• Home
  • About
    • About Crafts by Amanda
    • Visit Our Recipe Site
  • Work With Us
  • Join
    • Free Newsletters
    • Join our Facebook craft group
↑
  • Tutorials
    • Tutorial Index
    • Adult Crafts
    • Crafts for Kids
    • Crafts for Seniors
    • Recycled Crafts
    • Seasonal Crafts
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Free Printables
    • Craft Collections
  • Adult Crafts
    • Bath & Body
    • Beach Crafts
    • Clay Pot Crafts
    • Crafts for Seniors
    • Decoupage Crafts for Adults
    • DIY Gift ideas
    • Garden Crafts
    • Home Decor Projects
    • Kitchen Crafts
    • Light Bulb Crafts
    • Luminary Crafts
    • Mason Jar Crafts
    • Needlework
    • Photo Display Ideas
    • Recycled Crafts for Adults
    • Wearable Crafts for Adults
  • Crafts for Kids
    • Animal Crafts for Kids
    • Back to School Crafts
    • Beach Crafts for Kids
    • Camp Crafts
    • Cardboard Tube Crafts for Kids
    • Decoupage Crafts for Kids
    • Easy Crafts for Kids
    • Nature Crafts for Kids
    • Other Kid’s Crafts
    • Paper Plate Crafts for Kids
    • Recycled Crafts for Kids
    • Slimes, Doughs, & Clay
    • Wearable Crafts for Kids
  • Holiday Crafts
    • 4th of July Crafts
    • Christmas Crafts
    • DIY Gift ideas
    • Earth Day Crafts
    • Easter Crafts
    • Father’s Day Crafts
    • Halloween Crafts
    • Memorial Day Crafts
    • Mother’s Day Crafts
    • New Year’s
    • Other Holidays
    • Patriot Day Crafts
    • St. Patrick’s Day Crafts
    • Thanksgiving Crafts
    • Valentine’s Day Crafts
  • Seasonal Crafts
    • Winter Crafts
    • Spring Crafts
    • Summer Crafts
    • Fall Crafts
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Crafts by Amanda

crafts for adults and kid's crafts

  • Tutorials
    • Tutorial Index
    • Adult Crafts
    • Crafts for Kids
    • Crafts for Seniors
    • Recycled Crafts
    • Seasonal Crafts
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Free Printables
    • Craft Collections
  • Adult Crafts
    • Bath & Body
    • Beach Crafts
    • Clay Pot Crafts
    • Crafts for Seniors
    • Decoupage Crafts for Adults
    • DIY Gift ideas
    • Garden Crafts
    • Home Decor Projects
    • Kitchen Crafts
    • Light Bulb Crafts
    • Luminary Crafts
    • Mason Jar Crafts
    • Needlework
    • Photo Display Ideas
    • Recycled Crafts for Adults
    • Wearable Crafts for Adults
  • Crafts for Kids
    • Animal Crafts for Kids
    • Back to School Crafts
    • Beach Crafts for Kids
    • Camp Crafts
    • Cardboard Tube Crafts for Kids
    • Decoupage Crafts for Kids
    • Easy Crafts for Kids
    • Nature Crafts for Kids
    • Other Kid’s Crafts
    • Paper Plate Crafts for Kids
    • Recycled Crafts for Kids
    • Slimes, Doughs, & Clay
    • Wearable Crafts for Kids
  • Holiday Crafts
    • 4th of July Crafts
    • Christmas Crafts
    • DIY Gift ideas
    • Earth Day Crafts
    • Easter Crafts
    • Father’s Day Crafts
    • Halloween Crafts
    • Memorial Day Crafts
    • Mother’s Day Crafts
    • New Year’s
    • Other Holidays
    • Patriot Day Crafts
    • St. Patrick’s Day Crafts
    • Thanksgiving Crafts
    • Valentine’s Day Crafts
  • Seasonal Crafts
    • Winter Crafts
    • Spring Crafts
    • Summer Crafts
    • Fall Crafts
Craft Tutorials | Adult Crafts | Kitchen Crafts | Distressed Cookbook Stand – A Redo

Distressed Cookbook Stand – A Redo

Author by Amanda Davis on April 25, 2011 Updated on May 29, 2020

No ratings yet
Jump to Project
1 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • Email


 

Do you remember those wooden shelves with the heart cut outs on them? Perfect for the country blue decor that was so popular in the 80’s and 90’s? Well last summer I picked up two of those type of bookshelves last summer at a garage sale for $1 each. I’ve been using one of them for cookbooks in my kitchen, but the color has been driving my crazy. I’ve been wanting to revamp it for months and finally pulled out the paintbrush and sander last week.

