We’re back with the after photos of our freshly painted built-ins. For this project we chose an inky blue with green undertones called Dragonfly from Benjamin Moore’s Affinity line, color-matched to a No‑VOC Olympic paint from Lowe’s for the small amount we needed. A single quart was enough, and because we used items we already owned to style the shelves, the entire built-in makeover cost just $10.97. You can read more about our shelf planning in the original post.
But here’s the main attraction: the bookcases are all painted. We sat around watching them dry, eager to reinstall the shelves and start filling them up.
By the time we were finished it wasn’t quite as bright in our north-facing room, which accounts for the slight color variation between photos, but we absolutely love the result. The finish is bold and high-contrast—something we wouldn’t have dared in our previous home.
The Dragonfly shade is delightfully moody. It can read greener or bluer, darker or lighter depending on the time of day and the viewing angle, which keeps the look interesting.
My white ceramic animals and other delicate keepsakes really pop against the saturated background. The deep color makes the cabinet trim appear crisper and whiter in contrast.
The following two photos are probably the most faithful to the actual shade, though final appearance will vary by monitor and lighting.
Mr. Rhino (and his ceramic twin) approve—and so do we. For under $11, this update made a big impact. We like the color so much that we’re planning to introduce it elsewhere in the house to keep the palette cohesive without becoming predictable. It could be a great choice for the base of a future kitchen island or a bathroom vanity when we’re ready for those projects.
Psst—if you’re curious about the two fabric-covered boxes on the right side of the shelf, we made them ourselves; find the tutorial in our earlier post.