I LOVE stuff like this!  I would take the shelves out and:

1) paint the entire wall (including in the shelving area) with the Lamp Post and snow scene of Narnia. 

2) Paint the Unit brown and do a faux wood finish on the cabinet doors to look like the wardrobe.

3) Buy the 2" fiber board letters (available at Hobby Lobby etc) and spell out the names of the different supplies to be stored; ie: BRUSHES,  PAPER, CRAYONS, PENCILS, ACRYLIC PAINT, TEMPRA PAINT  etc. Paint them bright colors and then, using small wood screws, attach the letters to the shelves. They will act both as labels and bumpers for the supplies.

Lots of work but it would look cool. Let us know what you finally decide.

Why don't you cover up a few of the opening with a bulletin board--could attach it at the top with some hooks and eyes.  Then post some of the kids' latest artwork on those bulletin boards. 

 

Still thinking about what you could put on top of the shelves--besides your bulkier supplies.

 

Cathy

Thanks for the good suggestions.

 

Snix, have you fastened lettering to a shelf? I would think the kids would snap it off.

 

I like the idea of lettering and it makes me think of putting a Bible quote above the unit.

 

Also like the idea of covering some of the shelves as a display space. Now thinking about what "off the rack" covering I could fasten there.

 

More ideas welcome.

Could cover up the end portions of the cabinet with "movie curtains." Use this type of fabric (it is fire proof and is what I made our stage curtains out of).

 

How to hang? Not sure that tension rods at the top of a shelf section would be strong enough but you could install a shower curtain type of rod. (With the cups at the end). Or do a rod across the entire unit?  Sew a rod pocket at the top of the fabric so that it could be pulled to the side to access stuff hiding behind on the shelves. Here's a mock-up:

 

 

Not shown: The idea of doing the curtains from the top of the room -- more long term storage behind, on the top shelf!

 

-- Carol

Why not put paint buckets along the top (much as you would do the baskets of ivy you mentioned) and have fabric flowing out of the buckets - a different color for each bucket.  Then paint the backs of the shelves different colors to match the "paint."

You could paint each section a liturgical color.  I do like the bulletin board idea, too.

 

I have some Biblical bobble-head dolls - something like that might be fun across the top!

 

Julie Burton

Biblical bobbleheads!!
I have a Jesus bobble head.
Post your photos!