*project provided by Hickory Hardware (see full disclosure)
This is my first time ever laying hands on any Ikea furniture since the closest store is over an hour away. If you know me, then you know I typically deal with vintage/antique furniture. This was a new avenue and working with a new piece was fun. When I first laid eyes on the Rast dresser (retail $34.99) this is what I saw:
It's a total blank slate, just ready for creativity. Fun! My mind instantly saw a vintage box camera. The dresser is boxy and perfect for some hand-painted goodness.
For this makeover, we had our choice of pulls from Hickory Hardware, and I wanted a sleek, vintage-looking pull. This is what I chose:
It's called the Aero Chrome and you can find it here.
A talented blogger friend of mine, Pam at House of Hawthornes, has a similar taste to mine in her decor. She also adores vintage cameras like myself. When I saw her beautiful Brownie camera, I knew it would be the perfect model for my dresser.
DIY TIME
After opening up the box, I laid everything out to paint with the basic black paint for the cabinet.
Because the dresser was designed to incorporate the included round knobs, I needed drill an extra hole for each pull I was adding. Since my pulls measured 3" center-to-center, I just measured 3" from the existing hole and drilled. Easy enough.
After that, the cabinet sides, top, and drawer fronts all got painted with the black paint. And because I'm quirky, I decided to do a fun peek-a-boo drawer to look like film strips. I used my metallic silver paint as a base and the same black paint as before with a sponge brush to get that effect.
It's starting to come together and I'm getting excited!
Assembly of the dresser was straightforward with the manual. Thankfully only a couple minimal tools were needed.
To create that camera design, I projected the image onto my dresser front with an artist's projector, but you could also use this method. In order to create those crisp lines, I used Frog Tape down the front of the dresser and hand-painted in the design.
I wanted to give this boxy beauty some height, and in order to do that I added some 1 x 4's to the base. Next, I added some perfect little hairpin legs. I love those things and use them in my rustic furniture for my shop.
I'm delighted at how it all worked together and turned out just as I had envisioned.
THE REVEAL
Isn't it sweet?
On the sides I left those screw heads showing because they reminded me of the screws that hold a box camera together.
I don't know about you, but I'm not sure which feature I love more, the hairpin legs...
the peek-a-boo film strip sides...
or those sleek pulls.
Best new is that it is on its way to its new home from my online store.
This project was so fun that it won me a whole kitchen worth of new hardware and I can't wait to show you in our kitchen remodel.
I hope you've enjoyed this Ikea Rast Hack because I sure had fun giving it a try!
Before you go, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. Until next time!
If you like this Ikea Rast Hack, then I know you'll enjoy these:
