Friday, 28 December 2012

Exorcising ghosts with an Ikea hack...(moppe)

We've all done it. Bitterly regretted those Charity shop/boot sale finds that we didn't buy. A few months ago I spotted a sweet little chest of drawers at the boot sale that must have come from an old haberdashers shop. It had age, a wonderful patina that the best furniture fakers wouldn't be able to copy and it was so dinky, it would have been the perfect size for cotton reels. Lots of them.

I ummed. Where would it fit? I aahed. What would my husband say?
I walked away.

I went back again. Still there. Still not sure...
I left it again.

I walked by one more time. And a lady was buying it. Not just buying it but buying it with loud excitement and joy.

And that's when I knew I wanted it. I kicked myself all the way home. What's the point of getting up when it's dark and getting myself there first if my brain isn't switched on enough to make the right decision? Once home I looked on ebay and that broke my heart even more. I could've had it for £20 and they can sell for over £100 on ebay.

More recently, I found this.

A little Ikea moppe chest. Nothing special. But only a few quid.

But if you dye the wood walnut, turn the drawers around, wax it, add funky industrial card holder handles you might get something like this:

 
Oh, it's not a patch on the one I missed, but looking on the bright side, I can fit more in it!

So you see, an Ikea hack can go some way to exorcising the ghost of the one that got away. 

Proper stylin'! Oh yeah.

Credit where credit is due. I didn't invent this. I saw it here first on The Painted Hive so thanks to Kristine for sharing. She has a lovely blog. She also has a free printable with her tutorial for vintage style cards to fit inside your card holders.
There's a whole subculture of Ikea hackers out there pimping Ikea furniture with some incredible results.

I used Rustins wood dye in Walnut (2 coats), Liberon beeswax, and handles from  this guy on ebay asking him if he could swap the screws for shorter ones which he kindly did. (NB they are still too long and poke through the back of the drawers but I can live with that so long as they match!)

[It hasn't escaped me that it looks like something I would bring home with the intention of painting it!]

Linking with The Rosegarden in Malevik
and Funky Junk Interiors SNS
and Carters Cottage 
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24 comments:

  1. Anne28 December 2012 at 18:52

    It looks fantastic, you would never know it was an ikea item!

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    Replies
    1. Emma Kate at Paint and Style28 December 2012 at 18:57

      Thanks Anne! Here's another amazing hack that looks like an antique at the end of it!
      http://www.megmadedesigns.com/2012/08/ikea-meets-vintage-printers-cabinetwhat.html
      There are some incredibly creative people out there!

      Delete
    2. Donna29 December 2012 at 09:07

      It looks amazing I love it. I have one and I keep it under the bed because its so ugly.

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    3. Emma Kate at Paint and Style29 December 2012 at 09:13

      Thank you Donna!

      Delete
  2. mabelandmaisy28 December 2012 at 19:22

    Genius! You're makeovers are fab and are almost tempting me to get one of my " projects" out of the garage and make a start!! ;-)

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    Replies
    1. Emma Kate at Paint and Style28 December 2012 at 19:37

      Thank you! I'm on a roll at the mo but the house is a right mess while I tinker about. ;)

      Delete
  3. Edtiaflicka28 December 2012 at 19:24

    Wow, really nice!

    /Ida

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  4. Fiona28 December 2012 at 19:47

    Fabulous makeover, love it.

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  5. Hook, Line and Sink Her28 December 2012 at 21:41

    I've definitely been there and done that with a bargain or two- the ones that got away *sob*. I love your makeover- and your new drawers are all the more wonderful because you did it yourself. And if you become a famous furniture upcycler you can always sell them on ebay for £100 :) xx

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    Replies
    1. Emma Kate at Paint and Style28 December 2012 at 22:14

      Yes, when I'm the next Lawrence LLewellyn Bowen I shall sign my tat and do just that! x

      Delete
  6. Curtise28 December 2012 at 21:42

    Oh I know just how you feel about the ones that got away... I tend to get things when I see them now (within reason) as I have learned the hard way that I regret it when I don't!
    You did a great job on the makeover, I have a similar set which my daughter uses, but I might just steal it back and do a similar version. xxx

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  7. Anonymous29 December 2012 at 11:00

    You always know how to upset me! well make me kick myself anyway. You snaffled that wonderfully large crocheted blanket a few weeks ago and now you have turned a piece of tat from Ikea into something I covet. I am desperate for a couple of these for my new craft area and bing! you have done exactly what I was looking to do but far to nervous to do.

    You me lady are a genius when it comes to re-inventing furniture. I am now going to have to scour for the ikea draws (as Husband wont go to Milton Keynes to by them new) and you may get a plea for HELP!

    I am heading to the painted hive too, for a nose about.

    Rebecca x

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    Replies
    1. Emma Kate at Paint and Style29 December 2012 at 12:01

      This will make you feel better: that huge crochet blanket had a massive hole in it where one of the crochet squares had unravelled so it was no good!
      I'm jealous you have a new craft area! Sounds fab! Those drawers turn up at the boot sales all the time. Especially the huge ones in the summer. Everyone has them! And they are dead easy to do!
      See you soon! x

      Delete
  8. Vix29 December 2012 at 15:18

    You are a genius! I don't know how many times I've seen those in charity shops and disregarded them. Love those handles. x

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    Replies
    1. Emma Kate at Paint and Style29 December 2012 at 16:06

      Thanks Vix, the handles cost far more than the drawers but heck, I'm worth it! x

      Delete
  9. Unknown29 December 2012 at 15:25

    Ooh, I know how that feels. Still kicking myself for not buying a big tin of black top quality emulsion, reduced to £2. I just couldn't think at the time that I would ever use black, but when I got home it did occur to me I could have mixed it with countless other colours, white for example? Duh! All the furniture I could have painted in lovely shades of grey if I had just switched on my brain at the time. It was only £2 any way, should have been twenty-odd quid. What was I thinking?!! Needless to say, it was gone when I went back for it.

    The Ikea 'hack' is brilliant by the way, presume you just turned the drawers round? Genius!

    Antonia x
    http://tidyawaytoday.wordpress.com

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  10. gill29 December 2012 at 20:48

    I've done that so many times myself, dithered over something that doesn't cost much then watching someone else snap it up! I should have learnt by now to be more decisive. Your little chest of drawers looks great,well done x

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  11. Unknown10 January 2013 at 15:55

    Hi Emma,

    Can I ask how you used the Liberon beeswax? I've taken a tip from a friend about massaging it between two smooth polishing clothes to warm it up and them applying it to glossed wood. I haven't got the desired effect yet so I was wondering if somebody more experienced has had any joy? I've been getting my Liberon at uktoolcentre but I'd be equally interested to know if you've found it cheaper online elsewhere?

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    Replies
    1. Emma Kate at Paint and Style10 January 2013 at 16:45

      Hi Thomas, I use the Liberon wax with pure turpentine which is soft and I tend to work indoors so no softening required. I only use it on porous surfaces like raw wood or over paint like emulsion so I don't know about glossed wood. But definately try the softer waxes over the hard.
      The Uk tool centre prices look good and I see they accept paypal but I often get it on ebay.

      Delete

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