Tree Themed Shelving

When we found out we were having a baby, I had my husband and dad paint our "office" a teal/turquoise/electric blue (whatever you want to call it) color, which would go good for a boy or a girl.

Oooh lala making my man work!

Well, the color was awesome, but my giant LOVA leaf I got from Ikea just wasn't helping create that nature-theme I wanted. In fact, it just looked sad against that totally awesome crib.

My husband and I had been talking about painting a tree mural on the wall for a while, and now that baby bear was getting older, I noticed that we needed more shelving as well (storage for her spoiled self!). So we started planning. I got on Pinterest for some ideas:

When I did more research, this little baby was about $200. And for what? A couple of books? No way!  I did some more pinterest research, realizing I needed something a little more affordable. In which, I found Decal trees, with shelving built on:

 

I knew I wanted straight shelves, to hold more, but this still wouldn't be enough storage space for her, and then I came across this beauty in which they used an Ikea lack shelf to be the trunk of the tree.. Ikea? Of course! We decided to get the narrow, tall Expedit 1x5 in espresso ("black-brown"), as it was affordable, fit in my compact car, and was easy to assemble by myself.   When I picked it up, I also got 3 small black lack shelves,  2 longer black-brown lack shelves, and 3 short ribba picture ledge shelves (basically, I wanted hidden hardware type shelves and Lowes and Home Depot wanted my arm and my leg for the same thing). We also noted not to make any shelves closer than 3 feet to the ground, as to prevent her toddler head bumping into them.. so we started planning more...

 

And I am "particular", so we planned some more. Thank goodness my husband can sketch real fast.

Now one thing I want to note, that my husband brought to my attention, is that on the open side of the bookshelf, don't put anything up against it, because it will be awkward to get things out. Also, something I pointed out, is do the shelves at different heights as the main bookcase, because it is hard to line them up. Also, do not try to make them flush with each other, or that one centimeter will drive you mad!

We tried laying everything down on the floor, but it was just getting crazy. so, I started drilling holes.

I used EZ Anchor metal drywall screws. Everywhere. I don't like the plastic ones, because they are one time use. Metal ones, you can take the screws out and it is still just as snug. I used my new level, but after I put the shelves up, they were slightly off . I guess her marble collection will need to find another home.

Something to keep in mind, if you put a shelf up against the bookshelf, it has to be TIGHT, and so, I say, do this at your own risk, it was a little harder than anything else. After I put the shelves up, the husband got painters tape (hint: push down if you are going to use it to lock in edges, err...) and outlines some branches.

I then took down the shelves, and he used our left over Behr Ultra dark espresso brown paint.

As you can see, he added on some twigs, and I ordered some leaf decals on Etsy. I know now it looks cryptic, but it will look crib-tic soon. When they come in, I will update. For now, here is the final product! It looks good!

Well, a few minutes later, I started placing some of her toys and books in the shelf, and baby girl didn't know WHAT to think. I also brought up her Ikea table that I recently painted and upholstered. I should be a spokes person for Ikea or something.. Here is a view from the door (we moved the crib to the left, you can kind of see it). I'm not done decorating yet...

 

And what's that? I framed something.. Ryan's first E-book, STAR! If you haven't read it, where have you been?! We also got some of the DC Super Hero board books for babies. They are TOO CUTE! My husband likes comics.