In case you missed my guest post last week at Serenity Now, I’m sharing with you today. I recently did a little more sprucing to the sitting room in the master bedroom by lining the back of the built-in bookshelves with fabric, using starch. {I first heard of this when I saw Stephanie at Crea8tive Designs’ pantry} Our sitting room is just off the bedroom and the bookshelves are on the far right wall. 
A nice feature, for sure, but kind of bland as-is. So, I started by scouring the fabric stores and found the perfect pretty floral print. *swoon* 
I decided to paint the back and sides of the bookcase a shade darker than the room to give the fabric a nice color to sit next to. Rumor has it that after the fabric is applied, it is easily removable without damaging the walls. If I ever tire of the fabric, the entire bookcase is already painted. 
The most challenging part of this project was cutting the fabric to the exact width and length of the walls. I realized my bookshelves were the same height, but the one on the left was considerably wider. I cut my fabric into one giant piece before affixing the top corners to the wall with command strips. Then I used Sta-Flo liquid starch and a kitchen sponge to apply the starch directly on top of my fabric, really saturating it as I went. I used a wallpaper straightener to stretch the fabric to the end of the shelves.
Even though I didn’t encounter any air bubbles while applying, be sure to smooth the fabric down with the straightener because the next day I did have a few. 
Then I simply inserted the shelves back in (using one less than was there before to make room for some large photos I wanted to display).
I’m still adjusting the shelf heights and need to accessorize them, but here is a sneak peek. 
********** I’m sharing this post at these fabulous blogs: {M} Between Naps on the Porch * Making The World Cuter * The Girl Creative * Sumo’s Sweet Stuff * The DIY Showoff * Thrifty Decor Chick * Skip To My Lou * Keeping it Simple * Mad in Crafts * Super Stinky Boys * C.R.A.F.T. * Tools are for Women Too * Me Making Do {T} Tip Junkie * Today’s Creative Blog * All Thingz Related * Sugar Bee * New Nostalgia * I’m Topsy Turvy {W} Blue Cricket Design * Me and my Bucket * Someday Crafts * Domestically Speaking * My Backyard Eden * The Thrifty Home * Women Who Do It All * Gettin’ Crafty on Hump Day {Th} House of Hepworths * Somewhat Simple * The Shabby Chic Cottage * Beyond The Picket Fence * Life as Lori {F} Serenity Now * Infarrantly Creative *Just a Girl * Chic on a Shoestring Decorating * Decor Mamma * Remodelaholic * Fingerprints on the Fridge * Fun to Craft * Miss Mustard Seed * The Shabby Nest * The Inspired Room * A Few of My Favorite Things * My Romantic Home {S} A Vision to Remember * Funky Junk Interiors * A Little Lovely * Tatertots and Jello * Be Different Act Normal * Perfectly Imperfect {S} I Heart Nap Time * Under the Table and Dreaming
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I am so glad this worked for you…it looks great! I tried this once on a filing cabinet and failed miserably. When it dried, the fabric was stuck on really well, but there was a white film on the fabric 🙁 Anyway, you did a great job!
Perfection!!! I love this idea. I now need some bookcases to try it on. Love the fabric. It is very swoon worthy. Brilliant job my dear.
Cheers~
e
That looks awesome. Really gives the bookcases some added character!
Love it! Great job!
I loved how it turned out Megan! I might think about this treatment for my older daughter's room. I have a bookcase I recently painted that belonged to my grandmother that we are using in her room at home, but a fabric backdrop would spruce it up nicely!
It looks really good, I am LOVING that fabric!
This is a great idea. Next year I am moving two bookcases in the dining room and putting dishes in them. I am going to do this idea. Thanks for sharing.
Willow
How beautiful! I love the fabric you chose. I will have to check out that liquid starch!
This is gorgeous! It makes me wish I would have done the same thing with our family room cabinets because they looks so stark white.
That good great! I may have to copy that idea, if that is okay with you!!
Great idea looks amazing! I would love if you linked it to my linky party!
http://memakingdo.blogspot.com/2010/09/your-so-very-creative-linky-party.html
Lovely design, functional and clean- just like your blog design. New follower here, love your work 🙂
For starters I'm jealous of all the shelf space you have! This is a great idea, very pretty.
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I love this fabric, and what a great idea. I have a bland bookcase in our bonus room that this treatment would be perfect for. Thanks for sharing. visiting from Miss Mustard Seed.
Just beautiful, love the fabric.
Very creative idea with fabulous results, thanks for sharing the inspiration with us all
Awesome idea, and that fabric is gorgeous!
Isn't liquid starch amazing for decorating projects that are no-commitment. The fabric looks beautiful and really adds a nice finishing touch to your bookcases.
Brilliant! I want to do this on my oak built ins. My hubby says no paint and I'm not much of an "oak" person. Do you know if I can use starch on oak with out damaging it?