DIY: 'Flower Power' Children's Bookshelf

This easy bookshelf is an adorable addition to a pink themed girl's room. Laminate bookshelves can be found at any home improvement, Target, or Wal-mart store, are relatively inexpensive, and hold up well against the abuses of childhood. If you aren't sure where to find primer made for laminate, speak to a representative at your local home improvement store paint department, as they should be able to help.

For this project you will need:

- A two or three shelf laminate shelving unit

- Medium grit sandpaper

- Tack cloth

- Painter's tape

- Primer made for laminate

- Two shades of pink semi gloss paint, on light and one bright

- White semi gloss paint

- Black semi gloss paint

- Clear polyurethane sealer

Start by lightly sanding down the top of the bookshelf with medium grit sandpaper, very lightly until it is no longer shiny. If you are going to paint more than just the top, be sure to sand any areas you wish to paint. Once the entire bookshelf has been lightly sanded, remove all dust with a tack cloth. (It is important that there is no excess sanding dust on the bookshelf before painting, or it can interfere with the paint.)

Paint anywhere you wish to add color with a thick coat of primer made for laminate. (This includes the entire top). Allow the primer to dry thoroughly.

Trace or hand draw on a large daisy design in the center of the bookshelf top. Next, use painter's tape to create a two inch diagonal stripe pattern across the top of the bookshelf. With the lighter shade of pink, paint every other stripe, making sure to carefully avoid the daisy pattern. Repeat this process, with the bright pink paint and any unpainted stripes. Allow both shades of pink paint to dry before removing the tape.

With an artist's brush, fill in the details of the flower. Paint every other flower petal a different shade of pink, alternating between a light shade and a dark shade. Paint the center of the flower with white semi gloss paint. Outline the flower details with the black semi gloss paint. Scrawl your child's name in the center of the flower once the white paint has dried. If you are planning on painting the whole shelf instead of just the top, do so now.