Faux Metal Finish Upcycled Shelf

Faux Metal Upcycled Shelf

Much better! Here is a closer look at the shelf before.

MyLove2Create, upcycled shelf before

I have always loved little drawers and this shelf had good sized cubbies that were perfect for this sort of makeover! Similar shelves are always popping up in thrift stores, so why not make them fun and useful again?! Let me show you how I did it...

MyLove2Create, putting back together

I wanted to make a middle shelf so I could have six drawers. I measured and cut a scrap piece of wood to size, then used my Gorilla Wood glue and nail gun to secure it (top left photo). In the middle photo above you can see I glued in the two side dividers. Then I added more glued to then end pieces and put them back on. I went around with the nail gun to hold everything in place until the glue dried.

modified shelf

Drawers cut and sanded

MyLove2Create, build boxes

MyLove2Create, adding front

MyLove2Create, adding top piece

I thought it needed a little beefing up on the top, so I grabbed a scrap board. I let it over lap just a little then cut it, glued, and nailed it on. You can see also that I am trying out some old knobs as feet. I also did this on another project recently, my DIY Corner Fruit Tower. It is a great way to repurpose outdated knobs. Plus they make cute little feet!

MyLove2Create, white and color coats

Deciding how to paint a project is always the hardest part for me. I love the look of metal and really went out on a limb to try the faux metal finish. I began with painting the drawer fronts white (top left photo) and I didn't make it a great paint job either as you can see on my first drawer. Then I slapped on some green, blue, and gray on different drawer fronts.

MyLove2Create, silver and black

I used a metallic silver craft paint and painted it on pretty randomly. Then I  finished off with some black accents.

MyLove2Create, light black strokes

To do the black, I just got a little on my cheap brush and then rubbed most of it off before painting it on my drawer front. Again I was going for the random, not perfect look.

MyLove2Create, painting shelf

For my shelf I did the same, but skipped the color. On the left you can see I brushed on some white, and on the right I did the metallic silver, and started with the black accents. In the photo on the right you can see that only the left side of the shelf has the black , can you see the difference?

MyLove2Create, drawer pulls

I got these drawer pulls from Hobby Lobby and they are only $1.99, but with a coupon it was $1.20 something. I spray painted them and the "feet" knobs with some oil rubbed bronze.

MyLove2Create, glue on feet

MyLove2Create, stencil numbers

MyLove2Create, glue drawer pulls on

Faux Metal Upcycled Shelf, side view, MyLove2Create

MyLove2Create, inside view, Faux Metal Upcycled Shelf

MyLove2Create, top middle drawer open

MyLove2Create, close up faux metal upcycled shelf

MyLove2Create, other side faux metal upcycled shelf

MyLove2Create, upcycled shelf before

MyLove2Create, Faux Metal Upcycled Shelf