Sunday, January 16, 2011

Decoupaged Map Shelf

IMG_0432


This one has been a long time coming.  I have been planning on doing this for quite a while but just haven’t gotten around to it. 

 I had this old ugly metal shelf:


IMG_0424

It was outside as a plant rack for a long time.  Notice the attractive rust rings.   I think most people would’ve seen this as trash and thrown it out.  But I knew it still had some life in it.  I thought it would make a good bookshelf for my boys’ room if I covered it with some maps. I used this old 1988 National Geographic World Map and cut it to fit the shelves. 



IMG_0422

My, how the world has changed since 1988!  I was my son’s age then!  Anyway, I got out the old school glue and a paint brush and painted the glue onto the shelf and aligned my map and smoothed it down.  After all of the maps were placed I went over them with another layer of glue and then took an old cd case to smooth them down a little more.  Once all of the glue was dry, I gave it a good coating of polyurethane gloss.  I touched up the white paint as well.  I am really happy with the way it turned out and it’s going to look great in my boys’ room. 


IMG_0427

IMG_0438

IMG_0436  
With some of the leftover map, I covered this cardboard cashews container to make a little matching pencil cup.  I still have a little of the map left so I may do a frame or something else too. 


IMG_0426

IMG_0433 
IMG_0435

What do you think? 

Proud to be featured at:




Boogieboard Cottage


Linking up to these parties (you should check them out):

I Heart Naptime
Funky Junk Interiors
Tatertots and Jello
The Shabby Nest
Under The Table and Dreaming
C.R.A.F.T.
Boogieboard Cottage
The DIY Club
CraftoManiac
Craft Envy
Tools are for Women Too
Between Naps on the Porch
Cottage Instincts
Making the World Cuter
Me Making Do
Finding Fabulous
The DIY Showoff
Skip to my Lou
Today's Creative Blog
House of Grace
All Thingz Related
SugarBee Craft Edition
Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Tip Junkie
The T-Shirt Diaries
The Trendy Treehouse
Savvy Southern Style
Blue Cricket Design
The Thrifty Home
Someday Crafts
Funky Junk Interiors
Tatertots & Jello
Be Different Act Normal
The Girl Creative
Pin It!

21 comments:

  1. I think it is wonderful. What a fantastic use of something that as you say would probably toss. It turned out perfect for a boys room and the pencil holder is a great idea also. Hugs, Marty

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a great idea and a wonderful transformation.
    I think it is fabulous.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow! What a wonderful save for an old metal shelf!! Looks Great!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh i love this! Just last week I was inspired to cover a whole wall in maps...I just need to start collecting them :) Your shelves make a great, unique piece!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You had me at "decoupage" :) I think it's perfect for a boys room, and I would've loved that in my classroom when I taught preschool! They loved maps and globes!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow! I love how your shelf turned out and it looks great against your blue wall too. I love that you used simple materials and used a CD as a tool! And then made the pencil holder out of the cashew can! You certainly win the green award for this, great job. Thank you for linking up to Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage, Mary :O)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love your map shelf! What a great way to save that shelf!
    ~Amanda

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love using maps as art. Great idea and great job!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love the idea to use a map for this. Well done - looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Simply clever.I love anything with maps.The graphics rock!

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a fantastic makeover. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a fantastic job, I just love your shelf!
    I am in the middle of some map covering jobs myself so I hope to share them when I am finished!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Turned out great! Perfect for a boys room!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love anything with old maps or old globes... those old aqua and pastel colors on maps really are my favorites.

    ~Chris

    ReplyDelete
  15. That is a fantastic transformation! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love decorating with maps- works perfect for the cart! Very neat project.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love this! I also love the mapped cashew can as well, this is the perfect touch. I hope that you will link this up to my Show and Share Sunday linky party, open all week. http://craftygeordi.blogspot.com/2011/01/show-and-share-sunday_16.html

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a great idea!!!!
    I love maps and this turned out really cute!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love the use of maps in decorating. Those shelves look great. Thanks for linking up.

    ReplyDelete