What can I do with this bookcase that used to be my grandmother's?

Question

This bookcase was my grandmother's.  Lots of special memories go with it, and I always loved it.  When she passed away I of course 'demanded' it lol.  I decorated it coastal chic.  Navy and shades of blues, Black and Gray/Silver are my other colors with Red as accents.  I want to do something special with it.  I'm counting on all of you creative people out there for suggestions.  Please note that the top insert is leather.  Thanks in advance!!

Janet Pizaro · Answer

I would research pinterest .com for visuals. They have numerous ideas on coastal theme furniture.

MN Mom · Answer

Are you sure you want to paint it? Would that take away from the special memories?

Midge Walsh · Answer

I would sand it down and stain it a lighter color but never paint a piece of wood like that it will take away from its glory

Roberta k · Answer

I wouldn't paint it myself. It's yours though, do with it what you wish. Just remember, you will decrease the value of it . If you still want to paint it, go to different web sites ei: pinterest, home talk, better homes and gardens.

Laurie Harry · Answer

I'm usually of the mind that painting beautiful wood is a crime, although depending on the decorating style, sometimes it's necessary and it can be beautiful. For this, I can see refinishing it in a light greyish stain or whitewash to give it a coastal vibe. Find some beachy detail (shells or driftwood) for the door knobs. One thought is to find a pretty wallpaper or fabric to decoupage the inside/back wall of the cabinet but that may be a bit too much. I would keep it simple. Remember, good wood/furniture can always be refinished again back to your original look. I am a little like you, afraid of my own intuition and think that I need to see someone else's inspiration. Just think on it and follow your own intuition. It will come to you.

Laurie Harry · Answer

Dawn, I want to add that I find that thinking on sometime for a few days or even weeks will help ideas come to me. Sometimes, I wake up in the morning with an inspiration- maybe my mind has worked it out while I'm sleeping.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

I agree on taking your time. I do not think painting is the answer. I gave you the site because of the coastal decorating ideas. Good Luck

Roberta k · Answer

You could make a bench that you put by your front door. Take the top off and attach it to the back to make it more secure. Make a padded seat to sit on. You could make a shelf behind the doors to set your shoes on or other accessories. I would use a vinyl material for the seat padding. You could paint the bench to blend in or make that piece pop with a total opposite color. You could also make a toy box. I am so sorry I didn't give you what you asked for to begin with. I love old furniture but it isn't mine. lol. I hope I gave you a couple of ideas that would be useful for you. Good luck. I hope you make many new happy memories for you and your family.

CK · Answer

Ya know, grandma loved it but she's gone and now it's yours to make it your own. With your coastal esthetic I'd paint it in a pale gray on the outside (yes, leave the leather top 'as is') then paint the inside in one of your accent colors (red or navy). It served your grandmother well for many years. Now it can do the same for you :-)

Debi53 · Answer

I agree with Connie. How can you truly enjoy it unless it works with your taste? It wasn't priceless when your gram bought it and it isn't priceless now. Paint it if you want to keep it. Then create your own familiy's memories with a cherished part of your history.

Jeanette S · Answer

With storage being at a premium in most homes, this piece is priceless. It would substitute for a sofa or entry table since it is not very deep. A couple of baskets on the shelf is a great place to put keys, lunch money for the kids to grab or to hold gloves in winter. You could even put some larger bins behind those doors for kids to drop their school stuff in when they get home so they know where it is! 
 Finish it in your own taste!
P.S. This would fit in the den, living room, bedroom, even the dining room or kitchen. It would be a great place to store the platters, big bowls, seldom used serving dishes!

Melanie ie · Answer

That's  a really beautiful piece... I love rehabbing pieces but this one I would leave as is. The leather top is a rare find- I'd leave the entire piece as is and place pics of grandma & me on it with some pretty flowers and accessories. .. you could even swap out these for seasonal decor!!! Oh you add some pretty white baskets to that shelf too!!

Patricia Norman · Answer

I agree leave the leather top. I would do dark trim and a lighter color on the rest.

Jennie Lee · Answer

I'm going to add this, since I think maybe no one is realizing the possibility of this: just because you want to keep the leather doesn't mean you have to leave it tan. If you do end up painting it, you could easily dye it a different color, like red. I've dyed leather a number of times, and it's easy.

Kimberly · Answer

This is apretty piece. If you can use it in your home, I would use it. I love woodgrain. I stripped a couple of pieces Ibought at yard sales and applied “Formby’s Tung Oil Finish.” It brings outthe natural characteristics of the wood. It’s easy to apply with a soft cloth (withno brush marks) and dries to a durable surface. You can buy it in low orhigh gloss and apply several coats if you like. For my own taste, I would buy acouple of nice pieces of the same type of wood, tung oil them and put thembehind the wiring, or maybe wrap them in leather to replace the wire fronting.
This maple server was finished 22 years ago :)

Jennie Lee · Answer

First of all, I've never dyed leather that was fastened to wood. I've dyed belts, a jacket, etc. There is a good chance the dye might go to the wood, underneath. So make sure you want it to stay that way. Of course, I guess you could always remove the leather and paint that area, in the future. Secondly, I said red because of the mention of a red/white/blue nautical theme. I would be afraid that navy blue might look weird over brown, but red wouldn't, I think. You could try it on an old brown belt or something. Thirdly, Amazon has what you need: Fiebing's Leather Dye. It comes in red. There is also a Fiebing's Deglazer, which prepares the leather for the dye, and you need to follow the dye with either Fiebing's Leather Balm or Fiebing's Resolene, which seals and protects the dyed leather. I haven't used the Deglazer (one reviewer said she thought it was nothing but acetone!) or the Resolene. I just used the dye and Leather Balm. Without the Leather Balm or Resolene, the dye will leave a metallic look, called 'bronzing'. It's like when you color something with a black marker; it gets a funny sheen. But the Leather Balm makes that go away. (I've actually used hand lotion, in a pinch!) These products are also found in some shoe stores, or shoe repair shops. I advise you to practice on an old leather item that's a similar color (especially if you'd like it to be red!) and read the product reviews on Amazon.

Dawn · Answer

Perfect! Thank you Jennie!

9530106 · Answer

http://www.leatherique.com/do_it_your_self_instruction/how_to_re-dye_leather.html Here is some really good info. I would not be brave enough to try it, but I am a perfectionist!

Dawn · Answer

Wow - great information! Thank you for taking the time to find and share it with me.

Johnavallance82 · Answer

I don't see this piece as Coastal - but there, I live opposite the sea myself, so probably don't need too. Unless you are going to use the grills to look like nets, with maybe fish etc behind? Or perhaps you intend to use it in a Bathroom where you could stash the Towels behind the grills? That would work!

What can I do with this bookcase that used to be my grandmother's?

Suggested Project Book

No Way! These Pops of Color Were Made With Dollar Store Items!

Other

More

What can I do with this bookcase that used to be my grandmother's?

Suggested Project Book