Transform Billy Bookcases to Farmhouse Style with Vintage Decor
I recently enjoyed a delightful lunch at a reader's residence.
Before savoring her superb curried chicken salad and dessert meringues, she showed me her beautiful home; our chat covered everything from wall hanging techniques to paint selections and much more.
She shared how each area was carefully and lovingly assembled over time, even though she is now preparing for a move.
I fully understand that sentiment.
Moving often feels like a mix of grieving and anticipation for what lies ahead.
She is currently imagining her existing furniture in the new setting and how it will integrate; I have experienced this too.
Indeed, I even drafted room plans to scale, measured every piece of furniture, and confirmed the fit.
It looked correct on paper...
but not in actual living space! :)
However, I reassured her that a house gradually becomes a true home through small personal touches.
We have resided in our small townhouse for almost two years now; it's the first home that feels so fresh and new!
It features attractive dry-walled walls, fine flooring, and heaters that activate instantly.
It was not a property needing major repairs, yet I struggled to infuse it with a feeling of home, prompting me to try various aesthetics.
I experimented with white walls alongside a gray accent wall, then aqua blue modern art with elegant small tables, and finally gold shiny accents complemented by string lights.
None of these approaches felt entirely complete.
The breakthrough occurred just a few days ago; after months of careful planning, we completed a long-held dream project.
Shiplap!
(See also: Crafting a DIY Shiplap Wall Guide)
This was installed directly within our billy bookcases.
The visual and atmospheric impact of just a few boards was astonishing.
Before the paint even dried, I retrieved all my cherished vintage keepsakes that I kept despite significant decluttering.
These included wooden storage boxes, aged books, galvanized cans, and china, placed out one by one.
Every item holds a memory of a person, a time, or a location dear to us, from my Grandma’s rolling pin to a 1948 painting of a friend’s father; each object narrates a story.
As I layered and fussed, I stood back and took a good look…
Ah…it finally feels like home!
I was so concerned that vintage items would look out of place in such a new home.
Turns out, it’s just what it needed all along…
I’ll be back later with all the details on how we hung the shiplap as well as the craftsman style molding to the tops of the bookcases.
If you are looking for specific formulas for how to style a bookcase with Modern Farmhouse style, these articles may be of interest to you:
Four Steps to a Bookcase You’ll Love by Thistlewood Farms
Bookcase Styling: Easy Tips and Tricks at CityFarmhouse
How to Style a Rustic Bookcase Like a Pro by DIY Passion
And below is a Pinterest pin you can pin if you want to remember this article for later!;)