At first I was trying to decide how to cover up the heart cut outs, but now that I’m done painting it, I actually kind of like the way they look, so they are staying as is for now. I think the new color fits much better against the color of my wall, don’t you? (The tutorial for the French Fruit Wall Art is here)

To achieve this I actually used some Americana satin enamels, which are practically hidden on the shelves at Michael’s. They were over by the spray paint display on a shelf at thigh level. I love the size of the paint tubs. Much bigger than the little 2 ounce acrylic paint bottles, but I didn’t need a gallon, or even a quart of expensive Glidden or Bear house paint for this project. These worked perfectly. I only used a small amount of the Royal Burgundy and the Dark Walnut, and almost one entire tub of the Soft White. That’s great, it means I have enough left to do the other shelf as well! :)

I started by sanding any rough edges, then painted the entire thing with a coat of Dark Walnut.

Then I added some Royal Burgundy in random areas.

The reason I did this is I wanted some red and some brown to show through after painting the white layers and then sanding.

After those coats dried, I painted the entire thing with 3 coats of Soft White. I probably could have gotten away with two, but I really wanted to make sure I had a solid white coat to work with.

Next I mixed some Americana Light Cinnamon with some staining/antiquing medium. I did wait a day before doing this to make sure the white was good and dry. With antiquing medium to apply it with a brush or rag, then wipe off the excess with a dry cloth.

This is the stain being applied, work only in sections or it will dry too much to wipe off!

This is what it looked like after all the stain was applied and wiped off.

When that was dry, I used my handy dandy Ryobi sander to sand the edges and give it an aged look.

I paid special attention to the corners.

When finished, I used a matte acrylic spray sealer and let it dry overnight before adding any books. :)

Print Project
No ratings yet

Distressed Cookbook Stand - A Redo

Author: Amanda Formaro

Instructions

  • I started by sanding any rough edges, then painted the entire thing with a coat of Dark Walnut.
  • Then I added some Royal Burgundy in random areas.
  • After those coats dried, I painted the entire thing with 3 coats of Soft White.
  • Next I mixed some Americana Light Cinnamon with some staining/antiquing medium. I did wait a day before doing this to make sure the white was good and dry. With antiquing medium to apply it with a brush or rag, then wipe off the excess with a dry cloth.
  • When that was dry, I used my handy dandy Ryobi sander to sand the edges and give it an aged look.
  • I paid special attention to the corners.When finished, I used a matte acrylic spray sealer and let it dry overnight before adding any books.


Did you enjoy this post? Why not subscribe to my feed, or better yet, to my free newsletter – Foodie in the Craftroom, which provides not only crafts but recipes from my other blog, Amanda’s Cookin’ as well!


I’m linking here: Before and After Party and…

1. Craftomaniac Monday 7. Show and Tell Wednesday 13. Weekend Wrapup Party
2. Metamorphosis Monday 8. Kids Get Crafty 14. Show and Tell Saturday
3. Made by You Monday 9. I’m Lovin’ It 15. Saturday Night Special
4. Get Your Craft On 10. Hookin Up with HOH 16. Craft Schooling Sunday
5. Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays 11. Transformation Thursday 17. Sunday Showcase
6. Whatever Goes Wednesday 12. Show and Tell Friday 18. Power of Paint
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Amanda Davis
Amanda Davis is the crafty, entrepreneurial mother of four children. She loves to bake, cook, make kid's crafts and create decorative items for her home. She is a crafting expert and guru in the kitchen and has appeared online and in print publications many times over the years.
Latest posts by Amanda Davis (see all)
  • Spring Scavenger Hunt - May 9, 2025
  • How to Make Lip Scrub - May 2, 2025
  • How to Make Lavender Soap - April 22, 2025
1 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • Email

Filed Under: Kitchen Crafts Tagged With: adult, adult craft ideas, adult crafts, adults, crafts for adults, furniture, kitchen, painting, redo

Reader Interactions

Free CraftsBy email every week

Latest crafts straight to your inbox!

