If you're looking for a little inspiration on how to put your own stamp on store-bought furniture and lighting, check out my story in the Easy Decorating issue from Woman's Day this month.
For starters, take the Billy bookcase from IKEA.
He's a great basic but a little plain Jane if you ask me. To dress him up, find a fabric you love—I used this modern geometric from Calico Corners—and adhere it to foam-core cut to fit the inside backs of the bookcase.
Use foam tape on the backs of the boards to adhere them, and you're set!
That's a good boy Billy.
And when you're bored, simply swap out the fabric for a new one, and Billy gets a whole, new look. For detailed directions, pick up the Easy Decorating issue of Woman's Day on newsstands now!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea! So inspiring!
Posted by: Melissa | October 26, 2011 at 06:32 PM
LOVE this solution - even better than wallpaper because of the texture!
can't believe i haven't been here before . . . off to check out some more!
Posted by: tobe | because it's awesome | July 11, 2011 at 11:37 PM
Came from centsational girl. Thanks for the foam tip!
Posted by: Mindy | June 16, 2011 at 12:38 PM
This looks so great!! I love the color and pattern of that fabric:)
Posted by: Erin Elizabeth | June 14, 2011 at 12:29 PM
Oh my goodness! I have a few of these and just last night was moving them around wondering what I could do to make them more stylish! Thank you for this idea!So simple and easy! Your great Eddie!
Posted by: Jenn-Lee | June 11, 2011 at 07:13 PM
Such an amazing transformation!
Posted by: Miss B. | June 09, 2011 at 01:18 PM
Fab, Eddie! And I had forgotten how much I used to like that song, "Billy don't be a hero, don't be a fool with your life..." :)
Kris
Posted by: Kris Connell | June 04, 2011 at 04:45 PM
running off to the store ... ooops it's late
maybe tomorrow ... can't wait
I just finished a little makeover you might enjoy
let's chat
Posted by: savvycityfarmer | June 02, 2011 at 10:17 PM
very cool! i love fabric might have to try this one!! xo susan
Posted by: susan | June 02, 2011 at 08:56 PM
That's one great looking bookcase NOW!
Posted by: Jennifer Raulet/Brilliant Chic | June 01, 2011 at 03:33 PM
What a smart idea! I love the idea of swappable fabric-wrapped foam boards! I'm doing this project this weekend. I have so many fabric swatches to play with.
Posted by: arlene of va | May 31, 2011 at 01:43 PM
Beautiful, Eddie. That geometric print is beautiful in the bookcase! Made it so very much more than it was! Hope your weekend was a delight!
Posted by: sandy@oohlafroufrou | May 30, 2011 at 09:35 PM
Eddie, You never fail to inspire me...Thank you for that!!!
Posted by: Judy Beeksma | May 29, 2011 at 10:22 AM
Such a cool way to "smarten up" very ordinary shelves. I am redoing my bathroom and think this just might be an answer for my shelving problems. Thanks.
Cynthia
http://coffeeonthepatio.com
http://www.cynthiasblog.com
Posted by: Cynthia | May 28, 2011 at 04:57 PM
What a perfect alternative to paint! I've just caught up on some past post reading. You deserve every success and bit of attention that comes your way. Not only do I enjoy everything you put together, but you have a style that is so welcoming that it makes me want to have you as a friend. A quality which obviously makes you so popular! Have a great Memorial Day weekend!
Posted by: Carol@SofasandSage | May 28, 2011 at 08:34 AM
I've been wanting to update the back of my cheap-o tv cabinet/bookcase and thanks to you I now know what to do! I'm going to pick up that magazine soon for some inspiration.
Hope you and Jaithan are doing well. We're off to the lake tomorrow for a few days of fun in the sun...wish ya'll were here!
XOXO!
Judy
Posted by: Judy | May 27, 2011 at 10:33 PM
I just love it! Thanks for inspiration.
Posted by: Jenny | May 27, 2011 at 09:31 PM
Love this post. Easy, simple, affordable, and doable. Thanks.
Posted by: Janette@the2seasons.com | May 27, 2011 at 09:21 PM
Now that really is a 'small change, big impact'!!
Have a fun-filled holiday weekend E&J!
xo Cathy
Posted by: Stitchfork | May 27, 2011 at 07:07 PM
E+J- Beautiful! That fabric is divine. I could so use some new storage and this is inspirational!
No Ikea near me. Isn't that sad? A friend is planning an Ikea road trip this month and I may join her.
Loretta
Posted by: Loretta Fontaine (APPLESandRUBIES) | May 27, 2011 at 06:48 PM
You guys never
cease to amaze me.
What a terrific idea
and one that even
those of us who are
less crafty can tackle!
