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Click to watch YouTube Tutorial – https://youtu.be/YWPWeWqG6kw 

I had seen that Ikea’s hack Hemnes draws were potentially made out of real wood and seen some beautiful updates like the one below. But quickly realised mine was not one of those. Mine was made out of MDF and laminate so I had to get creative if I still wanted to fulfill my dreams of upcycling it to be a beautiful wooden dresser to match my rustic industrial home.

This was the inspo post I looked at Saida Stiles – Ikea Dresser Makeover

So I wanted to try and recreate something like this, now if you follow me over on @TheWhiteThistle you’ll know I absolutely love Frenchic and use it for all of my makeovers, because it is a water based, self-priming, self-sealing and easy to use, it has self-levelling properties, meaning little to no brush marks. You do need to be a little careful with it for about 2 weeks after painting as the paint cures it get stronger.

For more advice, tips and inspiration join my Facebook Community: Upcycled & Flipped 

Tools & Equipment for this IKEA hack:

• Sugar Soap – https://frenchicpaint.co.uk/collections/frenchic-sugar-soap/products/frenchic-sugar-soap/?ref=abihugo
• Sand paper – https://amzn.to/3Ej9ez3
• Loof – https://frenchicpaint.co.uk/products/loof/?ref=abihugo
• Salt of the Earth – https://frenchicpaint.co.uk/products/salt-of-the-earth/?ref=abihugo
• Cream Dream – https://frenchicpaint.co.uk/products/cream-dream/?ref=abihugo
• Browning Wax – https://frenchicpaint.co.uk/collections/sealants-top-coats-waxes/products/browning-wax/?ref=abihugo
• Grain Tool – https://amzn.to/3jA3JnB 

Step by Step IKEA hack:

1. Start by painting two thin coats of Salt of the Earth it may look a little steaky but that’s ok as it only adds to the grain look!
2. Once dry paint on a thick coat of Cream Dream

FAQ

Q: Can you use other colours/waxes –

A: Yes I actually tried just cream dream and browning wax initially and it turned out lovely I just wanted a more contrasting effect colour on this piece.

Q: Could you do this for a kitchen worktop –

A: having personally never done it I cannot comment honestly but if I were to do it I would make sure to seal it with a varnish like Osmo which is clear and matt after the browning wax had fully dried

Q: Where is the painting in the frame from –

A: it is from a lovely lady I follow on Instagram @e.t.shown_home

Q: Is the IKEA Hemnes dresser not made out of wood?

A: Some are and some aren’t the simplest way to tell apparently (someone who works for Ikea told me) is you can see the wood grain under the paint of the ones made from wood and the ones that arent the finish looks shiny. And if in doubt you can always sand back a little bit and you will soon see

For more advice, tips and inspiration join my Facebook Community: Upcycled & Flipped 

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