Bookcase Makeover

Inexpensive pine panels and rope add rustic charm to built-in units.

Glass shelves and crisp white molding call for something elegant to display. So when this couple found themselves faced with built-in bookcases that were too upscale for their tastes, the husband cleverly made them over into the perfect setting for a down-to-earth collection of books and knickknacks. His weekend project, inexpensive and simple, provided a dramatic change.

The homeowner removed the glass shelves and added pine paneling to the back of each bookcase. He attached the panels edge to edge with wood glue and positioned them so the end-grain alternates from panel to panel. This keeps the wood from curving in one direction over time. (To avoid the extra work of gluing separate pieces, you can also buy a sheet of cabinet-grade plywood.)

With a router, the homeowner created evenly spaced insets in the panels, applied stain, and attached lengths of rope with a glue gun. He then slid the paneling into the backs of the bookcases and replaced the original glass shelves with wooden ones that he painted white to match the molding.

The natural grain of the pine panels made a perfect backdrop for fishing and hunting memorabilia and other nature-inspired accessories.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Oct 2004
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