Love it.
xx Suzanne
Posted by: Privet and Holly | May 27, 2011 at 05:23 PM
Just when I think I have it all figured out you show me a better, faster, prettier way. I was going to do this is my own bedroom (that I've been pondering for 2 years!) in a whole other, more complicated way. Love your fabric choice and styling, too.
Posted by: Alexandra Rae | May 27, 2011 at 12:15 PM
BRILLIANT!! As usual.
xsxs
Posted by: Sandra Jonas | May 27, 2011 at 09:21 AM
How cool is that!!
Posted by: Anchor Cottage | May 27, 2011 at 09:19 AM
I've been pining for that very fabric from Calico Corners! So funny! I love the geometric print. Great ideas!
Posted by: Brandi | May 27, 2011 at 09:02 AM
Your ideas never let me down! Have a nice weekend!
Posted by: Paula | May 27, 2011 at 07:15 AM
Love it! And you paired turquoise and red, my two favorite summer colors!
I have been meaning to do something similar with our shelves but I was planning on simply covering the whole back panel with a nice wallpaper before installing the shelves. Would that work?
Posted by: Elisa | May 27, 2011 at 06:22 AM
Eddie now this is something I could do!!
The fabric is perfect!
love to you and Jaithan!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Posted by: Karena | May 27, 2011 at 02:35 AM
Very nice, thanks.
Posted by: rental mobil elf | May 27, 2011 at 12:39 AM
"...don't be a fool with your life..." Isn't that how it goes? GREAT idea and an easy way to update kids' spaces.
xo
serena
Posted by: Serena at the urbanfarmhouse | May 26, 2011 at 10:46 PM
How can a Swedish girl resist a post that gives an IKEA classic such a fabulous make-over!?! :)
Eddie, you are always full of such great ideas. If you lived closer I'd be hanging around you & J ALL the time for inspiration!!
Biggest hugs from a very cold Sydney
xx Charlotta
P.S. Moving to Sweden in only a matter of weeks and will be there for a full year before we relocate again - to London. I would LOVE it if you came antiquing and fleamarket shopping in Euorpe. Please tell me if you plan to head across the pond..!
Am hoping to catch Debra on one of her wonderful UK excursion. Can't wait. x C
Posted by: Charlotta | May 26, 2011 at 10:45 PM
LOOOVE this idea, Eddie! Pretty and clever! Can I ask you a question? My blog is with Blogger. They ahve been having "issues" and now I ahve lost ALL my followers!!!!!!!!!! Has this ever happened before, do you know? Thanks! Pinky
Posted by: Pinky | May 26, 2011 at 09:13 PM
Brilliant!
Posted by: Kayce hughes | May 26, 2011 at 09:03 PM
How funny - I just made my first trek to the Ikea with a group of girlfriends in search of some things for a party. The brilliance of this, besides your spot-on styling, is that it's not a permanent fix. Bored of the fabric, just swap it out. LOVE THAT!!!!
xoxo Elizabeth
Posted by: pretty pink tulips | May 26, 2011 at 08:28 PM
Ooooh, I have that bookcase and I am excited to dress Billy up! What I love about your "stylin" is how neat and symetrical you do everything! It gives a feeling of peace and calm even if it's exciting and unexpected!
What I can never figure out is how to place furniture in a room-you do have a gift!I love finding you in my fav mags, too!
~Nancy
Posted by: nancy offermann | May 26, 2011 at 07:57 PM
Love the look and the seafoam blue/green with the white! You always do the transformation right!
Posted by: Laura Casey Interiors | May 26, 2011 at 07:31 PM
Loved this one ... easy with extraordinary results. I hope all is well with both of you!
Posted by: Carolina Con | May 26, 2011 at 07:20 PM
Love it!! Billy never looked so good. I have two Billy bookcases in the playroom and I keep looking at them thinking I would like the backs to be blue, this is pushing more in that direction, great job as always Eddie, xo Kathysue
Posted by: kathysue | May 26, 2011 at 07:15 PM
I never would have thought to use the foam core; you are Genius, Eddie!!
Posted by: French Basketeer | May 26, 2011 at 02:45 PM
love it!
Posted by: jerusalem | May 26, 2011 at 02:44 PM
Great idea, but you are wayyy too young to remember "Billy, Don't be a Hero." :)
Posted by: Marla in Columbus | May 26, 2011 at 12:50 PM
amazing transformation plain jane becomes good billy with a little dressing
as a whole the piece, accessories , ALL make for a killer composition
xoxo
debra
isn't it almost WOW time again?
