Preschool Shelves {out of a Fireplace Screen}

I am getting a bit more picky these days!
Let me explain myself…
One of our neighbors moved out this week and I swore to myself I would not take anything.   Actually after looking at their pile I thought there was nothing that interested me anyway, thank goodness. My Love was surprised and proud that I had an ounce of will-power.  I don’t know, I am really only interested in furniture pieces anyway.
Of course then the very next day my friend called me and asked me to pick up any kind of low shelves that I come across so that she can use it for her preschool classroom.  I immediately thought of the discarded fireplace screen down the street and went to go see if it was still there.
Here is one for sale on Etsy for $119, so I guess they do still use them and I’m sorry if I offended anyone saying they are old school!

Let me back up again…When I walked by it the other day with my neighbor we joked together that the fireplace screen was so “crafty old school” and something that we saw in the numerous craft shows visited in the 1980’s.  We laughed and moved on.   Two days later I find myself thinking of the little wooden piece of artwork and could not get it out of my mind.

Lo and behold, I was picking it up and dragging it home.  
Here it is up close: 

The rundown of what I did: 

Pryed/pried(?) apart the top backing board and lowered it a bit in order to use it as a support for my new shelf.
I took apart a little quilt rack that I picked up and stored awhile back in hopes that the wood pieces would come in handy in the future…and now is the time to use it. 
(Just imagine it with night-vision)
A little too country for my taste to leave as is ,but excellent pre-cut wood pieces to support the shelves. 
Next I puddied up the gaps with wood filler and then lightly sanded over the entire piece. 
My beautiful assistant, LadyBug helped me to paint it on the inside. 
She did a great job.
We prettied and spruced up the paintings on the houses with a gold paint pen to add a bit more bling.
The middle house represents the church’s preschool where my friend works. 
I love how it looks with books on the shelves, just low enough for preschoolers to grab without getting hurt. 
I can even foresee it being used as a little doll house by adding partitions and furniture.
What do you think?  Do you like the way it turned out? 
I hope it gets lots and lots of use. 
P.S.  My friend LOVED it!  🙂 
Have a great weekend!
~Tami
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13 thoughts on “Preschool Shelves {out of a Fireplace Screen}”

  1. What a cute idea! I never would have thought to do this, but I just love it! I think it would be really cute to make a dollhouse/doll stores, since I think I spotted a dress shop and bakery.

    Reply
  2. This is SO cute!

    I wanted to let you know that I am now following you on Pinterest.

    I wanted to invite you to my blog. I just began a new linky party entitled “Friday’s Favorite Pin” where you link up your favorite pin of the week.

    Have a lovely weekend.

    Reply
  3. Sometimes you are just too good to be true, Miss Curb Alert!!! Oh Tami, I think I've said this before but I'll say it again – I sure wish you lived down the street from me!!!!!!!!!!! We'd have so much fun.

    Reply

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