My new art room closet...
I'm in love with it, and can't wait to unpack more supplies and load those shelves! When we moved in, the closet had gold framed mirror doors and an awkward closet system. We removed the doors and moved the system to my daughter's closet where it's working perfectly. {More on that another day.}
At the stage above, I was dreaming a lot about what to do...I considered ebay hunting for enough flocked wallpaper to properly wallpaper the entire thing (which I still think would have been great). Or covering the entire closet with the pages of an old French book, but I decided to go for funky and different and used Alicia's closet door as my inspiration. Of course, her closet door looks different; it has such a clean outline, a fresh sweetness, and is not a crazy large space, but I'm sure you can see the resemblance. (And even some of the same paper since we traded long ago.)
So I began...cutting random pieces of paper, and rolling on wallpaper paste- which I have to say is my new favorite glue. Man, that stuff really works, dries fast and flat too. I was even using it on a metal cabinet the other day. It worked perfectly.
The names I gave the photos below when exporting them says it all:
"closet-going up"..."closet-slow going"..."closet-will it never end"...and "closet-finally finished".
It was a long, long, tedious process. I did it over many different nights, sometimes many days (weeks?) in between. One great thing I discovered is that I didn't have to clean the roller each time...just used it to roll glue on the back of the paper and when I came to a stopping point left it sitting uncovered. When I came back to it, I just wiped the dried glue out of the rolling pan, poured in more glue, and used the same roller. Maybe three times I had to pick off a little dried glue clump, but it was so worth it to not clean the roller or pan- two of my least favorite activities.
You can see that I also used some book pages and then even some photos too. I felt very Anthropologie-ish when I started doing that one. I did chuckle to myself when imagining what the person that buys this home after us will think. It's gonna take a special buyer to "get" this one. But that's not something I'm worrying about with this house. At our last home I thought about it from day one until the very end. Had I known we were going to be there 17 years, I would have proceeded differently. We thought we'd be there less than 5! That's why this time, I'm doing what we want from the very start. (And, by the way, the special touches or personality we did add are what ended up selling the house, so they said. Well, that and the fact that we put a very fair price on it to sell quickly in a bad market.)
Once the walls were covered, I had to figure out what to use for the shelves and support. My husband wanted to build nicely framed shelves like he did in my last art room, (that you can see a tiny bit of here) 
but I wanted something very light so that you would see as much of the paper as possible. So we decided on brackets and shelves. After going to Home Depot and Lowe's, we settled on a pretty typical wood bracket that had some nice features like pre-drilled holes and plugs for same. I decided to cover the sides of the brackets with plain ledger paper from an old ledger, and painted the front edge a creamy white. I covered the shelves with pages from an old French book. I used the same roller and wallpaper paste as I did on the walls which made it relatively easy to get the 30 (!!!) brackets and 8 different pieces of wood that needed cutting up done.
The hardest part of the whole project came next: patiently and impatiently waiting for my husband to build and install the shelves. Our schedule has been way too full lately for any consistent project. But today, he finished!
Here's a close up of a bracket and shelf:
And here's a shot of the closet wall. The photo is a photocopy of my Dad when he was a little boy (what a cutie!):
And now for my favorite part: loading the shelves! I've got a lot of organizing and purging to do, but I wanted to get something up there to show you a photo. (The top photo does not include the last shelf which was added on top today.)
{I'm sorry I don't have any wallpaper for sale at this time. Feel free to direct people to other sources in the comments section.}
Thanks Alicia, you know I love you and your endless creative inspiration!
okay... wow! that is FABULOUS! i LOVE it! i mean it! wow!
thank you so much for sharing! i am InsPiRed with a big "I"!
you have got to love the outcome! way to go!
(have had you saved as a favorite... really enjoy your blog)
Posted by: carissa | February 02, 2008 at 06:36 PM
This is such a great closet treatment. Absolutely beautiful! Great way to use up all those fabulous wallpaper bits too. :-)
Posted by: Tami | February 02, 2008 at 07:08 PM
WoW! Fantastic Pam! I am (coincidentally?!) doing an overhaul on my studio and closet and while I'm not going to wallpaper the whole thing I may need to "borrow" your borrowed idea!
