After Photos: Our Painted Built-Ins Using Benjamin Moore’s “Dragonfly”

We’re excited to share the after photos of our freshly painted built-ins. For this makeover we chose an inky, blue-green shade called Dragonfly from Benjamin Moore’s Affinity collection. To keep things low-VOC and budget-friendly, we color-matched it at Lowe’s to their No-VOC Olympic paint and used just a single quart. Because we restyled the shelves with objects we already owned, this entire built-in update cost only $10.97.

The paint produced a rich, saturated backdrop that feels bold without being overpowering. In our north-facing room the hue shifts subtly with the light and viewing angle—sometimes leaning greener, sometimes bluer, at times deeper or lighter. That changing quality is exactly what we wanted: a moody, dynamic tone that adds personality to the space while creating strong contrast with lighter objects.

After the paint cured we reinstalled the shelves and began arranging pieces. We waited until the finish was completely dry before loading the bookcases to avoid marks or scuffs, and then set about styling each shelf to showcase the new color. The saturated background makes white ceramics, metallic accents, and pale books pop visually and gives the entire built-in a crisp, clean look.

Lighting in the room changed throughout the day, so some images show slight variation in tone. Even with those shifts we love the result: the bookcases now feel intentional and dramatic, and the contrast between the dark built-in and the white items on display makes those pieces read brighter and sharper.

One unexpected benefit is how the color enhances textures. The depth of the Dragonfly shade highlights the curves and details of ceramic figures and other decorative items, making each object stand out rather than blend into the background. That effect gives the shelves more visual interest without needing to buy new accessories.

We also appreciate how economical this project was. One quart of paint, some time for prep and drying, and styling with pieces we already owned was all it took to create a striking focal point. Mr. Rhino (and his ceramic twin on the opposite side) approve of the update, and we do too—especially for under eleven dollars.

For those curious about shelf placement: we planned the layout in advance to balance books, art, and objects, and then adjusted heights to create visual rhythm across the built-ins. Thoughtful spacing helps the dark background read as intentional rather than heavy. The two photos below show color that’s closest to what we see in person, though monitor settings will always influence how the shade appears.

We love the Dragonfly color so much that we plan to integrate it into other parts of the house to create cohesion without becoming boring. It would work beautifully as the base color for a kitchen island or as a bathroom vanity hue—places where the dramatic tone can anchor the room and pair nicely with light countertops or white trim. There’s something satisfying about making a big visual impact with a small investment and a bit of creativity.

Note: we also made two fabric-covered storage boxes that sit on the right side of the shelf; details on how we made them appear in a previous post.