I can now check off a third major project from my music room “things to do” list because I’ve finally finished the pocket door bookcases! I finished painting them late last night, and since things in my house seem to take so long to dry lately, I’ll probably wait a while to put anything on them. But here are my finished empty bookcases.
I used the same Behr Polar Bear paint color on them that I use on all of my trim.
Now if you’re new around here, and wondering why I’m calling these pocket door bookcases, it’s because those doors are actually installed using barn door hardware, like this…
And then I built the bookcases and the header above so that it stands away from the wall about four inches — just enough for the doors to slide behind the bookcases when opened. So now, those doors are basically pocket doors.
I love bookcases with decorative lighting attached to the outside (as opposed to utilitarian lighting inside each shelf), but I had a heck of a time finding something that I liked, and that was within the price range I wanted to spend. I’m not generally a big fan of the picture lighting style of lights, but that’s what I originally looked for. The problem is that every time I found one that I actually liked, it was way out of my target price range. This picture light from Circa Lighting was my absolute favorite…
But that light was just under $300, and I needed two of them. That wasn’t gonna happen. But after seeing that light, all of the picture lights that were within my target price range looked cheap and ugly to me. In my opinion, there’s just no budget option that comes even close to that gorgeous picture light.
So I abandoned that idea, and looked for sconces. Again, all of the ones that I really liked were very expensive. But then I came across this single light wall sconce when I was in Lowe’s, and I decided I could work with it.
It was $35, and what I really liked was that the shade can swivel back and forth just a bit, so the light doesn’t have to shine straight down. Since this was going on a bookcase, I liked the idea of the light shining back towards the bookcase just a bit.
So I used some 150-grit sandpaper and sanded everything down so that it wasn’t quite so smooth, and then I gave it several coats of Antique Gold paint. I got this at Michael’s, and the color is identical to the antique brass sconces that I have in the kitchen.
You have to be VERY careful when using this spray paint because it’s very thin, and it runs easier than other spray paints I’ve used. And when it runs, it’s very ugly and noticeable (much more so than with most spray paints). The first time I painted the shades, they both had runs on them, even though I thought I was being careful. So after sanding them down, I tried again and I did many really, really thin layers, and it worked perfectly. After it dried, it was so close to my kitchen sconces, but the ones in my kitchen looked more like lacquered brass, so I added a couple of coats of this clear spray.
It was perfect!
One thing you might notice is that the base has a hole in it at the bottom. That’s because this sconce has an optional pull chain. Obviously I don’t want to use the pull chain here, so I removed them, but then I completely forgot to paint the little hole covers. So as soon as I get those painted and clear coated, those holes will be filled.
And after I installed them, I realized that I didn’t have any extra light bulbs. So I’ll have to show you in a future post how they look with the lights turns on.
I’m really proud of how these bookcases turned out, and how the doors actually look like pocket doors. And I think they really help this room to look like more than just a pass through to get to other rooms. It actually looks like it has a purpose now!
If you want more info on how I built these you can check out these posts:
67 Comments
jason matulewicz
December 11, 2015 at 9:44 amStunning can’t wait to see your door handles back on with these lights!
Karen
December 11, 2015 at 1:51 pmWonder why you don’t put paper down on floors to protect them instead of redoing them over and over. Just wondering. Trying to suggest ways to stop redoing so much and often. Onward!!!!
Lavelle black
December 11, 2015 at 7:30 pmI’ve thought the same thing
Linda
December 12, 2015 at 11:11 pmMore than likely because she hadn’t done the floors over and over.
Rachel
December 11, 2015 at 9:46 amstunning
JONI
December 11, 2015 at 9:53 amLOVE IT!!!
Bonnie
December 11, 2015 at 9:55 amI am so impressed! So professional…beautiful job!
Rosie
December 11, 2015 at 9:56 amLove the lights! ( I would like the pull chains)
dana
December 11, 2015 at 9:58 amI’m amazed with every post! your projects look so professional. I still can’t get a grip on finishing the trim molding around a prefabricated door . . .
Eileen
December 11, 2015 at 10:00 amAbsolutely stunning! You do such good work, and I love the change-ups.
A thought on the speed of paint drying – is this the first time you’ve painted anything since installing new windows?
Lindia
December 11, 2015 at 10:35 am… and new HVAC
Trish
December 11, 2015 at 10:01 amAmazing! I can’t wait to see a picture from the front door to see how it’s all framed with the panels. As always this just blows me away!
Michele
December 11, 2015 at 10:01 amThis project fantastic. Very elegant, and I like the non-fussy light fixture you evolved out of the basic one. You must be so excited to see these excellent bookcases!
Sandy Poole
December 11, 2015 at 10:01 amThis room turned out gorgeous!!!…You should be very proud of your self! Such detail and great trim work, I love it!!!
SilvanaJoanne
December 11, 2015 at 10:05 amIt looks awesome! Great job!
