We’re back with the after photos of our freshly painted built-ins. For this makeover we chose an inky blue-green shade called Dragonfly from Benjamin Moore’s Affinity collection, color-matched to a no-VOC Olympic paint from Lowe’s. We only needed a small quart of paint, and because we used accessories we already owned on the shelves, this entire built-in refresh cost us just $10.97.
In the previous post we explained how we planned the shelf placement and layout; you can read more about that process here. For nostalgia’s sake, here’s a poorly lit progress photo from last night—yes, John’s shirt really does say “Talk Nerdy To Me” on the back. I love it.
But the part you really want to see: the bookcases are painted. We spent a nervous few minutes watching them dry so we could put the shelves back in and start styling. Because the room faces north, the light changed as the day progressed, so the color looks slightly different in some shots. Even with the variations, we absolutely love the result. It’s bold, high-contrast, and a look we probably wouldn’t have dared in our previous home.
What we’re most taken with is how moody and dynamic the Dragonfly shade is. Depending on the time of day, the light in the room, and the viewing angle, it can read greener, bluer, darker, or lighter. That subtle shifting is part of why it feels so special in the space; it never looks flat.
All of my white ceramic animals and other fragile pieces really pop against this saturated backdrop. The deep color makes the white objects look crisper and brighter by comparison, which is exactly the contrast I was hoping for. The cabinets themselves appear cleaner and more defined, too—a small but impactful upgrade.
We included a couple of photos that are closest to how the color looks in real life, though color rendering will always vary from monitor to monitor. Even so, the pictures give a good sense of the richness and depth of the paint.
Mr. Rhino (and his ceramic twin on the opposite side) approves. We do too—especially considering how little we spent. Because we love the shade so much, we’re already thinking about other places to use it around the house. It feels like a great candidate for a kitchen island base in a future renovation, and it could also translate beautifully to a bathroom vanity. Using the color in more than one place will help keep the home’s palette cohesive without feeling overly matchy.
If you’re curious about the small fabric-covered boxes on the right side of the shelf, we made those ourselves. Learn how we made them here. They’re an inexpensive way to add texture and storage while complementing the painted backdrop.
All in all, this little project reminds us that a single quart of paint and a few carefully chosen styling pieces can dramatically change the look and feel of built-ins. The result is a bold, moody, and versatile backdrop that elevates the room while staying budget-friendly.