It looks great! Congratulations on finishing such a big project!
:-)
Melissa
Posted by: Melissa McCobb Hubbell | February 02, 2008 at 07:24 PM
That's SPECTACULAR!
Posted by: Sarah | February 02, 2008 at 07:37 PM
That looks fabulous.
Alison
Posted by: Alison Gibbs | February 02, 2008 at 07:37 PM
The most beautiful closet I've ever seen. I redid my hall closets this summer and painted them a pretty blue, but nothing like this. What beauty! LOVE it!!!
Posted by: Rosa | February 02, 2008 at 07:47 PM
It looks fabulous! I covered some cheap box store shelves with book pages and I love how they came out. I'll try to take a pic tomorrow and post it...I've never shown them on my blog.
Posted by: joyce | February 02, 2008 at 08:10 PM
This looks FaBuLouS Pam! I think we all loved Alicia's door, but I wouldn't have thought of taking this spin on it. Smarty pants!
Posted by: Dede Warren | February 02, 2008 at 08:41 PM
Awesome! I have a feeling that this idea will find it's way into my art room!
Posted by: Mystele | February 02, 2008 at 08:42 PM
love, love, love the closet!! it deserves a new name, it's not a closet anymore!! did you dream about it every night while you were working on it? ~~~ i would have been dreaming about it every night!!!
meleen
Posted by: Meleen | February 02, 2008 at 08:47 PM
Wow! I loved the look when Alicia did it and your version is amazing.
Posted by: Tina (in Seattle) | February 02, 2008 at 08:59 PM
I have some vintage wallpaper but haven't listed it in my etsy shop yet. feel free to contact me over there at www.spiritualknitter.etsy.com. I've got 6 or 7 different kinds so you could get a good start on this look!
love the closet!
Posted by: Heidi | February 02, 2008 at 09:01 PM
Felicitations!!! So Beautiful, what a labor of love. Thanks for sharing your tips (re: paste et al)
Is the wallpaper glued to the actual wall? I would imagine that future tenants (if any) opening the closet for the first time, would be puzzled about which decade your handiwork took place in, because of the vintage papers. I think your creation is so magical and whimsical....you might think of writing a little note on the wall to introduce yourself or maybe share your feelings about the house :)
Posted by: Lilli | February 02, 2008 at 10:26 PM
What a fantastic project. This is really beautiful. I actually thought this was a dollhouse room when I first click your site.
Yes, it does have that Alicia Paulson flavor. I love the step by step too. It fun to see how much went into pulling it all together.
Posted by: Lisa | February 02, 2008 at 10:56 PM
this is just the cutest, pam. you have such a great eye, and such wonderful fresh ideas! i look forward to seeing more of the special touches you add to your new house.
Posted by: luanne | February 02, 2008 at 10:56 PM
you made such a wonderful art object out of the closet!
Posted by: Sara | February 03, 2008 at 01:43 AM
What a lovely closet! You did an awesome job!!
Posted by: Catherine M. Scanlon | February 03, 2008 at 04:46 AM
Even your art closet is a work of art. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Artsy | February 03, 2008 at 06:02 AM
that is so beautiful! I have been wanting to do that to my hallway and now I am even more inspired!
Posted by: jerusalem | February 03, 2008 at 06:12 AM
Outstanding!
Posted by: Judy in Carefree | February 03, 2008 at 06:49 AM
WOW....I had to keep looking at the photos over and over again...what a great craft closet you have. When it is finished it needs to be published in a magazine. Love it!
Lori
Posted by: vintage flair | February 03, 2008 at 06:55 AM
FABULOUS!
Posted by: Amy | February 03, 2008 at 07:42 AM
WOW!!! I think that may be the most beautiful closet i've ever seen! Nice work!
Maria
Posted by: Maria Kelly | February 03, 2008 at 07:50 AM
Stunning and so beautiful too, (actually cannot find the words to really describe how exciting this closet is!!) Thanks so much for sharing these pictures...gotta run, off to find more vinage wallpaper!
Posted by: Janet M. | February 03, 2008 at 08:02 AM
seriously!
seriously!!?!
this is delicious!!!
you amaze me and inspire me SO much!
xoxo
Posted by: kerry lynn | February 03, 2008 at 09:23 AM
wonderful wonderful idea !!! this is so awesome - makes me want to redo my closet !!
xo,
beth
Posted by: beth | February 03, 2008 at 09:26 AM
This is just beautiful! My closet in my scraproom is a total disaster. Not sure I could talk my Hubby into this. Maybe I will have to start working on him. Awesome idea LOVE it. (Since I am a patterned paper freak I may do it with scrapbook paper and then cover with some kind of sealant to make it more durable. Hmm) Thanks for sharing. Lori
Posted by: Lori Hedges | February 03, 2008 at 09:55 AM
WOW! This is a little bit of heaven on earth...an AMAZING closet filled with AMAZING stuff...you create magic! Thanks for always inspiring me!
Posted by: Suzanne Duda | February 03, 2008 at 10:25 AM
This is wonderful a work of art in itself - you get the patience and tenacity award! Love it!
Posted by: gina armfield | February 03, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Well---if that ain't INSPIRATION right between the eyes! I feel smacked (it was that good!). WTG. So well done. WooHoo!!!
Posted by: Cami | February 03, 2008 at 11:21 AM
oh Pam, to have that much "extra" wallpaper sitting around- I do envy you! It is GORGEOUS and I'm sure will inspire you every time you create!
Posted by: corey moortgat | February 03, 2008 at 11:25 AM
That is absolutely wonderful! The best part for me too is filling the shelves with all the studio goodness.
Posted by: Jill | February 03, 2008 at 12:32 PM
YOU Girls are soooo fabulously CREATIVE.....I wish I had your eye!! I have this Tv/armoire...that I was going to use for the computer but got something else instead for the computer and decided to repurpose the armoire for my DD TV in her room....She has a blue patchwork quilt and and one of the patches has a damask, I thought it would be fun to just wall paper the inset because it looked plain. Didn't know where to find the damask vintagely wall paper..I see you and Alicia have that..Or Alicia does...I'm hoping I can pick it up at the Rose Bowl flea market in April. Do you think they might have it there? Or where would you suggest my best bet would be...ebay? Thanks....you guys are like Creative geniouseses in my eyes...Thanks so much...I enjoy coming to your site...I want to be you when I grow up...hee hee.
Posted by: gabrielle | February 03, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Very cool example of taking an idea and making it your own. Very well thought out and executed.
- Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife
Posted by: the farmers wife | February 03, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Oh my gosh!!!! I absolutely adore your closet!!!! I believe it's the most beautiful thing I've seen in a long time! I've had my own artroom/studio for about three years now and am still working on "perfecting" it (you can see some photos of it on my blog, jstonestudio.blogspot.com). You have really given me some inspiration (and hope!) for doing something different in my own room! Thanks for sharing!!
Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer | February 03, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Oh my gosh!!!! I absolutely adore your closet!!!! I believe it's the most beautiful thing I've seen in a long time! I've had my own artroom/studio for about three years now and am still working on "perfecting" it (you can see some photos of it on my blog, jstonestudio.blogspot.com). You have really given me some inspiration (and hope!) for doing something different in my own room! Thanks for sharing!!
Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer | February 03, 2008 at 01:14 PM
YOU Girls are soooo fabulously CREATIVE.....I wish I had your eye!! I have this Tv/armoire...that I was going to use for the computer but got something else instead for the computer and decided to repurpose the armoire for my DD TV in her room....She has a blue patchwork quilt and and one of the patches has a damask, I thought it would be fun to just wall paper the inset because it looked plain. Didn't know where to find the damask vintagely wall paper..I see you and Alicia have that..Or Alicia does...I'm hoping I can pick it up at the Rose Bowl flea market in April. Do you think they might have it there? Or where would you suggest my best bet would be...ebay? Thanks....you guys are like Creative geniouseses in my eyes...Thanks so much...I enjoy coming to your site...I want to be you when I grow up...hee hee.
Posted by: gabrielle | February 03, 2008 at 01:14 PM
gawd. this is sooo beautiful!
