IKEA Billy Bookshelves Hack: National Wallpaper Week
When I moved into my current flat, I was surprised that although more spacious than those I’ve lived in previously, there were not many walls that would accomodate my row of IKEA Billy Bookcases (due to placement of windows and radiators etc.). Now although I have parted with the majority of my books, I still have some that need housing, plus the bottom half of these bookcases are where I keep pretty much everything else I own (apart from clothes and kitchen stuff). The only wall available was in my main bedroom, so in they went …
I don’t think you’d need to be an expert in Feng Shui to deduce that having that amount of visual clutter in a room meant for relaxing is not a good idea. I was contemplating various solutions, such as frosted vinyl, or replacing the doors completely with solid ones, when Graham and Brown invited me to take part in National Wallpaper Week. A plan started to emerge …
I did not find any convincing reports online that you could wallpaper over glass, but decided to give it a go anyway. Then began the task of choosing wallpaper — only a chore because there are so many amazing designs on the Graham and Brown site for someone as indecisive as me. Then I hit upon the name Marcel Wanders in the Designers section – I knew his work from an exhibition I worked on (and as an aside, he is very handsome! – see for yourself in this ). And then found this wonderful design of his called Heart and Tulip:
This carved wood effect design has a trompe l’oeil effect but is actually flat to the touch, an iconic design from Marcel used in furniture at some of the worlds top hotels.
It really is quite an incredible effect, and I thought if I used it on the top panels of my bookcase doors they might looked like carved wood.
I am a total wallpaper novice – the last, and one and only time that I wallpapered was in 1989 (!) when I helped transform the AIR gallery in London into a ‘Hotel’, for the Marty St James and Anne Wilson exhibition of the same name. Though I vaguely remember wallpapering it in some hideous flock wallpaper with a complicated repeat, it was so long ago that I thought I better call in some help for this project.
Enter my lovely boyfriend, who did all the complicated business of measuring and cutting:
When all eight panels were cut, we applied by spraying the backs of the paper with Spray Mount (Please note: this must be done outdoors or in a well-ventilated space), left it a few seconds to go tacky, then stuck the panels to the outside of the glass, smoothing out to the corners using a wallpaper smoothing tool. This worked remarkably well, leaving not a single bubble, and two weeks later I’m delighted to say the paper is still stuck solid and looking fab!
I also added some ceramic knobs to the doors – even though they did not need them practically, having push magnetic opening and closing, I felt they needed them visually. (These may not be the ‘forever’ knobs, as I have my eye on some others, see my post New Knobs For Old, but I had these ones to hand from a previous charity shop find).
As a finishing touch, and to unify the room decor, I placed a square panel of leftover paper under the glass top of my bedside cabinet. This was easy to do as I just placed the glass top on the paper and cut around it.
Ta-dah! Project “Billy Ikea Bookcase Hack for Calm Bedroom’ complete.
In case you need any reminding, here are the before and after shots:
Thanks to Graham and Brown who invited me to take part in this challenge, and provided me with the wallpaper to complete the project. I now have the calm bedroom that I wanted, and have been sleeping like a baby since. Happily ever after!
Twitter:
on October 6, 2015 at 7:56 am
Wow! It looks really great!! Good job 🙂
Thank you Polly!
Twitter:
on October 6, 2015 at 8:15 am
I love how you have transformed this,your bedroom certainly looks alot more relaxing and I love the paper x
Cathy glynn recently posted…My Sunday Photo 4th October 2015
Thanks so much Cathy. I’m really looking forward to seeing all the transformations this week.
Twitter:
on October 6, 2015 at 8:27 am
If I’d have known my hands were getting a guest appearance an the Molly & the Princess blog I would have had a manicure! Cupboards look great, has totally changed the room!
Your hands are gorgeous, and thanks for all your help!
Twitter:
on October 6, 2015 at 10:04 am
I love this paper and I love the look you have gone for. I have fitted curtains behind windows like this to hide clutter but never thought to wallpaper them. It looks really beautiful. And I love that you’ve tied it together with the table top.
Emma recently posted…National wallpaper week – creating a calm bedroom
Thanks Emma! I did think of putting fabric behind the glass, but very pleased with how this turned out. Thanks for popping by.
Twitter:
on October 6, 2015 at 3:01 pm
Great job, Molly! I would never have thought to try such a thing, but the effect is brilliant and definitely makes your room look a lot more relaxing. 🙂
Tom Briggs recently posted…National Wallpaper Week
Thanks Tom, thought it was worth a go as had to hide those books somehow so it was serendipitous that National Wallpaper Week came along 🙂
Twitter:
on October 7, 2015 at 10:41 am
Wow they look fantastic, great transformation. x
Caroline recently posted…Monday Mention – Messy Eaters and Clothes Stains
Thank you Caroline!
Twitter:
on October 8, 2015 at 5:14 am
Oh wow, that looks fab! It really calmed down the room too. Great hack!
Carin recently posted…Make spooky Halloween placemats
Thanks Carin!
Twitter:
on October 9, 2015 at 1:42 pm
Squeal I LOVE it! Goodness what a difference it makes and I would have no idea to even think of something like that. Fantastic X
Lins recently posted…Planning the Future – Utility Room Ideas
Thank you Lins! I really had no other choice but to put the bookshelves in my bedroom, but am so relieved now that I do not have the visual clutter of the books constantly present. It definitely does make a difference.
Molly recently posted…Sofa Sofa Scatter Cushions
Twitter:
on October 9, 2015 at 7:11 pm
Wow, what a fantastic idea, how creative and it really does look so calm and tranquil, well done!
Antonia recently posted…Flower Delivery Offer from Blossoming Gifts.com
Thank you very much Antonia x
Twitter:
on October 11, 2015 at 1:44 pm
WOW!!!! What a difference and such a calming space now! Looks fantastic and such a relatively simple idea 🙂 Love it, you must be thrilled. Great job. Thanks for linking up – much appreciated. Jess xx
#HomeEtc
Thank you Jess, yes I am pleased, though I’d really like to not have the bookcases in the bedroom at all – but have a way to go yet on my minimalism mission before all the books are gone 🙂 Thanks for having me on #HomeEtc
Twitter:
on October 13, 2015 at 10:10 pm
I love doing crafty things like this – I recently made over a few kitchen cupboard with some Orla inspired prints.
I’m thinking of how I can update our single Billy Bookcase at the moment…
Lovely post x
Thank you Katie. There are lots of Ikea Billy bookcase hacks on Pinterest – I do love these bookshelves but also think it’s great that you can customise them too. Let us know if you do transform yours!
Twitter:
on October 15, 2015 at 3:45 am
Looks good Molly =) I never considered applying wallpaper to glass before but the result look great.
Thanks
Will
Thanks Will. I must admit I was apprehensive that it would work, but it did 🙂
This post just arrived in my email from Ikea Hacker and it appears serendipity has occurred. I am staring at the two Billy bookcases that left my den, have now landed in my living room and have no connection to the decor whatsoever. The glass covered part of the cabinet needs to go, and I had no idea how to make that happen. My solution was to sell them but not an ideal solution due to the storage they provide in my small condo. But now….I have the solution. Heading to the Farrow and Ball website for the same wallpaper (hopefully) as it is the PERFECT solution and color. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!
That’s great news – love a bit of serendipity! Good luck with your Billys, and delighted to have been of help 🙂
Nice design 🙂
Maria V.
Thank you Maria
Looks Awesome Molly – clever you!