Guys, time for another update on our library built-in shelves!! So as many of you had guessed I decided to re-paint our shelves. If you’ve been following along on Instagram you know I’ve been having some trouble with finding the right paint colors lately. While I absolutely loved the blue-gray paint, it just wasn’t quite right in our house. I definitely think it could look really gorgeous in someone else’s home or in another area of our home, but it pulled too green in our library and didn’t give the look I was hoping for … So I decided to repaint the shelves!

This was the color before:

& now…

We chose to repaint our shelves with Shadow White by Farrow and Ball! We liked this color because it is white but a touch warmer than the other whites we use in our home. I wanted the built-in shelves to have some contrast from the walls of our home but still fit my style. I originally was inspired to paint the built-ins so that they would look like a true piece of furniture custom to our home. I truly feel like repainting these shelves brought the cottage vibe back into our library and made it feel more natural! When I was trying to find a new paint color I read the description of Shadow White & it sounded exactly like what I wanted the shelves to look like. I was so happy to see that it turned out exactly how I was picturing it on our shelves! This room is FAR FROM DONE [see to-do list below] but we are making progress…

Shadow White Description:

“Shadow White takes its name from the soft tone created when whites are used in shaded areas, bringing out the slightest hint of grey. For devotees of lighter neutrals on both walls and woodwork, this versatile and understated color works brilliantly in any style of home. It has none of the perceived yellow of Slipper Satin and is the perfect contrast to the slightly darker Shaded White.”

One thing I love about painting is that it doesn’t have to be a permanent decision. You can sample it in a small spot & live with it for a few days before making your decision [which is probably what I should have done when I painted the shelves the first time]. But even if you paint the whole thing [like I did] and end up not liking it you can always repaint. Overall I am really glad I tested the Blue Gray paint on our shelves even though I didn’t love it in the end. I think the Blue Gray was a gorgeous color & hope to find a spot to use that in our house that won’t be quite as big of a statement as the library shelves are!

Some Things I have yet to-do to the built-ins:

• Plug all the holes for the adjustable shelves and paint the plus
• Put electrical plug covers on all of the newly added outlets
• Put the ladder and ladder hardware back up
• Add hardware to the cabinet doors

When it comes to transforming a space on a budget painting is my number one recommendation! A fresh coat of paint can completely transform the way your space feels and looks. As a huge bonus paint is a pretty budget-friendly way to update any room in your home. I shared all about the different types of paints I use in our home & why over on the blog here if you are looking for more painting tips!

I hope this gives you some insight into why we decided to change up the paint on our library built-in shelves again! You guys were pretty much split down the middle on whether you prefer the shelves white or blue-gray so I’m really glad I decided to give it a try. Part of this interior design world is experimenting and trying things that might not work! I hope that taking you along this journey of trial and error on our painted shelves helps you know you aren’t alone when trying something new & it didn’t quite work. Thank you so much for stopping by the blog today and every day.

xx liz marie