Ron recently custom built a bookcase in his family room. When it came to painting, he did what he has always does, and painted the back wall with the same color as cabinetry. But while flipping through a magazine, Ron's wife saw a bookcase similar to the one Ron had just built, with the back painted an accent color.
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Deciding that this would look terrific in their home, Ron set out to paint the back of their own bookcase to match an accent lamp they had in the room.
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| When selecting a paint color, it is a good idea to pick up at least three slightly different shades. A quart of each will allow you to do a little experimenting before making any final commitments.
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| Paint three sample panels, allow them to dry, and then take them inside, where you can see what they look like under the different lighting conditions of the room. Making larger samples is really helpful. Prop each different panel inside a separate shelf so that you can compare, but also look at each one individually.
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| Ron had used bead board to create his sample panels, because that is what he had lying around in the shop. But it turned out that both he and his wife really liked the look of the painted bead board, so Ron decided to buy more, and use it for the back panels instead of actually painting the back of the bookcase.
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| After the panels have been cut to size and painted, they can be easily attached to the back of the bookcase using just a few small brads, placed mostly around the edges.
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The fewer the nails, the fewer the nail holes, which all need to be filled. Also, with fewer nails, you will have an easier time removing the panels if you decide you want to change the look of the bookcase by removing them later.
Learn more about Ron's battery operated nail gun.
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| Before attaching the panels, measure the location of any switches or electrical outlets and pre-cut the panels to go around these obstacles.
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| The colored panels really looked great, adding a nice accent to the room.
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| And if they ever tire of the color or the texture, they can just pop the panels out and they are back to a basic bookcase in a snap.
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