Comments

  1. Amanda says

    April 30, 2011 at 4:51 pm

    The shelves look great, the hearts look great with a fresh pop of paint!

    Reply
  2. A Few Pennies says

    April 29, 2011 at 12:58 pm

    Loving that project; perfect size for kitchen and books. Have a great weekend. Patty

    Reply
  3. Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made says

    April 27, 2011 at 10:12 pm

    HAHA! I have a whole HOUSE full of those — floor shelves, book cases, bench, tables! I've hidden most away but I too am thinking of at least painting a few of them. Love the technique you used with all of the different colors. I too want to cover the hearts and I'm thinking some wooden 'medallions' might be the answer but yours DOES look perfect as is! Thanks for the detailed instructions!

    Reply
  4. Lynda says

    April 26, 2011 at 4:37 pm

    It is so much better, it is really cute! Thanks for the ideas!

    Reply
  5. AmyOfSweden says

    April 26, 2011 at 1:57 pm

    Really nice, Amanda! Sometimes it can take a while before you get started. I love them and they are adorable. I would really want one of those shelves but unfortunally I don't have enough room in the house ;)

    Reply
  6. Maggie says

    April 26, 2011 at 4:06 am

    Luv luv it thank you for the step by step pics. I need to get some paints.
    don't forget to add it to our linking party this week
    http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/04/happy-easter-2011-and-linking-party.html
    Maggie
    http://passionatelyartistic.com

    Reply
  7. Cottage Touch says

    April 26, 2011 at 12:11 am

    Inspiring project and blog.

    Reply
  8. DebWestbury says

    April 25, 2011 at 10:07 pm

    Really neat transformation…got me thinking of the bench that I have with the same heart pattern…

    Reply
  9. Kudos Kitchen says

    April 25, 2011 at 7:28 pm

    Really cute Amanda! I, for one, am glad you left the hearts. With the new paint technique, you've really updated the look!

    Reply
  10. Dan says

    April 25, 2011 at 5:55 pm

    I've got a pile of furniture in Toronto that could use re-finishing. want to make a working holiday? :-)

    Reply
  11. Connie the crafterbug says

    April 25, 2011 at 2:45 pm

    This looks great!
    Connie

    Reply
  12. Gabi says

    April 25, 2011 at 2:16 pm

    I love it!
    I want too!!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate This Project




The maximum upload file size: 640 MB. You can upload: image, video. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop files here

Primary Sidebar

Hi! I’m Amanda and I’m the founder and head designer of Crafts by Amanda. I have spent over 25 years creating projects to share, but it’s not just me anymore! It’s turned into a complete family affair. Come and meet the Creative Team!

Free CraftsBy email every week

Latest crafts straight to your inbox!

All Time Favorites

snowy pinecone candle jar luminaries

Winter Luminaries: Snowy Pinecone…

Make pretty winter luminaries that appear to be covered ... Go To project

Make this wonderful deco mesh pumpkin wreath to hang on your door this fall!

Deco Mesh Pumpkin Wreath…

Adorn your door this fall with a pretty deco mesh ... Go To project

Learn to make these adorable ladybug painted rocks. use special outdoor paint for this adorable garden craft so you can keep garden ladybugs all summer!

Ladybug Painted Rocks…

I'm going to show you how to make these adorable ... Go To project

Reuse those empty prescription pill bottles in all sorts of ways. From organizing to making cookies. Yes, cookies! See how to use your empty pill bottles!

20 Uses for Prescription Pill…

You've been collecting prescription pill bottles for ... Go To project

Meet the Family

Amanda

Founder and Designer

Kristen

Editorial Manager

Lindsay

Social Media Manager

As seen on:

Footer

Favorites

  • Jar Photo Frames
  • No-Sew Roman Shade
  • Paper Flowers
  • How to Make a Scrunchie
  • Mermaid Slime

About

  • Home
  • Meet the Creative Team
  • Work with Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Contact Us

Images/text copyright Amanda Formaro 2020. To feature a post from Crafts by Amanda, you may use one photo credited and linked back directly to the project post.

Free CraftsBy email every week

Latest crafts straight to your inbox!

Copyright ©2025, Crafts by Amanda. All Rights Reserved.
Design by Pixel Me Designs

Rate This Tutorial

Your vote:




To share a photo with your comment click here!

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required