Posted by: tricia | February 03, 2008 at 01:46 PM
Now THAT is one rockin' closet! Holy cow!
Posted by: Stephanie T. | February 03, 2008 at 01:58 PM
amazing...welcome home!!! It's official...I have a screen that could use this flourish...stunning...I just discovered d.Sharp today...so glad she has a blog!!! All the best in the world to you..Jennifer
Posted by: jennifer Paganellli | February 03, 2008 at 02:19 PM
WOW! Gorgeous. what a job, but so worth it! Easy for me to say, right? Thanks for sharing this.
Posted by: psmullican | February 03, 2008 at 03:58 PM
Wow - absolutely beautiful. I'll have to remember that. We're moving & I have to down size. Maybe I'll do that to a boring bookshelf.
Thanks for sharing!
Nerissa
Posted by: nerissa | February 03, 2008 at 04:20 PM
Girlfriend, you are amazing! That project just totally took things to a whole other level- do you realize this? LOL It really is FABULOUS! I just love it! What fun!...
Hugs,
Shannon
Posted by: Shannon J | February 03, 2008 at 04:59 PM
Wow! That is just incredible! I love it!
Posted by: Angie | February 03, 2008 at 05:39 PM
Wow. Fantastic.
Posted by: Alicia G. | February 03, 2008 at 05:47 PM
I am so in LOVE! and thanks for the link to a new addiction ... I mean blog :)
My hubby would kill me for doing this ... but we all have to die sometime, right?!?!?!
Posted by: CarrieJ | February 03, 2008 at 06:25 PM
It looks gorgeous, Pam. What a project! Thanks for sharing:)
Kari
Posted by: ArtsyMama | February 03, 2008 at 07:17 PM
Oh my goodness! Wow! I have never seen a closet I liked better!! You have far more patience than I! :0)
Beautiful results!
~Cerri xoxo
Posted by: Cerri | February 03, 2008 at 07:28 PM
That is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS, Pam!! WOW, I just love it!!
Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer Stewart | February 03, 2008 at 07:49 PM
Pam this is gorgeous. You are inspiring me. I LOVE it!
Posted by: Michelle Devine | February 03, 2008 at 08:04 PM
Love the look and feel of it:D Did you mention the "fabulous glue" that you used? I probably missed it!
Posted by: Linda Harre | February 04, 2008 at 05:45 AM
How FUN is this!!!!
This is such an inspiring post to just "Wallpaper" something!!!!
Pam you need to make a trip down south to our Barn Sales..Temecula Ca.
Once a month events......
Posted by: Prairie Home -Sherry | February 04, 2008 at 06:05 AM
It's beautiful...and I love the photos of you dad added in. But I am also an interior designer and house renovator...and offer one suggestion. If anyone else is going to embark on such a project, I suggest painting the walls with an oil base primer. The primer makes it a whole lot easier to remove at a later date.
Posted by: Michele | February 04, 2008 at 06:53 AM
Truly spectacular - so very inspiring - thank you for sharing...and I LOVE what you say about living your life and making your house YOUR home, not worrying about down the road. I need to listen to that advice. We've lived here 1 1/2 years and are still afraid to hang anything, for fear of making a hole in the wall - silly, really!
Posted by: Kirsten | February 04, 2008 at 07:41 AM
That is one GORGEOUS closet!
Love the shelves too!
Posted by: Monicaa | February 04, 2008 at 07:52 AM
I don't even know what to say. Your closet is so unbelievably fantastic! I have been studying each photo. Absolute perfection!
Posted by: Cammy | February 04, 2008 at 08:30 AM
Really really beautiful!!!! Love the idea of getting rid of doors, it looks lovely!
Posted by: Jennifer | February 04, 2008 at 08:30 AM
Oh wow! This is amazing.
Karla
Posted by: Karla | February 04, 2008 at 10:06 AM
I love it! I might have to copy! Great job! Julie
Posted by: julie | February 04, 2008 at 11:50 AM
HOLY FABULOUSNESS!!! OMG!
