A few weeks ago I told you about my accidental online purchase of some wall shelves from Pottery Barn. They were the 3' Crown Molding Shelves in Antique White. Well, they are here, they are installed in our dining room, and I love almost everything about them.
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| Image - Pottery Barn |
Here's what I do love about the shelves: they fit in the space perfectly, they are very sturdy (and have a really awesome mounting system), and they are nice and chunky. (What can I say, I like my shelving chunky.)
The one thing that I'm not loving about the shelves though is how not-white the 'Antique White' is. They are sooooooooo yellow-y creamy.
Sniffle.
I've tried living with them as-is for the last few weeks to see if I could get used to the colour. As of today, I've officially decided to go ahead and paint them.
While I don't particularly like the idea of buying things brand-new (that are kind of expensive) and then having to paint them - I think I will a lot happier in the long run if I do. It will be the difference between me really, really liking them, and me loving them.
So, a new can of Fresh Start Primer is on my to-do list to pick up this week. My goal is to have the shelves primed, painted, stained, and re-installed by Valentine's Day. (You know it's because I want to make a cute little Valentine's Day display, right?)
In the meantime, here is a picture of how the shelves look right now - with a few little trinkets on 'em of course.
What do you think - am I crazy to paint them or would you do the same?
:)
What do you think - am I crazy to paint them or would you do the same?
:)
Paint! I hate it when things aren't quite as white as I would like - for example, all the mattes in the white frames at ikea... They aren't white and it drives me nuts!
ReplyDeleteI KNOW!!! I recently bought one of their frames and had to get a custom matte made because the other one didn't go. Boooo to things that aren't white-white.
Delete;)
They are really pretty but I like white white. I would do whatever makes me love them. I would also let Pottery Barn know.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback Kerrie! I'm glad everyone agrees with the painting idea. I'm gonna go for it. :)
DeletePaint! White is really crisp. For some reason these look...old? But not in the intended antique way...!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. It sounds awful but they kind of look like they are cigarette-stained. Blech!
DeletePaint it is!!! Lol.
Paint them, so that you LOVE them! BTW, I love that little wooden building thingy on your shelf--super cute!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice Jamie. :)
DeleteThe little wooden building thingie was a Homesense find. I wasn't sure about it when I first bought it but now when I see it displayed I love it, too!
They look great do what pleases you:) Where did you get the houses on the top shelf? Love them.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'll make sure to share the after pictures!
DeleteThe little houses were a Homesense find a few months back. I was just there a few days ago and saw a few left in the Clearance aisle. I'm not sure they would have any where you live but it might be worth a try!
They look white enough in the first picture, but compared to things that are actually white in the last picture... I'd definitely paint them too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input, Amy!
DeleteDo they not sell them in a more bright white? Or is antique white your only choice? Because I would exchange them rather than paint them if that is an option. If it is not an option, I understand why you want to paint them white, especially with the white dishes you currently have on them.
ReplyDeleteI agree Nicki! Maybe they sent you the "dud" ones that are too creamy! Otherwise, definitely paint them, you'll be much happier. Gorgeous shelves tho' :-)
DeleteI think I heard from some fellow readers that Pottery Barn is now carrying a White-White for their kids furniture. So far though, these particular shelves are only available in the antique white. Waaaaah!
DeleteYeppers,,,I would be painting them as well! Love the display though.
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna. I won't tell you how long I fiddled with it to get it looking 'just right'. Lol.
DeleteI'm always pro paint if you don't love it as is!!! Great vignette! xo, S.
ReplyDeleteI have to say, they don't look too creamy yellowish in your pic. But I completely agree about PB's 'white'. I've returned several things there because of that. I say paint them though. It's an easy update. And you'll love them even more.
ReplyDeleteJen
For sure paint them-but I feel your pain about painting something expensive and new! It is one of my biggest pet peeves when a company calls something "white" when it is really cream or ivory or even beige!! Most of Pottery Barn's stuff is that yellow-y white :( Their kids store finally introduced a "simply white" colour that is actually white! Hope PB does the same! I've taken to emailing companies (if I can't be there in person to see it) to ask--just emailed the other day about PB's valentine pillows and got this "Both items are an off white and monogrammed in the Sandalwood color. Please note that the lighting used when the photo is taken slightly alters the actual color." Really? Slightly? Sigh....
ReplyDeleteAnd love the styling on the shelves too--love the teacups on the mini cakestand!
Thanks so much Erin, those teacups are my latest favourite things. :)
DeleteI haven't been to Pottery Barn in person for so long that I forgot how creamy their white is. I knew it wasn't going to be super white but it's waaaaay more yellow than I remember.
Thanks for the tips. I will for sure do that next time! :)
You have to look at these every day so you want to love them. Paint them!!! :)
ReplyDeletePaint them! I would have gone through the same logic too. My "white" IKEA bookshelves have driven me crazy for two years now. Painting them is still on my to-do list and they still drive me crazy after two years!
ReplyDeleteI agree that they're a bit yellowy! You already bought them and have to look at them every day, so I say paint em!'
ReplyDeleteThey look great! Love your style!! Could you come and help me with my house please. :)
ReplyDeleteIf you will call and quit my day job for me, I will come over and help you with your house. Deal?
Delete:)
P.S. Thank you so much. That is a lovely compliment.
Paint them! I hate it when things are a different color than you're expecting.
ReplyDeleteGreat Blog !!!
ReplyDeleteYou have a nice collection.
Thank you so much for writing such a wonderful post about wall shelves..
I have also good collection of wall shelves
. Thanks for sharing such nice blog.
Is there a follow up to this post? I bought these same shelves and just opened them. They look really yellow and I too want to paint them. I am trying to find the best paint and technique so I don't make these gorgeous, expensive shelves look cheap!
ReplyDelete