Monday, August 18, 2008

Secretary and Scrapbook Paper

The other day I found these packages of scrapbook paper at TJ Maxx. They were only 3.99 a package and there are about 25 sheets in each package. I really liked the warm earthtone shades and patterns of the papers.

This antique secretary in our bedroom needed to be cleaned out. I had not really tried to accessorize it...and it was looking junky! I had just been stuffing books and other things in it, and it really was overcrowded!
So I decided to copy an idea from some of the blogs I've seen. I know that Rue lined a bookcase with scrapbook paper, and Kimba has done one. There are probably other blogs that I've looked at too...just don't recall now!
And this is how it turned out! It didn't take too long, and I like the results. The color is actually more of a sage green than the picture shows. I uses double sided scrapbook tape to hold the paper in place.

If you want to try this project, here is a word of warning....measure the distance between each shelf. These shelves get gradually larger from top to bottom, and I almost cut the paper too short!

Here' a picture of the whole secretary. This is another one of my purchases at the Green Door Antique shop I've mentioned before. I put it on lay a way, and brought it home the day I picked it out. The shop owner knew us well by the time we bought this piece, and knew I'd pay my bill!

Thanks for stopping by and peeking at my little project. I may try to do the piece in the breakfast room next.
Have a great day,

Diane

21 comments:

Gone said...

Good Morning, Diane...

The Secretary looks beautiful with it's papered design! Everyone here in Blogland has gotten my creative juices flowing...again. I used to be "creative" and did crafty things...but got away from it. I'm glad I'm back doing what I used to love...and loving it again!!

Have a GREAT day back at work.

~Blessings,
Jan

Theresa @ Take A Sentimental Journey said...

Hi Diane , the secretary looks great ! I have been thinking about doing that to my china cabinet in the kitchen . It needs to be dusted on the inside real bad ! Maybe that will get me inspired !

Dawn said...

Diane that's a very clever idea! I like the look of the scrapbook paper in your secretary. I would never have thought of that. Just think of all the I could decorate with the paper gathering dust in my house LOL!

Thanks for the idea!

Are you working today?

take care,
Dawn

Darlene said...

Your secretary looks BEAUTIFUL!! I too have seen some of them done on other posts. I enlarged your picture to look around in it and you have many of the same books that I have read or have...as a matter of fact, I am reading Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult right now.

Hope you have a GREAT first day back at work!!

Anonymous said...

Looks wonderful! I've been thinking about doing this with the black cabinet in the breakfast room or the cabinet in the hearth room. I'm inspired!

Marie said...

The secretary looks perfect with the scrapbook paper! I think that is just what it needed. :o)

Have a fabulous day at WORK! :o)

Michelle said...

That looks great!! I think that I'm going to do my built-in shelves in my family room this way. Have a good day.

Michelle

Sue said...

Oh, your secretary looks so pretty with the paper background. I like the way you have arranged your pretties in it too.
Hugs,
Sue

Jean said...

I have a secretary from my Dad's family that is just like yours! Looks great with the paper backing. They are a little dark inside so lining it really helps. Great idea! Jean

Shannon said...

What a beautiful secretary!!! Love the new look too!

Tootsie said...

LOOKIN GOOD!!!

The Berry's Patch said...

It looks great Diane! Hope you having a wonderful day!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Diane!

I just gave you a freindship award on my blog this afternoon under the post "Catching Up" Please pick it up when you ahve a chance!

Enjoy your temp teaching job! My daughter -in-law will need a replacement for her first grade class for 3 months when she takes her maternity leave, so I fully understand how needed teachers are to fill in. Those trips sound like wonderful incentives too! :-)

Hugs, Pat

Anonymous said...

Isn't it wonderful all the gorgeous scrapbook papers out there now for us to choose from? And so many projects to use with them? I've got bunches sitting right here, and I seem to only look at them and not get much done. You've inspired me to get busy! You did a wonderful job, and when and if you tire of it, just bring in some more!
Brenda

Anonymous said...

It has been awhile. Thought I would run over and see what you were up to.
Looks really nice.

Nancy Rosalina said...

Good Evening Diane, OH MY, how I love that secretary. I like that scrap book paper idea too...I might do that one day. Hope the job goes real good for you, I'll keep you in my prayers...Blessings to you, nancy

Picket said...

Oh girl I loved this idea..that secretary is such a treasure anyway but the paper background just makes is really look special..I need to try that on my bookcases! Have a great night friend!

nikkicrumpet said...

WOW you wouldn't think it would make that much difference but it sure does. It looks marvelous!

Anonymous said...

Diane, I have tried to post a comment to your post several times today. Each time something came up. I really like the back of the cabinet very much. Your things look so much better. What I mean is, they show up nicer.

Thanks for your comment on the shower. I am relived to be finished with it, but I loved giving my special niece the shower. Actually, I didn't plan the food, I did the decorations and offered to have it in my home. It was a special day.

It's late, so goodnight, Jeanne

Alexandra MacVean said...

Hi Diane...thank you for your kind birthday wishes yesterday! :)

Anonymous said...

Diane,

That secretary is just beautiful and I love the scrapbook paper in the back. It's amazing how it brightened it up.

Gretchen