You may remember way back in June when I told you how I found this awesome antique dresser with birch branch handles at the farmer’s market.  And how even though I already had a dresser for the nursery, I couldn’t resist picking up this second one – it was just too perfect of a fit.

The dresser drawers were a little funky at first, but with an easy $4 makeover project, they quickly became good as new!  The only problem that remained was space.  I had originally hoped to have a bookshelf in the room to store – what else? – BOOKS, and other small toys and things.  But with two dressers in the room, I knew there would be no additional floor space for another piece of furniture.

And then I stumbled across this on Oh Dee Doh…

It was literally the perfect solution.  A dresser and a bookshelf all in one, and totally adorable if you ask me.  I made a note of exactly how the inspiration dresser was done, and planned to stop at my IKEA store the next time I headed down to south Seattle. 

A few weeks later, I had four Bekvam spice racks sitting in the nursery, just waiting to be magically turned into bookshelves.

The best part?  They each cost $3.99, and with no other supplies needed, our bookshelf project cost a whopping $16.  Awesome.

I did the shelf/spice rack assembling myself, and then enlisted some muscle for the logistics of actually hanging them so that they would be level and safe.  I’m pretty sure anything hung by me would end up being ripped straight off the shelf the first time Baby C tried to use them to pull himself up to standing.

Casey carefully calculated and measured to make sure that everything lined up evenly, fearing having to listen to me talk about the uneven bookshelves for the next ten years.

Meanwhile, the dogs tested out their new man cave, located under the crib.  Indy thought it was pretty exciting.

While Huey pretended to have no interest whatsoever.

Eventually, when he thought we weren’t looking, he climbed under too.

A few measurements and screws later, what were once spice racks became bookshelves filled with fabulous stories just waiting to be read.

I am already having so many goofy pregnant lady fantasies about sitting in the glider and reading bedtime stories to our little boy.  I wonder what his favorite book will be…

Can you believe that with only $16, our funky antique dresser became a gorgeous double-duty bookshelf?  The look is completed with our new gumball lamp from Land of Nod, and a few other important baby items.  (Apparently every baby needs a Sophie?)

It’s fun little touches like these that really make the nursery feel like a special place full of love.  I know every time I reach for a book now, I’ll think of Casey and I doing this simple project together.

All that’s left to do is hang the artwork on the wall above!  Other than that, we are just waiting for him to tell us he’s ready to enjoy his fun and colorful new space.

I remember so well when my mom would read to me at night, and I can’t wait to make those same memories with my son.  He will be here before we know it!

Post by Emily Malone : www.dailygarnish.com