I thought I would share a little DIY project with your today. A few months ago I decided to get back out to HQ again and start crafting. You will very shortly be seeing the results of this mission, but in the meantime I thought you might like my easy drawer makeover and see how I revamped the plain old white metal IKEA drawers that I have used out there for years.
Look at the pic above and you’ll see that the drawers hold up my work surface now instead of having a desk, saves space and managed to sell the desk – good result on two counts.
Each drawer is different, a different pattern and a quirky drawer pull too.
These metal drawers come with two holes punched in front for a screw in metal handle. For the first part of the make over just ignore them completely and cover them over.
First thing to do is look out a batch of papers that you’d like to cover the drawers with. I used old music sheets, a French newspaper, wrapping paper, a bit of wallpaper and an old ledger.
Don’t worry if your paper is too small for the drawer front, you can use a nice collage/patchwork effect to cover the whole space if you have to.
I left a little border of approximately 1-2mm around the edges of my drawer fronts. This was so that I wouldn’t have the paper right on the edge where even when well glued it could become ratty and torn. This tiny border also made for a neater look.
Measure up your paper or mix of papers to fit the drawers and have them all cut out and ready.
Use PVA (white craft glue – much cheaper if you buy in bulk from DIY store than little bottle in a craft/art shop) and paint this on to the drawer front. Now lay on your paper and smooth it out so there are no air bubbles popping up or ruckles. Leave to dry.
Do the same with all the drawers.
As they are drying you can work on your handle ideas. I used simple green florists wire (ask in local florist to buy some they usually sell it in 1 foot lengths and you can buy about 10 sticks for £1 here. Go for the thickest variety for this task as you want a strong handle.
Push a big bead (old charity shop necklaces are great for this) into the middle of the wire. Start at one end and tie on a piece of thin ribbon, string or wool, embroidery theread. knot this in place and wrap tighting with a little sticky tape to secure to the wire. Now wrap and wind the stuff round the wire. When you get to the bead just loop around it and carry on winding to the end of wire. Tie a knot and again wrap with sticky tape to secure. Do as many handle wires as you need making them as different and whacky as you like.
When the drawers are completely dry feel for the holes for handles and carefully poke with a pencil to make a small hole in the paper that goes right through.
Now mix your PVA glue in a bowl/old yogurt carton is perfect for this with 50% water and stir well.
Using a sponge ended brush you are going to paint this mixture all over the fronts that you have glued the paper to. Just slap it on and make sure the entire surface (especially the edges where paper meats metal) is completely covered.
Set aside to dry. Leave your brush submerged in the glue mix so it doesn’t dry out and go hard, cover the jar with a lid or clingfilm.
Do the same thing again and leave to dry. This is acting like a good solid clear varnish on the paper and protacting it from peeling off or getting damaged.
When everything is completely dry poke the wire handle through the holes and twist the two ends together on the inside of the drawer. This will give you a good strong little handle on the front.
Now for the fun part. Decide what drawer goes where to create a fun and colourful look.
I added luggage labels edged with glitter so that I could write what was in each drawer.
I love this brighter new look, it makes my studio look much more personal and a fun place to be.
Karon x
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