I know what you’re thinking: do John & Sherry actually want to marry built-ins? The short answer is yes. We’re just suckers for them—function plus form feels like a jackpot. So when Hilary told us she transformed inexpensive Craigslist bookcases into a built-in feature, I was immediately hooked. It’s a clever use of space and a smart way to adapt affordable, pre-made pieces to suit a room. Here’s her note:
Hey there John + Sherry! My husband and I moved into our little Cape Cod in Jersey just over a year ago. In the first year we tore out the old flooring, installed new wood floors, and completely gutted and renovated our kitchen. Once the big projects were behind us, we moved on to more fun tasks—like adding storage and display space in the living room with two built-ins. After months of scouring Craigslist, I found two perfect, if rather ugly, all-wood bookcases for just $100.
After removing some outdated trim and sanding them down…
…and painting them Benjamin Moore White Dove…
…they really popped against the navy-blue wall I painted behind them (Behr’s December Eve). We finished with trim painted to match, added crown molding, and reinstalled the doors. Filling the shelves with things we love—and stashing extra items in the lower cabinets—was the icing on the cake.
There’s still some trim and paint touch-ups to finish, but I couldn’t wait to share.
I hope you’ll find them as awesome as we do! – Thanks, Hilary
This is such a great idea. The deep navy wall color framing the white bookcases creates a bold, refined contrast, and the darker frames around the room add visual weight. Best of all, Hilary cleverly repurposed secondhand bookcases into built-ins, turning an underused wall into a functional and attractive focal point with both display space and hidden storage. The styling on the shelves feels curated and lived-in—now I’m tempted to hunt down a vintage fan of my own.