depot folks), and created it using a combination of drywall screws and wood glue. Then I painted it black to match the rest of my living room furniture.

For the most part I had no problem with it and it stayed like that for awhile. However, if you have ever worked with MDF then you know that the edges are very unfinished, and no matter how much sanding and prepping you do it soaks up so much paint you can never get a smooth surface. So, moving into the house caused me to finally take the plunge and finish the edges. I decided I wanted them to be nice and smooth and also wider as well.  The original edges are 3/4 of an inch. That was a little thin. I wanted a thicker more prominent edge. I figured molding would be the best option. I headed to Home Depot to find what I needed thinking that this would be a pretty simple project. WRONG! You would not believe how difficult it was to find what I needed. Honestly I didn't think I was asking too much. I saw all kinds of molding...plenty of 3/4" and 1 1/4" but no 1 inch. Really?! What a pain. I was going to go with Balsa wood from the craft store and just cut it to size. That was going to be an even bigger pain so I really wanted to avoid that. One day I happened to ask my boss if he had any ideas. He suggested door molding. It come in thin strips, and it's wasn't real wood so it would easily take the paint. It could be found in the back with the door frames. So, I ventured back to Home Depot and took a gander. However, I just so happened to look in the molding section one more time. I walked up the aisle, and was just about to walk over to the door section when I turned around behind me and there it was. Long 8ft pieces of small plain molding. Wow! Are you kidding me? Where the hell have I been. I have looked up and down this aisle at least 5 times, but never looked on the other side. I just assumed it was all expensive hard wood. I looked through the stacks. Funny thing is I have used this stuff before for another project years ago in where I needed to cover the raw edge for a desk. Go figure. They didn't have 1 inch, they did have 1 1/8" though. That was good enough at this point. I picked up 10 pieces, and 2 3/4" pieces for the bottom, stuffed it in the Corolla, and went home...feeling quite accomplished I might add. 

The pieces were pretty easy to cut. All I needed was a utility knife. I laid the bookshelf on it's side and then began applying the molding to the bookshelf using a mixture of wood glue and gorilla glue. I was actually pretty nervous about this being that I know just how heavy it is. Last time I tried to move the damn thing it almost fell on me. 

This is what I mean by MDF edges. They are unfinished and rough compared to the top

Now, being that the pieces are wider than the actual edge, they hung over 3/8". Since the bottom pieces can't hang I just used  3/4" pieces. Once it was done and all the wood was applied this is what it looked like.

 I let the whole thing set for a couple of days and then it was time for paint. I decided that since my living room no longer has majority black furniture that I needed to change the color. I wanted a neutral, but not black or brown. That pretty much leaves gray. So gray it was. I used a Hi-Gloss paint, and this is the finish product.

I know in the picture it probably looks the same, but in person you can definitely see the difference

I have started to accessorize it. However, I realized I don't have as many things now. A lot of the pieces I had on it before will be going into my office, so I've started playing around with some other ideas. I don't think I'm going to think too hard about it. I'll just gradually add to it as I see things I like. The only thing missing is the photo albums. They are suppose to go on the bottom shelf. However, upon taking them out of the box I realized how unorganized they were. Well they weren't really unorganized, but more so not so attractive. So, now a whole new project has been born. Let's not even talk about how that happened. I'll have to do an updated post once the shelves are more filled in.  

Glad I finally did this project. I've been wanting to reface the bookcase for a while now. It looks beautiful. So, now that that is done I guess it is on to the next project. Well actually I finished the next project already. Just have to blog about it. I guess it's back to the project after that....painting the living room walls. Definitely can't wait for that to be over with. I hate painting walls. I'm never tall enough to reach the entire thing so it requires lots of ladders and step stools. Stepping up, then back down, using the paint brush, then back down to get the roller, trying not to fall, and picking dripped paint out of my freshly washed curls (Don't ask!)...yes it all sounds so fun, but it's the life I lead. Until the next project folks!