It’s makeover time! I am so excited to have had the opportunity to work with Hickory Hardware to recreate an Ikea Rast Dresser utilizing their wide assortment of pulls. Let me introduce you to my Ikea Rast Hack.
*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 shop. 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!
To get these DIY tips & tricks in your inbox, 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:
You totally rocked this one. I love, love, love the film strip sides. That is like the icing on the cake as far as fun goes and those pulls are dynamite. Great work!!
Ha! Thanks, Kim. Yes, those pulls are funky fun. 🙂
Wow… this is awesome!! What a creative spin on this IKEA rast!!!!!!!!
hee hee…thank you! It was fun and I love what you did with yours in one of my favorite colors. 😉
That’s quite a dream you had! Could see in a kids room with said kid explaining” this is from the olden days”. Love it!
What a sweet vignette that would be!
I saw the sneak peek over on Instagram and had to rush right over to see the whole piece. This is adorable! I always love your projects but this may be my all-time favorite Rast hack. Including the one I did for my kitchen!
Great job!
Ha! Fun! I’d love to see what you did with it. It’s such a blank canvas with sooo many possibilities.
FAB-U-LOUS! <3 <3 <3
Fantastic job Larissa!
Thank you, Jen! Your suitcase dresser was da bomb!
I collect vintage Kodak cameras. I have several Six-16s and I can attest that every detail of this wonderful dresser is PERFECT! Love it. I’m sharing on my Once Upon a Firefly FB page.
Fantastic! I love the uniqueness of these pieces and love to share them with my kids. 🙂
Oh this is just too darn cute!!!!
Ha! Thanks, Jill!
That is just over the top adorable!!!!
You’re so sweet…thank you!
That is one sweet IKEA Rast Hack – love it Larissa! Something tells me this won’t be in your Etsy shop long.
Thank you for stopping by, Marie. It was a fun project for sure!
Awesome dresser!! It looks fantastic! Love the film drawer sides!
Thank you, Sherry! Those drawers were just begging to be drawn out. Makes it even more fun!
Beyond fabulous!
Thank you, girl!
How completely creative is that??? VERY!! Love it…it’s awesome!!!
Nancy
Awesome job, Larissa! You are so creative! I love everything about this hack!!
Oh my gosh Larissa!! How incredibly creative and what a desirable piece of furniture!! You are one of the most imaginative designers ever!
I’m so proud of you!!
Hey lady! Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet words. It was a fun project!
you are AMAZING!!!! this is mega chic and cool, love love!! xo
You are too kind, Ananda. Thank you for stopping by and showing me some love! 🙂
Way outside the box, Larissa. You are so creative and the finished piece is absolutely museum quality!
Hahaha…thank you! It was so fun and I can’t wait to have another one to do.:)
Oh Larissa, this one is so quirky, cute, fun and adorable! Love it, very imaginative! And those legs are a perfect match…
Thank you, Brenda! I just LOVE hairpin legs. 🙂
I LOVE it!!! What a super cool idea, Larissa!
Thank you so much, Julia! I hope to win the Hickory Hardware contest…fingers crossed. 😉
This is gorgeous and would look great with my vintage camera collection! 😉
Thank you! I’m on the hunt for a vintage chest in need of a makeover. 😉
larissa, I love everything you do! I have a young friend who is a photographer and I’d love to make her one of these! I don’t have a projector so I’m going to have to go see the other method you mentioned cause I really must do this! and the vintage van dresser – you make it all look so fun!
Thank you, Jill! It si fun and your daughter will love it because it’s unique and because you created it for her. Have fun with it and show me what you do! 😉
Larissa, this is my most favorite Ikea Rast Hack Ever! Such adorable funky cuteness I can’t stand it!
YAY!! Happy to hear it, Brenda! I haven’t decided if I’ll do another, but it was fun for sure.
I absolutely adore this! My mom had a Brownie when I was a kid. Thanks for a memory!
aww…how fun! It is my pleasure to share. Than you for the love, Janet. 😀