Helene took one of IKEA’s most recognisable pieces, the classic ALEX drawer unit, and transformed it into a deeply personal keepsake using nautical charts passed down from her father. And the result is stunning.
“The charts are from an area up north in Sweden where I grew up, Hälsingland, and the archipelago where I spent a lot of my summers,” she explains.
That connection to place and memory is exactly what makes this project so much more than a simple furniture makeover. Every time she opens a drawer, she’s back on those northern waters.
The best part? The process is surprisingly straightforward. Here’s how she did it.
What You’ll Need
- An ALEX drawer unit (or any flat-fronted furniture)
- Old maps, charts, or decorative paper
- Wallpaper glue
- Matte deco lacquer or varnish
- A wallpaper knife
- Sandpaper (grade 80)
The Steps
Start by giving your drawer unit a good clean, then begin gluing your chosen charts directly onto the surface. Helene recommends wallpaper glue here because “the charts are rather thick,” and you need something with real staying power.
Once the glue has fully dried, take a wallpaper knife and carefully cut along the lines between each drawer.
Next comes sealing. “Go over it at least twice, so you get a hard surface,” Helene advises. A matte deco lacquer works beautifully and keeps the vintage feel of the paper intact without making it look plasticky.
After the lacquer dries, trim any rough edges around the drawers and smooth everything down with your sandpaper. Then finish with one final coat of lacquer to seal any areas where the paper has been disturbed by sanding.
The finished piece is part furniture, part heirloom. It’s a brilliant reminder that sometimes the most meaningful makeovers aren’t about buying something new but about finding a way to hold onto something old.
See more of Helene’s Alex cabinet with map decoupage on her blog.
~ Helene Langborg, Sweden