DIY Furniture Craft Project: How to Antique a Laminate Book Case

Creating an antique inspired Book Case on a budget is an easy project that can be accomplished in a weekend. To start this antiquing project you will need to find an inexpensive Book Case that you don't mind painting and experimenting with.

Those cheap fake wood Book Cases found at discount stores are perfect for antiquing. If you have an old wood Book Case and just want to change the color or look this paint process is also good, just leave off the parts about molding and embellishments.

Here is a list of supplies you will need to start antiquing your Book Case:

· Primer
· Paint (2 colors)
· Roller paint brushes
· A variety of 2", 3", or 4" paint brushes
· Wood stain
· Glaze
· Sandpaper
· Drop clothes
· Molding (Crown molding or picture molding trim or both)

For additional antique inspired embellishments to a very plain Book Case try attaching crown molding to the top of the piece. This will completely change the look of your inexpensive Book Case and instantly give and antique feel.

You can also use picture molding to create other areas of interest on the pain Book Case. Create symmetrical boxes on the sides for added depth. If you do not have access to a saw for cutting the molding you could use inexpensive picture frames to create details.

Attach them to the Book Case with one inch finishing nails.

If your armoire sits flat on the ground you can give it additional interest by adding feet. Fence posts work well and are usually inexpensive. Best of al they come with a large screw attached, so all you have to do is drill the hole in the base of your bookcase and screw them in.

If possible try to paint your book case outside on a nice sunny day to shorten the drying time. You can work on it inside though if necessary.

Step one to creating an antiqued bookcase is to begin by sanding the surface of your plain bookcase. Once you have the surface lightly sanded, you should wipe off the dust with a clean dry clothe. An old white t-shirt will work perfectly here.

Now, you are ready to put a coat of primer. If you are using a cheap fake wood bookcase this is a very important step. Your antiquing painting technique will not stick to your surface if you don't sand and then prime your bookcase.

Allow your primer to dry completely before you move on to step three of the antiquing process. Step three is to put on a coat of your base paint. This paint should not be the actual color you want your bookcase to end up, but the color you want to show through when you antique the bookcase.

I recommend a cream color paint or possibly even yellow. If you already have white paint from another project this will work as well. Allow this base coat of paint to fry completely.

Now you are ready to paint your bookcase with the real color you wish it to be. I always recommend painting a color that goes with your existing décor.

Don't be scared to choose a bright color because the antiquing process will tone down the appearance of the bookcase considerably.

Once your book case color has dried you are ready to start antiquing it. Start by using the sand paper to rough up edges and other areas that would typically be used over time. For example, try sanding the area near the shelves; it will give the appearance of age.

Once you have finished sanding the bookcase wipe the surface down with a clean dry cloth.

You can stop at this point, but if you want to go the extra mile you can use a mixture of ½ wood stain and ½ glaze to darken your piece. This darkening will mimic years of dirt and the aging process.

Start by mixing you paint and glaze in a plastic container. Use a white rag or another old t-shirt to rub the stain onto the piece. Use another clean rag to gently wipe this stain away.

You should see that the color of your paint will instantly darken and mellow out. Work in small areas so that the stain mixture does not dry on you.