Materials: Edland dresser, silver (aluminum) leaf, gilding size, varnish, wooden knobs, paint
Description: I've needed a new dresser for a long time, and a mirrored one at that. Since I didn't want to buy one, I decided to make my own variation, inspired by this.
So I got my Ikea Edland dresser, and after carefully applying the Gilding Size (the adhesive that goes on milky but turns clear in about 1/2 hour, when it's ready for the leaf), I applied the silver leaf. It took a looong time (I figure I spent a good 40 hours on this project). After the leaf was applied, I used clear varnish (acrylic gloss medium works as well, as I found out when I ran out of varnish). For the heavy use area, I used 4 coats.
I originally intended on buying sparkly glass knobs, but decided to be more eclectic and bought wooded knobs from Home Depot. I painted them aqua, then applied just a bit of the leaf.
~ Morgan S, Cincinnati
Wow, that's pretty awesome! Do you mind telling us the total cost there abouts for the whole project?
ReplyDeletevery good Work ^^
ReplyDeleteThanks - I agree w anonymous - can you provide a supply/cost list (and online sources if you used 'em or what stores?) I love this!!
ReplyDeleteThinking i'd like to leaf my helmet for roller derby. YES.
Morgan was inspired by what was done by Jenny of Little Green Notebook. The instructions there are pretty clear. Hop over and take a look.
ReplyDeleteWow! I am also a Cincinnati girl and just LOVE this project. Am moving to OtR soon and have been considering adding some silver furniture to my collection, as the apt is fairly industrial looking. What a great idea! Also interested in the cost of materials.
ReplyDeleteWow! Amazing hack! You'd never guess it was that particular dresser. I've been looking at mirrored chests for awhile - this may be a much less expensive solution.
ReplyDeleteThe main cost was the dresser, since it was $200...I used 6 packets of the leaf, at 25 sheets/pack. I bought them from United Art and Education, which is a really fantastic store with slightly lower prices. Each pack was $6.95. The size came in a really little bottle (2 fl oz) but I only needed one for the whole project. That was only $2.95. For the varnish, I already had all that stuff, so not sure on pricing there. The knobs from Home Depot were only $.99 each.
ReplyDeleteHi Morgan!
DeleteThe results of your Ikea Hack that you did a while ago came out great! I have been searching for dressers in the Edland Series for my mom! She loves them and they no longer have them at Ikea! Do you by chance still have the original knobs from the dresser? I live in Michigan. If you could let me know that'd be great!
JeanineGlennPhotography@gmail.com
Thanks so much!
Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your presentation and I appreciate that!
ReplyDeleteKeep up your good work. I will come here regularly for news.
Lovely
ReplyDeleteThis looks amazing Morgan. I think this might be my first big hack. Question, looking at the Little Green Notebook, their version turned out smooth and more mirror like. I like yours with the more crackly effect and the black showing through underneath.
ReplyDeleteHow can I get the same cracked antique effect? Was that from the the clear varnish or they way you brushed the leaf on?
It was the way I brushed the leaf on. Just use smaller pieces not the full squares that come in the pack. It's actually a lot easier
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this. I'm thinking of doing a a pair of bedside tables!
ReplyDeleteThe long hours & hard work paid off, it looks fantastic & I'm definitely tempted to do something similar myself!
ReplyDeleteWOW! What did you do with the white knobs? I like them so much. Do you still have them?
ReplyDeleteThe job you did is amazing!
Lavinia from Vienna
Amazingly done ~you are so creative ~angel hands ~~~lovely ~~
ReplyDeletethis is amazing balls!! tell me did you do this project outside??? I live in an apartment and will not have the out door access so i just wonder :)
ReplyDelete