| Painting Shelves and Storage Containers |
From "DIY Weekend"
episode DIYW-219 |
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Turn plain white laminate shelving units with storage baskets into colorful and functional focal points for a child's room. Start by taping off any areas you do not want to paint, such as a natural-finish top. Remove the shelves from the case. Apply an oil-based primer to help the paint adhere to the slick laminate surface. Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling the fumes. Once the primer is dry, start painting. With a little bit of paint on the brush, apply it to the unit with short, crisscross strokes to create a crosshatch finish. While that paint is drying, you can paint the baskets. Use several different colors for a fun, playful look. Paint the inside and outside of the baskets; you don't have to paint the bottom outside surface, though. Once the shelving units are dry, mix some of the same paint you used to paint it with a glaze. Brush the glaze onto the shelving units, then use a rag to remove some of the glaze. Twist the rag into a bundle about 6 to 8 inches long. Starting at the top of the unit, roll the twisted rag down the side. The result will be a random pattern that will give the furniture an aged, well-traveled appearance. Once the glaze is dry, replace the baskets.
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