I’ve been desperately missing creative projects. The last thing I shared here was some of me and my daughter’s Bible journaling in March. I’m thrilled to finally finish painting my bookshelf for my craft room/office.
My dream redesign of this room started almost a year ago with this pin and its beautiful color scheme:
Stay tuned for much more of this work in progress. It will probably continue to be a long, slow journey, but I wanted to go ahead and share this first big project of the new room with you today.
I had an old bookshelf with a coffee theme painted on it from the cafe we used to own. My mom almost talked me out of painting over it. I’m so glad I did it anyway. It was definitely cute, but I really needed a fresh start with it.
First, I painted over the coffee stuff with some leftover paint from my living room walls. I must admit, I got a little emotional with this step. Closing the coffee shop was a huge disappointment for me, and this took me back there a little bit.
These vibrant colors helped me heal quickly though. I chose Purple Fury and Vintage Teal from Valspar at Lowe’s. One sample jar of the purple was more than enough so I have plenty of it left for another project. I needed a lot more of the teal for the inside of the bookshelf, using almost the entire quart.
Here it is with 1 coat of each color:
I ended up using 2 coats of purple and 3 of the teal. The inside could have used another coat but I was really sick of painting so I just left it. I’m planning to add a couple of Minwax Polycrylic coats sometime, but I want to see if I decide to eventually add one more layer of teal.
Here it is all decked out:
I love finally having a space to put that awesome typewriter I bought at an antique show last year. It sits perfectly on the top of this. Although most of the room is not finished, my desk faces out the window with this bookshelf to my right. When I sit there working, it really feels like the room is done, until I turn around…
I’m looking forward to sharing the rest of this room with you soon. Thanks for being here and let me know if you have any questions. Are you working on anything fun right now?

You’re so brave to wield that paintbrush, Candace. I’m a coward when it comes to choosing paint color … there are just way too many choices.
But there’s something about painting that gives a fresh start and that I always love.
You inspire me, girl!
;-}
I so agree about paint and a fresh start, Linda! I love choosing the colors, but the act of painting makes me crazy. I was excited how this turned out. I thought the areas where the colors met would be a mess, but they ended up ok :).
Love the bookshelf. I imagine that there is something so relaxing about this project because it takes you to your creative place. I do have that side to me but I am using it through writing currently. I can see some of these kind of projects in my future.
The relaxing part for me is when I finish it and can sit back and look at the finished project. The painting part actually stresses me out far more than it should :). I can’t wait to see some of your future projects, Mary!
Candace, I absolutely love this bookshelf! The colors are so pretty and fun! I am pinning this for sure.
Thank you, Karla! I was thrilled to find this color scheme for the room. It reminds me of peacock colors :).
Wow, what a transformation! What a gorgeous color scheme!!
Thank you for sharing the details! Great creativity. Love it!
God bless!
xoxoxo
Thank you, Chris! Many blessings to you, my friend. It’s so great to see you. XO
Love the new blog look!!! WOOHOO!!! And I adore the colors you choose for the book shelf. Beautiful
Thanks so much, Tammy! I’ve been wanting to re-do the blog for a while. My old theme didn’t have a mobile responsive header and it was driving me crazy :). The new one looks so much better on mobile devices. I also love having more white space.
Wow! Great job, Candace. I love those two colors together. And you have the bookcase decked out so creatively. I’m sorry you had to close your coffee shop, but I’m glad you went ahead and painted the bookshelf. I’m sure it brightens the room instead of reminding you of something you had to let go.
The coffee shop was a huge loss for me, Trudy. It was definitely time to let it go though. Changing the bookshelf has actually been quite freeing :). Thanks for your sweet encouragement!
Candace,
Friend I’ve got a whole heap of skills but DIY projects and home decor is certainly NOT one of them which is why I so greatly admire people who can take an art idea from concept to completion. Our God is so creative and fashioned so many beautiful things with His hands and YOU friend, created in His likeness are creating works of art. Be blessed.
Thank you, my friend. You definitely have a gigantic heap of skills, Tyra :). Creating is one of my greatest joys. I just wish I could learn to enjoy the process more. The finished project is what truly gets me through it. Many blessings to you!
I loved seeing the pic’s in progress. I’d love to have a room of my own and be able to decorate it. You’ve done a great job and it’s inspiring. Keep up the good work.
Thanks so much for your sweet encouragement, Loresa. I’m blessed to have this room to myself. It has been a work in progress since we moved in about 9 years ago. Everyone else’s junk kept ending up in there. I’ve finally completely claimed it :).
I love the colors that you painted your bookshelf. I so want to be crafty. I just got a sewing machine that I need to learn how to use. I want to make curtains for most of the rooms in my house. We have been here for 11 years and most of the curtains were here when we moved in. So it’s really time to change them 🙂
I got a sewing machine several years ago and never learned how to use it. I would love to be able to make curtains! I bet you will do a great job, Sonya. I can’t wait to see pictures :).
It looks beautiful! I love that the shelves are a different color 🙂
Thank you, Akaleistar! I’m really happy with the color combination. It’s a fun mix :).
You are a gifted DIYer. I am not so brave at tackling these things.
How are you Candace?
Blessings to you
I’m good, Ifeoma! I hope you are well. Honestly, these projects make me a nervous wreck :). Thankfully, I’m usually happy with the outcome. Many blessings to you as well!
Congratulations! This post is featured over at Diana Rambles this week and has been pinned in the Featured at Diana Rambles board at Pinterest and Twitter. Please grab a featured button via the post guidelines graphic. Thanks for sharing this awesome idea!
Thanks, Diana! I took a few days off and this was a wonderful surprise to come back to :).
Ooooh!! I missed this one! You are so gifted with this DIY and interior decor stuff, Candace! That looks absolutely gorgeous. I LOVE that typewriter!
Thanks so much, Chris! I was so excited to find that typewriter at an antique show last year for $20. I had been wanting one forever.