Step 1

Gather all of your materials so you are ready to go. To keep things simple, Christin ordered shelves that were already stained. And, these are the accent colors she chose:

• Sherwin-Williams Livable Green (SW 6176)
• Sherwin-Williams Choice Cream (SW 6357)
• Sherwin-Williams Sociable (SW 6359)
• Sherwin-Williams Mellow Coral (SW 6324)

Step 2

Next, tape off your pattern using FrogTape Delicate Surface Painter's Tape. The dresser and the crib for this nursery have a chevron pattern, so Christin decided on a variation of that.

Tip: Stack the shelves together as if they are one unit to tape off the pattern. Then use scissors to separate the pattern and fold it down.

Step 3

Now it's time to lightly sand the area you’ll paint — a 120 grit sanding block works great to smooth out any uneven areas.

Step 4

The last step before painting is to seal off and tape the sides of the shelves. This way, you will only paint the section you want. Christin uses a plastic card to smooth out all the tape and ensure a secure seal.

Step 5

You're ready to paint! It took Christin a few light coats of paint to get the desired shade.

Wrapping Up

Finally, while the paint is still wet, remove the tape to reveal your custom design.

Find Out More

Have questions about the project or need more details on the steps? Check out the full bookshelf tutorial to find out more.