How to Transform Shelves with Thrift Store Paper!

Greetings Friends! Have you ever started a project with a single task in mind {rearranging the china cabinet} and before you knew it, a multi-phase endeavor was in the works? Seriously, tell me I'm not the only one! Well, it all started with a yard sale...


How to Transform Shelves with Thrift Store Paper mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com Vintage dishes and china cabinet makeover


...you know, the one where I scored my latest vintage dishes fix?  You can read about it here. I knew a "quick rearrange"  of the china cabinet would be necessary to do these beauties justice.


How to Transform Shelves with Thrift Store Paper mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com Vintage dishes displayed in china cabinet makeover

There is such a thing as too much of a good thing.  Sigh...even dishes--it was time for a change!


How to Transform Shelves with Thrift Store Paper mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com China cabinet BEFORE makeover using thrift store draw liners and mod podge.




Phase 1: I started by taking everything out.  I wanted to showcase my "new" transferware in a way that would complement my vintage china favorites.  I made room in the kitchen for most everything else. As I was pondering the blank palette, I had one of my Ah-hah moments, which of course put rearranging on hold.


How to Transform Shelves with Thrift Store Paper mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com China cabinet makeover using thrift store draw liners and mod podge.

Phase #2: Remember the pretty pink toile drawer liner, I found half price at the thrift store a few weeks ago? I knew when I bought it, I would use it for something special--I just didn't know what at the time! I measured the paper against the shelf backs.  In order for the design to be the right direction, it needed to be cut in halves but each sheet was enough for one shelf back. I even had a little left over, so this project cost me less than the $1.50 I paid for the paper! Keep in mind that the weight of the paper is comparable to quality scrap book paper, so that might be an option if drawer liners are harder to find.  {See the You may enjoy section at the bottom of the post.} 


How to Transform Shelves with Thrift Store Paper mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com China cabinet makeover using thrift store draw liners and mod podge.

Once the paper was cut, I poured Mod Podge into a cup and applied it with a foam brush to the back of the cabinet, 


How to Transform Shelves with Thrift Store Paper mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com China cabinet makeover using thrift store draw liners and mod podge.


smoothing the toile paper over the area as I went.  Love it! This technique would work just as well on book shelves. 


How to Transform Shelves with Thrift Store Paper mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com China cabinet makeover using thrift store draw liners and mod podge.

Now back to phase 1...I would like to tell you that after clearing out what I wasn't going to use, it all came together quickly but I'm going to keep it real! The truth is, I arranged, rearranged and repeated--several times. For example, I arranged the top shelf to my satisfaction and then decided that while the display looked fabulous, it would look even better on the middle shelf. During this process, I alternated standing in front of the cabinet, standing back near the dining table and even sitting down in the living room to compare perspective.  When my kids were home, my method drove them crazy! Even so, I am very pleased with the results.  Here's a view of the top and middle shelves...


How to Transform Shelves with Thrift Store Paper mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com China cabinet makeover using thrift store draw liners and mod podge.


...then the middle and bottom.


How to Transform Shelves with Thrift Store Paper mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com China cabinet makeover using thrift store draw liners and mod podge.

Which brings me to Phase 3 of my little endeavor.  After closing the cabinet doors, I realized the lovely new toile I added was all but hidden, so I decided to open things up a bit by removing the cabinet doors.  In the past, I admired the appearance of open shelving but hadn't found the right space to utilize it--until now! Here's the before:


How to Transform Shelves with Thrift Store Paper mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com China cabinet makeover using thrift store draw liners and removing cabinet doors.

Now ideally, I would have had this realization before all of my beautifying efforts but I didn't let a little detail like that stop me. First, I unscrewed the hinges from the doors.  Then I pried the hinges from the china cabinet and filled in the holes.  The following morning I touched up the patched places with paint. 


How to Transform Shelves with Thrift Store Paper mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com China cabinet makeover using thrift store draw liners and removing cabinet doors.

I am enjoying the open look so much more.  What do you think? 


How to Transform Shelves with Thrift Store Paper mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com China cabinet makeover using thrift store draw liners and removing cabinet doors.


Don't forget to pin it!

How to Transform Shelves with Thrift Store Paper mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com China cabinet makeover using thrift store draw liners and mod podge!

Have you rearranged and repeated, recreated with paper or removed cabinet doors? I would love to hear your comments! 

If you enjoyed this post, I hope you'll consider following by email--just add your email in the box as indicated, located on the right below my profile photo.  Also, I have recently added a new Facebook page and I'd love to have you follow, here! Thanks! 



