My great-grandfather made this bookshelf quite a few years ago. My mother’s father then had them in his apartment. When he passed away two years ago, my mother’s younger sister took them and had it in her basement. She has two younger children, so it endured some crayon and marker marks, but it had been refinished in a cheaper black paint anyways, so it wasn’t the prettiest thing in the world when I got it anyway. I just moved into a new apartment, and painted my walls grey and lavender, my favorite colors. The black paint was chipping, and it just didn’t fit. It was too harsh. Then I realized how PERFECTLY it fit under the mirror in my foyer, so I found some leftover white and lavender paint and went to town. Since the foyer is small, I wanted to paint the back panel lavender, to match the walls. This helps the bookshelf kind of meld into the space. Now I see it as soon as I walk into my new home and I love it!

Submitted by Kate of The Swankest

Check out the before picture of Kate’s grandfather’s shelves!

A Sentimental Salvage is the story behind that truly special, one-of-a-kind piece in your home. It may be furniture that’s been in your family for years or an accessory you delighted in finding yesterday. However long it’s been in your life, this piece of your home holds special meaning and sentimental value. Email salvagedgrace@gmail.com if you’ve got a Sentimental Salvage of your own to share.