Minor Changes to Make a Major Difference: Bookcase Edition
Changing the look of a bookshelf requires minimal effort and the payoff is worth your time in gold!
I spent about 45 minutes and only $8 on this quick task in my own home recently, and I’m kicking myself that I didn’t complete it sooner. Below is a step-by-step process on how it came together.
In my home is an original Globe-Wernicke sectional bookcase manufactured in the 1920’s in Cincinnati. Years ago, there were many different names to describe these bookcases – expandable, flexible, and elastic to name a few － because the intention was to stack and add cases as your home library grew.
They were originally sold for $75 each and have held their value quite well. A piece like this currently sells at antique auctions for over $900 per section. At one point, there were many different styles and finishes made between 1922 to 1942, but we are lucky enough to own this Standard style, Pattern #713, Grade 2222 ½.
While the bookshelf is certainly showing its age, I consider the scratches and watermarks character.
A few years ago I considered donating it; so glad I didn’t, as I think it looks very happy and content in the corner of our living room. My only complaint was that it wasn’t getting the attention it deserved – no one puts my Globe-Wernicke bookcase in a corner without giving it a whirl around the dance floor! So, I decided to take it up a notch. Give it the once-over and the love it deserves.
Step-by-step, I have been slowly making changes to our living room, swapping out bright jewel tones with more neutral ones and layering textures where I can.
As an interior designer to redecorate her own home is like asking the milkman to sort the milk! I knew I wanted the backdrop of the bookcase to carry a neutral, but not boring, look; which was the project objective. A quick trip down the aisle at JoAnn’s and I settled on a pattern using cool and warm tones, one that resembled feathers and animal print. (Hot tip: Anything with a subtle animal print is very on trend right now!)
I was nervous to make any permanent changes to this sweet little antique, so I constructed false backs and covered them in a neutral patterned fabric.
I did this by measuring the dimensions of the height and width of the back of the cases (the top case is taller than the bottom), cut out pieces of foam core, and dry-fitted them into the back of each case. The foam core pieces were snug enough I didn’t need to adhere them to the back of the case. Then, I wrapped the foam core with the fabric using spray glue, duct tape, and staples to keep it in place.