You may also enjoy: 



Friday's Find: $5 Wicker Dresser  mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com Yard sale dresser upcycle with paint and scrap book paper drawer liners




Miss Plum Puts on Her Toile Dress mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com How to Mod Podge Fabric to Furniture





How to Transform Shelves with Thrift Store Paper mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com  Click here to see where I party!



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Would you like to comment?

  1. Inside and out it looks wonderful! Taking the doors off makes everything pop! Your dish collection is so pretty and they all go so well with each other....of course because of your expert arranging skills!

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  2. Cecilia,
    It looks just beautiful and those gorgeous dishes are showcased perfectly! Love the doors off the cabinet - I took the doors off two of my upper cabinets; painted the backs for a quick fix but I'm ready to dress them up a bit. I think I'm going to be on the lookout for some pretty paper! Thanks for the inspiration - I'm pinning it!
    Hugs,
    Cecilia

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  3. Love the new look. I have an antique cabinet that I leave the doors open to showcase my teacup collection. I took the doors off the cabinet over the frig to use as a display area - see it here https://frommycarolinahome.wordpress.com/2014/07/28/decorating-with-books/

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  4. Love the use of the paper and taking the doors off really showcases your dishes. I love how it looks. You inspire me.
    hugs,
    Linda

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  5. I loved the toile paper when when you found it and you have put it excellent use. Your cabinet is so pretty. Removing the doors was just the perfect touch.

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  6. The paper is so sweet and I love the idea of removing the doors. I'm all about changing it up and this seems like it was the perfect touch!

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  7. My barrister bookcase I had painted by a friend with chalk paint, and she took the back off, put lack on it, and painted through the lace which looks lovely!
    http://poetrose24.blogspot.com/2015/11/everything-old-is-new-again.html

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  8. Looking good Cecilia ... I like the doors off. Good idea to line the back of the shelves with that toile paper.

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  9. It looks great! I'm a toile lover at heart. And I love the open look without the doors. xo Kathleen

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  10. I'm in love with your cupboard's new look, Cecilia--and those new dishes are fabulous. I've never seen that pattern before. I'm going to have to keep my eye out...

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  11. Cecilia, love the new dishes!! You ended up with a gorgeous new look. Love the doors off for a change. I recently picked up some vintage paper at our local thrift and plan to line a small pink cabinet with it. Nothing as fabulous as this, but the paper is fun!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  12. Hi Cecilia, I am your newest follower. I love what you did to your corner cabinet, so cute and I like the color of the cabinet too. Your dishes look great in there. I just recently found some of those same Friendly Village square plates too, aren't they great?
    Have a great day,
    Gina

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  13. It's such a great, inexpensive way to transform a cabinet...and I love how you arranged the dishes!

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  14. Perfect choice for your collection. It really makes the patterns pop. :)

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  15. That paper is perfect! It looks great with your collection and with the turquoise. I can only wish to have an open cabinet of dishes. With four cats in the house it's pretty much impossible. I can dream though. lol.

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  16. I think it looks wonderful. Good idea on removing the doors. Now you can see everything and it is nice and open. I will have to think about adding some paper to my shelves.

    xo Dianne

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  17. It is beautiful and I love how you improvise as you go along!

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  18. I love the paper on the back of the cabinet. Great find! And it goes perfectly with your lovely vintage dishes.

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  19. I love the transformation and that beautiful paper. I see another project on the horizon with those doors:-) Thanks for sharing at Talk of the Town.

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  20. Really sweet! Love it. Your hard work paid off. :) Thanks so much for sharing it with "Let's Talk Vintage!" today!

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  21. Hi Cecilia, you always have a way of making everything beautiful. Thank you for sharing on SYC! xx Jo

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  22. Wow! What a transformation!

    Thanks for Sharing Your Cup!

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  23. Your collection is so gorgeous! I love how you gave them a perfectly pretty back drop.

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  24. I love it! I love your collection too. You sound like me. One thing does lead to another around here too. I'm in a small space and I hoarde fabric and dishes. Don't tell. LOL. I loved your transformation. Thanks for sharing.

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  25. I have the same Johnson Bro's set of plates! Love your collection and the paper really makes it pop! Thanks for sharing at Your Inspired Design!

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  26. Cecilia, this is so pretty. The toile paper made such a difference. It really made the pretty dishes stand out even more.

    Thank you for sharing this at TOHOT. :)

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  27. Thank you so much for joining TOHOT. We really appreciate you being here.
    I love the changes you made- the before was happy too- but with your beautiful collections it s all good.

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