Posted by: Natalea | February 04, 2008 at 12:39 PM
oh my goodness!! I LOVE it!! it looks so fabulous!! great job!! xo Britt
Posted by: britt-sparkled vintage charm | February 04, 2008 at 01:36 PM
Brilliant, Pam. I think you've created a new wallpaper design. I've never been fond of wallpaper on walls because I prefer muted painted walls, but this would be perfect for small areas, panels, closets (obviously). Sort of like collaging areas of your living space.
I think you should copyright it right away,go into production, and let us know where we can buy rolls of it!
Posted by: Colette | February 04, 2008 at 01:57 PM
Brilliant, Pam. I think you've created a new wallpaper design. I've never been fond of wallpaper on walls because I prefer muted painted walls, but this would be perfect for small areas, panels, closets (obviously). Sort of like collaging areas of your living space.
I think you should copyright it right away,go into production, and let us know where we can buy rolls of it!
Posted by: Colette | February 04, 2008 at 01:58 PM
totally brilliant!!!
Posted by: kelly rae | February 04, 2008 at 06:58 PM
i also LOVE your closet - you're right~it looks like Anthropologie-my favorite place to shop! it also looks similar to "Free People" clothing line....maybe you should design for them. Caren
Posted by: caren K | February 04, 2008 at 07:35 PM
i could only dream of a closet like that, wow, it's a beauty and you are so clever and vreative, 2.
Carol M
Posted by: carol m | February 04, 2008 at 07:49 PM
i could only dream of a closet like that. you are so clever and creative, 2. love it.
carol m
Posted by: carol m | February 04, 2008 at 07:50 PM
This is FABULOUS! I'm so inspired to do something of my own!!
Love this!
XOXO
Analise
Posted by: Analise | February 04, 2008 at 11:50 PM
love it!!!!!!!!!!! very creative!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Lori | February 05, 2008 at 04:18 AM
wonderful!
spectacular!
totally YOU!
(gotta know...what is your new favorite glue?!)
Posted by: Kimberly Kwan | February 05, 2008 at 05:37 AM
Oh my god...I could live in that closet!
Posted by: jennifer | February 05, 2008 at 06:05 AM
Oh WOW!!! I LOVE it!! So fabulous and fun and pretty!
Michelle
Posted by: Michelle | February 05, 2008 at 06:42 AM
Oh my what a huge job, but wowee it's so pretty and looks *totally worth the work*.
enjoy your new space!
xoxs
Posted by: Miz Carla | February 05, 2008 at 07:11 AM
That looks AMAZING! I love it.
Posted by: Mary | February 05, 2008 at 07:29 AM
wow, that is the most beautiful closet i've ever seen!
Posted by: Jessica Hood | February 05, 2008 at 07:30 AM
I love your closet....I have a closet that in my art room just aching for a fun treatment I may just have to follow suit! thanks so much for sharing! tena
Posted by: tena Sprenger | February 05, 2008 at 08:22 AM
wow what an incredible job you did. I love it. wish i had the room to do that.
Posted by: stephanie | February 05, 2008 at 08:29 AM
Wow. I needed some new inspiration. I'm heading into an office redo, and what you've done here if fabulous!
Posted by: Liz | February 05, 2008 at 09:56 AM
Gorgeous. I love Alicia's door too. Maybe I need one now. I have been scared of my new house. I need to make it my own too.
Great Inspiriation.
Posted by: Lisa | February 05, 2008 at 12:14 PM
So - i am late with all the words - I have been saving my j peterman catalogs for some thing and now I know just what it will be. The shelf in my studio. I'll be book marking this post as a return trip.
Posted by: teresa | February 05, 2008 at 01:19 PM
That is beautiful!!! When I get my own scrapbook room, I'm going to do that to the closet!!! It's gorgeous!! Beautiful job!
Posted by: Amanda Newton | February 05, 2008 at 01:22 PM
Oh it's pretty. I love decoupaging of any kind (which is what I'd classify this as). Although, I have so so many scrapbook papers, I'd do mine in those and use just a regular sealant (since I wouldn't need archival quality for photo preservation - why spend the money on ModPodge!). I love even more that you covered even the shelves and brackets.
Posted by: chelsea | February 05, 2008 at 02:30 PM
WOW. That is REALLY fantastic! What a fabulous look! Very inspiring- thanks for posting this!
