My heart and eye are always drawn to the cast-offs. I think I even do the same people. I was always befriending the kids in school that no one wanted to play with. Yes, I was made fun of and assumptions were made, but I didn’t care. That’s how I felt about this worn out Mid Century Modern dresser I found online. At first, it needs some attention, but that’s easy-peasy. Check out how I’m going to turn this into an Ikat Mid Century Modern dresser. Let’s have some fun!
What’s Ikat you say? Ikat is a fabric made from an Indonesian decorative technique where the threads are tie-dyed before weaving. Some say ee-kat, while others say eye-kat. I go with the latter for today, but say it both ways. You can see an antique rocking chair I rebuilt and upholstered in that kind of fabric in this post HERE.
POTENTIAL
From the front, you wouldn’t see to many issues with it. There are some obvious scribbles and chipped veneer. In addition, if you ran your hand across the drawers, the finish would flake right off.
The top, however, was a a little more complicated.
Loads of wear, staining, and plenty of chipped veneer. The entire thing was so dry and brittle. Boy, it makes you wonder what people do to their furniture that makes it end up like this. Sad.
DIY TIME
First, to get this looking like the Ikat Mid Century Modern dresser I’m after, I filled the holes with wood filler.
See Lily eyeing the skylight above? She was watching a large moth that got trapped in the window. I’m assuming it rode in on our firewood. No worries though. She couldn’t reach it, but I did with a ladder and my kids butterfly net and took it outside. haha.
Okay, so my leopard looking dresser is ready for the next steps of sanding with my sander.
I was kinda hoping that the staining would come out of the top and I might be able to get away with staining, but that was no use. However, the stains were too bad, so we are on to painting. As a result, I did have to use a bit of Kilz primer to block the stains on top.
PAINT TIME
Next, it’s time to add a pretty soft peach color paint to get the job started. You can see how I’ve used this color before on this Mid Century piece HERE.
After two coats and letting cure in between, I move on to the faces of the drawer fronts. Notice I used the Apricot on the drawer pulls, but on the face I’m going for a fun color contrast of blue.
Since I will be adding a stencil to this to create the Ikat Mid Century Modern dresser I’m after, this blue is the perfect backdrop. Again, I applied two coats of the blue letting it cure in between coats.
STENCIL FUN
Here is the Ikat stencil I’ll be using. Are you ready for some more color fun? I am!
Stenciling is fun, and so easy to do with practice. I chose to use 4 different colors to create my pattern: Apricot, Vintage Duck Egg, Bleached Linen, and a Blue (yet to be named by me). A stencil brush or blunt stiff brush is key to getting it right, and the “less is more” mentality as well.
Place your stencil into position and use painter’s tape to hold it in place. Dip a bit of paint on your brush and tamp it off on a piece of scrap newspaper. Then, working in circular motions, fill the spaces. I used smaller brushes for the smaller designs.
Notice I’m working the pattern across the top and then down the fronts. Also, you could work down and then across as well. Either way is fine, just be sure to make your patterns line up.
Next, it’s time for the topcoat. In order to create a bit more dimension, I decided to use my gray wax.
THE REVEAL
Last, I buffed the wax with a soft cloth, and left to cure. Done! {{happy dance}} Take a peek at my video tutorial below. In it I share more tips & tricks used in my decision to paint.
Aren’t those colors so pretty? I just love the way the blush color softened this piece right up. The blue made for the perfect backdrop for my stencil and showcases that beautiful bow front on this dresser.
Now those stains and damage on the top are gone. Yahoo!! It feels so good to see a piece made new. It makes what I do worth doing. I’m sure you know what I mean.
VINTAGE VIGNETTE
I created my entire vignette for staging with thrifted finds. Staging is supremely fun in my line of work. Incidentally, I shopped my home and had a blast bringing it all together.
This Ikat Mid Century Modern dresser is now available in my online store if you’d like to make it your own. In addition, some of the staging pieces are available too. Stop by to see.
And…just for fun…
Also, pin and share this Ikat Mid Century Modern dresser makeover. So many potential furniture projects just waiting for some fun!
Up next, my six kids are taking center stage to show you what they do with these cupboard doors. Also, you can see where they came from HERE. Take a peek at what they all became in this post. Woot!
To get these DIY tips & tricks in your inbox, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. Until next time!
In addition, more like this Ikat Mid Century Modern dresser:
Wow! I love the colors! Really love the bold design too! I’m so jealous of how you are able to come up with a design and make it look so beautiful, then stage it perfectly on top of that! Keep inspiring us, Larissa!
I had to go bold with such a boring dresser…haha! Thank you so much, Kim.
Beautiful!
Thank you, Heather!
I really like this piece, Larissa! Unique and stylish. Very creative. Thank you!!!
I couldn’t resist the urge to do something fun with it since it was damaged. I’m glad you like it!
