Built-in bookcase: Episode 2

The big painting project that will likely take up most of this summer has officially begun!  Step one was to paint the built-in bookcase white to match the trim.  When you last saw it, it looked like this:

Last weekend when I had some free time, I decided to start with the cabinet doors - mostly to avoid having to unplug the TV :)  I think I mentioned before that I had searched out the same paint that had been used by the previous owners on the trim, so I could match it.  The people at the paint store also recommended using a particular kind of primer that bonds and seals because of the heavy-duty usage this thing gets.  

Here's my little workshop that I set up in my house.  I waited to start this until it was warm enough outside that I could open up the windows - unfortunately what I had not pieced together was that that also meant I spent most of a really nice weekend inside.  Bad planning on my part, but it felt good to get started on this thing that I've been anticipating for so long!

Anyway, I didn't have space to do all 8 doors at once, so I just worked on 4 at a time.  Obviously there are two sides to each door, so that's 16 sides x 1 coat of primer x 3 coats of topcoat.  And each of those takes a couple hours before you can even touch them, and the 8 hours before you can put another coat on.  All of which is to say - it was a lengthy process, and brought home how long it's going to take to do the rest of the bookcase.  Oy. 

But finally getting the doors done made it feel a lot more real, and will definitely spur me to get moving on the rest of the bookcase very, very soon.  I've got next Friday off of work, and have officially blocked off the ENTIRE weekend - literally, on my calendar - to work on finishing it up.  The white doors already look very crisp and clean and modern, so I can't wait to see the final result!