Ardith
December 11, 2015 at 10:06 amAbsolutely phenomenal, Kristi. Everything you have done with this room is impressive. Those sconces add the right gilded touch to those gorgeous bookcases and the room overall. Well done you. Cheers, Ardith
Lesley Ann
December 11, 2015 at 10:10 amWow! This room is going to be awesome! Love your solution to the lighting. I would never had known they were spray painted. Can’t wait to see everything completed. You must be so excited😀
Cheers
Linda K
December 11, 2015 at 10:11 amThese are just lovely. I think this is really a shining example of your “style”.
Mary
December 11, 2015 at 10:12 amAbsolutely gorgeous. Can’t tell you enough how impressed I am by your work.
I get so many ideas from you – my hubby hates it 😳😳😳😳😳. Too bad for him…
Linda
December 11, 2015 at 10:13 amAnother home run for Kristi!
Gwen
December 11, 2015 at 10:16 amPerfect!
Susan
December 11, 2015 at 10:16 amAbsolutely wonderful! Now I wishe I had a place thatI wanated pocket doors! They are pretty perfect! Love your work. I love the art light. Will remember that when I am hanging art in my home.
Pam
December 11, 2015 at 10:17 amThe gold lights are really pretty. It’s just my taste, but I think something darker, closer to the color of the doors would have been a perfect choice. I do think your home is becoming a beautiful place and even the pictures make it look inviting.
susan
December 11, 2015 at 11:41 amDon’t forget though that she has those amazing brass peacock door handles for the black doors that will look great with the sconces. 🙂
Sonya
December 11, 2015 at 10:21 amBut how are you going to fill the holes?
Love the room, by the way. Beautifully done.
Terrie
December 11, 2015 at 10:23 amAbsolutely beautiful!
Lisa Johnson
December 11, 2015 at 10:27 amGorgeous- one of the prettiest things you’ve done! Love it!
jens
December 11, 2015 at 10:38 amFabulous job Kristi! Your pocket door bookcases look magnificent!
Andrea
December 11, 2015 at 10:45 amYou do amazing work. You are such an inspiration.
Karen R
December 11, 2015 at 10:45 amThose lights are fantastic and this looks like it has always been there, beautiful work again Kristi! Thank you for sharing your talents.
Nikki
December 11, 2015 at 10:51 amWhat a gorgeous room this is turning into!
Dee
December 11, 2015 at 11:00 amHigh end look! Really love what you’ve done here. Excellent job!!!
Sharon C
December 11, 2015 at 11:05 amWow, absolutely gorgeous!! That wall now looks a lot bigger with the new bookcases on it, than in the photo without them. You are such an inspiration Kristi and I love your ideas and work. You never cease to amaze me with your creativeness. Awesome job….well done!!!!
Colleen
December 11, 2015 at 11:17 amLove it and pinned it for future reference 🙂
Charlotte
December 11, 2015 at 11:23 amWow…beautiful…..you totally need a show on HGTV….you would rock!!!!
Marcia
December 11, 2015 at 11:25 amI didn’t think I’d like the bookcases. I was wrong! You’ve done a magnificent job, and I’m so eager to see the finished room.
Val
December 11, 2015 at 11:27 amAmazing! Bravo Kristi!
Guerrina
December 11, 2015 at 11:46 amStunning work of art!
chiflipper
December 11, 2015 at 11:54 amRe: extended paint drying time. Did you have a humidifier added with the new HVAC? Just a thought.
Bookcases and doors are FAB!!!
Shari
December 11, 2015 at 12:05 pmSimply mahvelous, Dahling! What a fantastic job! I love the lighting choice, too. I was initially afraid that the shelving was going to detract from those gorgeous doors, but instead, they frame it and make it even more of a focal point.
You rock, girl!
Hannah
December 11, 2015 at 12:22 pmI don’t often comment but I just have to tell you that this is absolutely stunning and probably one of my favorite projects that I’ve seen you do! WELL DONE =:)
Maggie
December 11, 2015 at 12:29 pmAbsolutely gorgeous! I don’t think you mentioned it in this post, I know you used the sprayer to paint your kitchen cabinets and prefer using a brush for furniture, so which method did you use on the bookshelves? I hate painting with both but love how your projects always look so profesional! Great job;)
Julianna Wade
December 11, 2015 at 12:44 pmYou’re amazing! Enough said.
Ellen W.
December 11, 2015 at 1:03 pmStunning is exactly the word. But I’ll throw in a “drop dead gorgeous” too.
Linda
December 11, 2015 at 1:05 pmMagnifico!!!!!! Absolutely stunning!!!
Gina
December 11, 2015 at 1:16 pmOnce again you have done an A M A Z I N G job. Can’t wait to see what you’re going to do with the walls. My vote is to go ahead and do the stencil black on black treatment. It will look fabulous!
Winnie
December 11, 2015 at 1:18 pmLove it ! But I miss the peacock door handles.