Nice rescue, it looks happy now!
Your cat /moth story reminded me of when my kids were little. We arrived at my parents home very late after a ten + hour drive and my almost 3 year old looked up at the moths circling the porch light and said, “I like your Night Butterflies, Nanna.” Such a sweet perspective.
Thanks! And your story is so precious. awww…
What a fun makeover! I love the colors, and you’re right, no brushstrokes in sight!
Happy dance over here! 😀
Larissa, your visions are awesome! I so enjoy your blog.
I’m so glad to hear it! Thank you.
I would paint some chairs!
Cool. 🙂
Wasn’t sure I’d like Ikat, but I love the look on the dresser. And, I gave had a single dresser in various sheds for 25 years. It’s time to get at it!!!!
You sound like a gal after my own heart. Yay!
I would have one of my kids use these brushes to paint a stool that is in need of a redo.
I love the colors on the dresser! It is such a unique piece and you gave it life again!
Thank you!
Wishing your and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Same to you, Sandra.
I love the colors. I love stenciling too and it adds so much. Amazing work as always.
Had to do some fun with this one. Yay!
So beautiful! I have a buffet in Dire need of paint!
Thanks! You will love these brushes for that. 😀
I’m not a pink….er…Apricot… lover, but this combo is WOW! Love it, Larissa!! I’d love to try these brushes because I’m getting arthritis in my hands and they sound easier to hold. I’d probably start on a table that is half painted. Need to finish it so I can use it ! thank you !
Woot, woot!! It is a bold, but soft statement. I hope you win, Patty. 😀
With my new paint brushes I’m gonna paint a small mahogany nightstand or side table with drawers. It’s in dire need of a new look since it’s pretty scared by the previous owner. The dresser in this article is unusual and for me, pink and blue just don’t do it. I do love the stencil update for the front and have a used a raised stencil technique on a set of kitchen cabinets. They turned out great!
This color combo is awesome!
Fantastic! I’m glad you think so.
I really love how you turn a piece someone was willing to throw out into a charming treasure.
I have an old vanity someone gave me, I’d like to try to restore it like you do.
It’s such a fun challenge to me. Thanks!!
This is beautiful!!!!
You’ve made my day!! Yay!!
I love how you take something drab and make it gorgeous!!
It truly is why I so love what I do. Thank you!!
I would love to win these brushes . If it makes my projects look as well as yours look i’m all in ! I’m such a fan of all of your work – keep on keeping on
You’re too cute, Janet! Thank you for those kind words.
Pick me….. most unusual colors together
Very sweet.
Thank you. 🙂
Larissa this beauty has left me breathless. I was expecting it to come out great but not this great!! Wow, the color choices are spot on!!
Mary, you sure know how to make my day and then some. Thank you!!
What a gorgeous dresser Larissa! The colors and IKAT stencil you choose really made this lady shine!!
Thanks! We’ve had dreary days here and I needed some color. Woot!
Lovely, as always! It’s a feast for the eyes.
I love those words. Thank you!
Oh my goodness, what beautiful colors and the stencil is awesome! Gorgeous!
You make me blush! aww…thank you, Janet.
Such a unique piece, love it! Wishing you and your family a very blessed thanksgiving!
Thank! And right back to you.
Love what you have done with this!
Thank you!
For myself I’d paint the unmatched table and hutch I’m planning to use together for a work surface in the sewimg/ craft room I’m working on creating on a very slim budget. For my church bazaar I’d paint a rocking chair that was donated to be upcycled.
Another amazing transformation! I didn’t think I was going to like the stencil but I love it! Great job!
Glad to hear it! Thank you.
Outstanding use of color and design. Really love that!
Thank you, Wendy.
These brushes are the best ever. The finish is unsurpassed. As an artist I have a box full of brushes but the zibra ones are my favorites, using the flat sash right now. I am wearing them out.
I totally agree with you, as an artist, I know a good brush when I see one and have tried dozens for my furniture. Zibra brushes surpass them all.
This is so much fun! I’ll be on the lookout for a piece I can do this too 🙂
Sounds like a plan! 😀
You can really perform magic with a stencil and brushes!
You are so sweet to me, Dale. Thank you!
WOW – what an amazing transformation! I love it!! 😀 We’re planning a project soon of laundry basket shelving based on a photo I saw online – basically a set of shelving that has three large laundry baskets arranged vertically, and each one is able to be slid in/out individually. The Zibra brushes would be great for this!!
That sounds like a dream laundry sorter – fun!
Beautiful! Looks like it came straight out of an interior design magazine!
Aww… you just made my day. Thank you!
Hi Larissa,
I love this piece! I want to recreate what you did someday when i find a sad and lonely piece. Thank you for this. I just purchased my brushes from you and I cant wait to try them.
How fun to hear. Thank you so much, Cheryl. 😀