~Amber
Posted by: Amber | February 05, 2008 at 02:50 PM
BEAUTIFUL-you have given me a great idea for my room-thanks for the inspiration
Posted by: Bobbi in KY | February 05, 2008 at 04:30 PM
OMG, I couldnt believe my eyes when I saw this increadible closet, I immediately called my husband in to see and told him, this is it we are sooo going to do this. Thanks so much for sharing, I just love your ideas, and thoughts keep them coming. Kathy H.
Posted by: kathy Hansen | February 05, 2008 at 07:58 PM
Ooooo.. that is just FANTASTIC!!
Posted by: Sherry B | February 05, 2008 at 09:04 PM
Pam, your craft closet is AMAZING! It's been so much fun seeing how everyone has decorated the closets in their studio/craft spaces. This one tops them all!!!
Posted by: Jeanne | February 05, 2008 at 09:53 PM
Waouh !! It's absolutely beautuful ! I love it !! It's a very good idea. Perhaps i will do something like that for my room when i work !! I think that we are a lot to like your idea !
Thanks a lot for you interview for " The Garden of Mixed Media " ! It's a great pleasure for we, the little french :) See you later, maybe for The Show on Scrapbooking in Paris !! Bye
Posted by: Olympe | February 06, 2008 at 06:07 AM
...that closet is TOTALLY cool....I'm going to so steal that idea!!!!
Posted by: karen | February 06, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Absolutely gorgeous! This just cements my plans to do a wall in my studio with sheet music. Drooling over your closet!
Posted by: Casii | February 06, 2008 at 12:38 PM
cute idea...looks like it was a lot of work with all those wallpapers...very inspiring indeed!
please stop by and say hello...,I work in my studio everyday as an artist/designer/product developer...it is not nearly as organized as your art closet, but I seem to get the work done there...someday...
best,
carol eldridge
Posted by: carol Eldridge | February 06, 2008 at 01:18 PM
Love this idea. Enough so to maybe give it a go myself. Curious to know what wall color you are using in your house. I love the neutral shade, but it appears to have a bit more color than the melted vanilla icecream shade we have in our house.
Posted by: psmullican | February 06, 2008 at 01:55 PM
What fun! You have outdone yourself and made Alicia proud.
I am so glad you added the sequence photos.
Posted by: ginny | February 06, 2008 at 03:55 PM
Oh my goodness! This is so terrific. I might have to try something similar.
Posted by: Vickie | February 06, 2008 at 07:50 PM
completely and utterly FABULOUS!!!
Posted by: laura | February 07, 2008 at 12:08 AM
That is really beautiful! I saw your work on the Marie Zine project featured in Somerset Studio and came here to see more of your work. I thought the closet was a miniature art piece. You have given me some great ideas on how to beautifully display all my cool stuff that is tucked away in not so attractive plastic buckets.I am inspired, thanks for sharing.
Karan
Posted by: Karan | February 07, 2008 at 09:54 AM
Wow! What an inspiration. I literally drool everytime I see your picture of your closet. I want one!!! Such a great idea to utilize a space that would normally just be stuffed to the gills in no orderly fashion. Love it!!
Posted by: Jenny | February 07, 2008 at 12:30 PM
okay, you win...BEST CLOSET EVER!!!!!
I secretly love wallpaper paste, too. It is so brilliant and can be rolled on, how quick is that? More time for creating!
Posted by: cari | February 08, 2008 at 01:55 PM
stunny, what a beautiful idea!!
Posted by: anna | February 09, 2008 at 08:42 AM
So very pretty. I did this sort of thing a few years ago on an old found sort of rolling bank of drawers I use for my beads and beading supplies. It's done in a crazy quilted array of patterned papers, but I've often wished the project had come after my vintage wallpaper collection instead of before. It would like it much better with vintage wallpaper. However, I'm not about to redo it! Thanks for the wallpaper paste tip. That will be nice for larger projects. I don't think I would have ever thought to use wallpaper paste on wallpaper ;). Have you ever tried it on canvas or watercolor paper? Wonder how that would work? Would it be too wet?
Posted by: donnalayton | February 09, 2008 at 11:05 AM