Lee Ann Perez
December 11, 2015 at 1:25 pmThat really finishes off that area nicely, Kristi. A room with purpose! As always your craftsmanship is excellent, and the design is simple but elegant. Great surround for those doors.
Ellen
December 11, 2015 at 1:37 pmYour talent amazes me. Everything is perfect. wAnt to come to my house for a visit😀.?
Nonna
December 11, 2015 at 1:48 pmI’m reading a book right now about Sister Parish…the great decorator who worked with Jaclie Kennedy during the restoration of the White House back in the 1960s. I’m reminded of how much of good design is purely instinctual…you r so talented
Barbara H.
December 11, 2015 at 2:00 pmWho could have imagined at the beginning, even before the rolling doors, how beautiful this would turn out? It’s an amazing transformation and well worth all the angst and delays. Great job!!!!
Genelle McDaniel
December 11, 2015 at 2:48 pmI hope you are as pleased as we all are! I can’t get over the difference you made in those light fixtures.
Mary Anne Looby
December 11, 2015 at 3:06 pmThey look great! I like the lights and was going to ask from whence they came, but then you filled us in! I have used that spray paint and it is like spraying water. It really can run if you are not careful. About the pull chain hole. Can’t you find a little jiggy who at HD that looks like the other two screw things and just gorilla glue it in place? A lot easier than sanding filling and painting. I am sure there must be something out there that would fit the bill. Looks like your next move might be the trim on the kitchen door. That and the hallway door frame would finish up the room, no?? Oh I know you have to deal with the black/not black paint issue, but other than that, it should be just clean the floors and put the piano back. Woot Woot, a whole room finished before Christmas? Gather round the piano for singing….what fun – Blessings
Cathy
December 11, 2015 at 3:17 pmKristi, you are the queen of millwork! I love all the molding in your house; it’s smart and classy and wonderful, and I am over the moon green with envy that you have it AND built it yourself!
I’d be dragging strangers in off the street to show off what I did.
Marianne in Mo.
December 11, 2015 at 3:36 pmAmazing! Had to show my husband this and explain to him that ONE WOMAN did this all alone! !You are remarkable! Give yourself a huge pat on the back.
Rebecca B
December 11, 2015 at 3:41 pmAt first I thought that the room was too small for bookcases, like you said a room that is just used to get to the other rooms. (paraphrasing) But now it looks like a room of its own! It’s interesting that your web site shows related posts and in all the pictures from past posts, the black doors are and have always been the focal point of this room. Your light fixtures turned out very professional looking, like you bought them brass colored. They will look good with the peacocks.
Lisa
December 11, 2015 at 5:36 pmWOW…I am speechless. They are amazingly beautiful. I can just imagine how you must feel when projects are done and you stand back and say..I did this! I DID THIS! 🙂
Your rooms are truly magazine worthy.
Sharon
December 12, 2015 at 8:38 amI love what you did with the sconces. Please show us how you fill those holes. That seems like a tricky task.
Joyce
December 12, 2015 at 12:50 pmGreat work, looks absolutely wonderful. I’d love to see the doors open.
Candace
December 12, 2015 at 9:57 pmGorgeous as usual. Just curious as to when and why you changed the way your doors were hung, was there a problem or was it a design choice that made you rethink how your DIY barn door were hung? We’re getting ready to undergo a similar project and had thought about using your DIY barn door hanger tutorial.
Andrea
December 13, 2015 at 5:44 pmWow that looks great! What a creative way to set up the doors. Awesome!
BridgetG
December 14, 2015 at 6:56 amWhen I’ve painted bookcases in the past and couldn’t wait until the paint totally cured (a week plus), I put down wax paper on the shelves before loading them up with books, etc. It kept everything from sticking and marring the paint. Of course, if your shelves aren’t white, the wax paper is visible. When I was ready for my first re-styling of the bookcase — off came the wax paper. BridgetG
Erina
December 14, 2015 at 10:17 pmWhenever I come to your blog and see your amazing DIY projects, it always me wonder if these are really DIY 🙂 They look so professional and stunning!
Monika
December 16, 2015 at 10:46 amOnce again, you amaze! I love that you break this down into baby steps and make me (almost) believe I can do it as well. I think you’re brilliant in figuring things out, in making mistakes appear almost purposeful, in working with what you have. I’m envious of the results but not of the process; I’d want it done in a week! DIY is not for the impatient. Keep at it!
The Cozy Pad
December 20, 2015 at 12:48 pmOh!!! I didn’t know your blog, and I love it!! This post in particular… The bookcases totally change the room’s entrance. It looks so different and so, so nice. Congrats!
xo,
thecozypad
Inalco
January 6, 2016 at 2:09 pmCan’t wait to see it done!
Katharine
March 8, 2016 at 11:11 amAbsolutely stunning! What a creative solution and so beautiful! Thank for sharing!