Posted by: debra phillips | May 26, 2011 at 12:00 PM
so much easier to adhere the fabric to a foam core..I would have tried just gluing it to the back and end up with all sorts of wrinkles and ripples....love the look...
maureen
Posted by: eclectic revisited | May 26, 2011 at 11:54 AM
I can't wait to try this idea! Love the post and the title:) thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Lizziefitz | May 26, 2011 at 10:17 AM
I love this idea! I saw something recently in a magazine that was similar in idea, but they used modge podge to adhear patterned paper inside the cubes of a bookcase, but that is permanent, and I love that this can be changed out. So much better!
Posted by: Nicole | May 26, 2011 at 10:13 AM
Great idea! Off to check out the article, have a great one! Janell
Posted by: Janell Beals | May 26, 2011 at 09:01 AM
I used that fabric for the black-out roman shades in my newborn twins' nursery! I love it! And this is a great idea for what to do with the fabric I have left over! Thanks, Eddie!
Posted by: Tara | May 26, 2011 at 08:45 AM
I love this idea! So non-committal :)
I love old things, but the billy really is so affordable and versatile check out my billy butler's pantry - http://monkeygrasshill.blogspot.com/2010/11/drum-roll-please-for-butlers-pantry.html
Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Julie LoRusso | May 26, 2011 at 08:32 AM
I LOVE, love this idea. I am so doing this to a bookshelf I have in my upstairs hallway. Once again, you rock Eddie!
Posted by: suzanne spina | May 26, 2011 at 08:00 AM
Looks amazing...of course.
Posted by: Milk and Honey Home | May 26, 2011 at 07:57 AM
Love this idea for a quick change in a bookcase! Wondering if you saw my Wine Cork Wall on April 2 post - similar to this idea of yours!
Posted by: patti | May 26, 2011 at 07:44 AM
I do wish I could curb my appetite for filling every square inch with books long enough to enjoy something as gorgeous as this...
But alas, it is an addiction...
Posted by: Alison At BrocanteHome | May 26, 2011 at 07:40 AM
I love this idea...Billy has so many tricks up his sleeve...no?
Posted by: Linda @ Lime in the Coconut | May 26, 2011 at 07:19 AM
That's the sort of project you wish you'd done sooner. It adds so much character and is so simply done. Thanks for sharing and inspiring, as always!
Posted by: rachael | May 26, 2011 at 04:02 AM
Um, awesome! I love the way this chic fabric makes this otherwise cheap bookshelf look totally sophisticated. LUV. Beyond that, you have the perfect touch when it comes to accessorizing. Do you follow a formula? Or were you taught a method in school? Or does this just come naturally to the uber talented? Seriously, I'd love a post dedicated to details and finishing touches! Pretty please! :)
Posted by: Amanda | May 26, 2011 at 12:46 AM
That looks fantastic! I love the idea of putting it on foam core - you *always* have the best ideas!
Posted by: traci zeller designs | May 26, 2011 at 12:33 AM
Great inspiration - love the fabric you chose. OK but now I've got that song in my head! Oh yes, when I was about 9 my friends and I put on a neighborhood play and that was one of the songs we acted out!
Posted by: my notting hill | May 26, 2011 at 12:00 AM
This is truly one classic piece of furniture. I did this to two of my Billy's as projects in a decorating book I wrote back in 94. I still have the bookcases, but have switched the fabric a few times. I cut cardboard from large appliances boxes as FomCor was not so easy to find back then and was expensive. Now you can get it at the dollar store. Enjoyed the post,but now I can't get that song out of my head.
My best- Diane
Posted by: Diane@InMyOwnStyle | May 25, 2011 at 10:52 PM
I love this idea and your choice of fabric! Thanks for stopping by my blog the other day! :)
Jessie
www.mixandchic.com
Posted by: Jessie | May 25, 2011 at 10:36 PM
Okay, this is genius! I love that it's not a permanent part of the bookcase, so you can change it out whenever you tire of the color or fabric. I will look for a copy of the magazine, I can't wait to see what other great ideas you have for us.
Kat :)
Posted by: Kat | May 25, 2011 at 10:29 PM
Okay, Eddie, this is too funny! I did this with this same bookcase (it's IKEA, right?) Love your take on dressing up a "plain Jane!"
Posted by: Hamptontoes | May 25, 2011 at 10:27 PM
Cute idea, pretty colors. Foam-core and fabric swap-out...why didn't we think of that before?
xoxo
Evy
Posted by: Evelyn Weiss | May 25, 2011 at 10:10 PM
Love this tip! I like pattern in unexpected places. I posted about wallpaper in a closet a year or two ago... in fact, I had a photo of a Farrow and Ball wallpaper that was in the same colorway but wasn't geometric. Great idea for a cheap little piece that looks totally custom.
Posted by: Laura Roberts | May 25, 2011 at 10:03 PM