I have a Dumpster Bookshelf TURNED ROLLING ISLAND!
How is this possible you might be asking? A few power tools, some casters, reclaimed wood, and of course CeCe Caldwell’s Paints and their new ALL NATURAL Stain!
Update!!! I no longer use CeCe Caldwell’s Paints. I found something I love EVEN MORE. I use DIY Paint from Debi’s Design Diary. It is also an all natural paint, Clay Based (similar to a Chalk Paint, but the Clay makes the color so much richer and the paint more durable). Made in the US, and I LOVE the Dark and Decrepit Patina for my staining needs. Check it out HERE! 
This is what I started with. If you follow Trashy Tuesday, then you may have seen this bookshelf I rescued from a Dumpster. 
The Bookshelf was pretty bulky. I wasn’t sure what to do with it, but I knew it had potential. Check out my video to see exactly how I built it. If you like what you see, be sure to subscribe to my channel to get the latest DIY and Tutorials (with humor of course).
I decided to cut this bookshelf right in half. I used a piece of painters tape and a leveler to make sure I got the line completely straight. 
Once I had two pieces, added a piece of wood to the bottom of one of my pieces. This adds stability to the would be island and a secure spot to put the casters on. 
After the casters were secured, I decided to add some reclaimed wood to the top. I screwed the wood down, and used Gorilla Wood Glue to add more stability.
Now for the beautifying part. I painted the body in all new Thomasville Teal from CeCe Caldwell’s 100% Chalk and Clay Based paints. 
I wanted to bring out the beauty in the reclaimed wood, and I wanted to keep my project as earth friendly and green as possible. I used DIY Paint Dark % Decrepit Liquid Patina.
The stain/Dark Finish is so easy to use. Wipe on, and wipe off extra. No fumes, no chemicals, no sticky residue.
I used one coat of Dark Patina, but you can use as many layers as you want to achieve the hue you are looking for. The boxes inside I even built from scrap wood and extra rope I had on hand. 
I wanted my piece to have some extra protection for the surface, in case it was really put to the test in someone’s kitchen. I used CeCe Caldwell’s hard wearing Endurance. I have even used this stuff on my stairs! It is tough. And, I have a video for how to apply Endurance too.
Will you ever look at a cheap bookshelf the same again?
If you enjoyed this Dumpster Bookshelf makeover, then you might enjoy these FREE makeovers too.
Ballard’s Design Bookshelf from cheap bookshelf
Dumpster Bookshelf to Dumpster Diva Bookshelf
Dumpster Bookshelf Goes Chip Hip
Awesome!!
What a great way to repurpose a generic, boxy shelf! Love it!
How darling this is. I love that you thought way outside the box here and cut that puppy in two!! Beautiful job and great tutorial!!!
Thank you so much Rebecca! I still have one more half to use!
Karen!! I think this is my all time favorite transformation yet! I would never have picked that bookshelf up and now it looks amazing. You are the transformation Queen, my friend! Pinning and sharing! XO
Thank you so much for the Pins and Share and Christy! I still have one half to use, have to put my thinking cap on for what to do with the other half!
It turned out great! I would of never thought of cutting in half! Great job! pinning!
Thank you so much Dede. I have been wanting to do something like for a while, I finally found the perfect specimen 🙂
This is INCREDIBLE!!! We have a cheap-o store bought island that I don’t like at all. This looks amazing!
Thanks so much Sara! Now you can go find a Dumpster Bookshelf and customize your own, sell the cheapo one 🙂
Fabulous!
Great minds think alike. When I first seen your bookshelf, I thought about the same thing if it where mine for me to use in my craft room.
Great minds DO think alike! Great idea for a craft room 🙂
kareni love your blog and i would be right next to you for every dumpster dive if would let me and i would hand you tools as you you redoux i read all of the comments too and whats up with these weird ones?? xx
Oh I love this and it reminds me of the bathroom cabinet you commented on today on my blog. Great minds think alike! There’s nothing like paint and casters to turn trash into great storage!
I love this idea! This may be a stupid question but where did you get the reclaimed wood for the top?
Shelley, there are no Stupid Questions around here! I get it from a variety of sources, the best way to find some might be to just check your local Craig’s list under Free. Often people have taken down their fences, or construction projects with a lot of wood leftover and don’t want to haul it to the dump. Other than that, construction sites where they are throwing it out is great too.
Oh my gosh… are you KIDDING me?! I would have never picked up that bookcase but you just changed my mind! I want one for my workshop! Featuring you in this weekend’s Party Junk. Thanks for linking up! 🙂
Hi Karen, I absolutely love your makeover! I’d love to feature it on my 2nd site, DIY Furniture Makeovers (http://diyfurnituremakeovers.com) if that’s alright. I’d share one before photo, one after photo, and a brief description with a link back. Let me know what you think. Thank you!