BLOG: Bookshelf makeover

By Beatrice Moore-Nöthnagel on February 15, 2012 in Blog

BY: Beatrice Moore-Nöthnagel

I love a bargain. I bought this extremely heavy SupaWood book case for a mere R250 after an office relocated and chucked all their old furniture. Currently I’m in the “paint everything white” phase and popped in at Paint & Décor in Durbanville for some friendly advice.

BEFORE

Because the existing paint had a matt texture it wasn’t necessary to sand it down or apply an undercoat – I could simply paint over it (thank heavens!) I used Duram’s “NuGlo Polyurethane Acrylic Enamel”. Being water-based it is not messy to work with. It has a lovely medium sheen giving a light gloss effect and it almost feels like your normal enamel so you can simply wipe it down with a damp cloth if it gets dirty. Use a small sponge roller instead of wool as it gives a smoother finish. But be warned: to paint white over bright red you need at least four coats. Five coats would have been better, but I just didn’t have the energy – especially with a keen 2-year old insisting on helping every time she sees a paint brush! The clever guys at Paint & Décor advised that I apply the first two coats thickly with a brush and the final two coats with the roller, but I didn’t listen because I wanted a super smooth finish (in hindsight they had a point off course). In between the coats I sanded some areas with 100 grit sandpaper to get rid of thick blotches.

The book case feels like weighing a ton, therefore the wheels I suppose as it’s almost impossible to move. This means that it’s a huge danger to a toddler as it could easily fall on her killing her if she was to climb on it. Two brackets fixing it to the wall make the book case immovable. So much so that I can place glassware on top as it doesn’t even sway an inch. The two green figurines are sentimental because my mom gave it to me when we moved into the house six years ago. The brackets are not visible at eye level hence it doesn’t look ugly.

After 8 years of married live I still get flowers for Valentine’s Day – and Proteas are some of my favourites. By the way, I got this lovely turquois jug for a mere R120 at Boardmans.

It wasn’t long before Emma noticed the bird cage – luckily I don’t have to worry about the book case falling on her. Her own books also found a place in the two baskets which she can easily reach.