I have been stretching my DIY muscles and I have been working with power tools! And it was much more fun than I expected. So I did a little tutorial on what I did, come check it out.
I gave an old Ikea cupboard a total makeover. The cupboard is at least 10 years old and really not very exciting. It used to look like many boring but functional cupboards look.
Ik ben weer lekker bezig geweest. Ik heb een oud en saai Ikea kastje een totale makeover gegeven. Ik heb alle stapjes gefotografeerd zodat jullie precies kunnen volgen wat ik gedaan heb. Omdat daardoor dit berichtje al erg lang is geworden heb ik niet alles vertaald. Sorry dames, maar ik denk dat de foto’s redelijk voor zich spreken. Als iets niet duidelijk is of wanneer je meer wil weten kun je me altijd mailen, dan sta ik jullie met plezier ten dienste.
See! It is a useful, sturdy cupboard that happens to be exactly the right size to be the bottom to a library cupboard. But it was so ugly, and one of the first things you would see when you came into my craft room. It is solid mdf with this plasticky finish that used to be white, but had turned into this pale yellow.
I am not the kind of person to throw away a perfectly fine piece of furniture, but I didn’t want it looking like this.
And then inspiration hit me. It came in the form of this book.
Home-made vintage by Christina Strutt. Christina has written several books on country, and vintage living, but this particular one contains mainly easy sewing projects. I was hooked the minute I say it at Bookdepository.com (do you know this online book shop? They have the same collection as Amazon but free shipping! I said free world wide shipping! Crazy addictive this bookstore I tell you). I mean come on, vintage, sewing and easy all in one book, how could I not buy it. And I was not disappointed.
Het idee voor dit project had ik gevonden in het boek Home-made Vintage van Christina Strutt. Een tijdje geleden had ik dit boek bij de Bookdepository gekocht. Dat is trouwens een geweldige boekwinkel met wereldwijde gratis verzending. Echt een aanrader!
You will see me do more projects from this book, but right now this is the picture that got me going.
When I saw it, the wheels in my head started turning. What if I could make this cupboard look a bit more country? What if I could add some color? Could I make it look a bit like this picture?
And so the project began. I’ll show you exactly what I have done, because it was actually quite easy and this kind of makeover lends itself to many cupboards. So I guess you might call this my first tutorial.
Because this cupboard had long doors I first had to figure out how big my windows in the doors should be. So I drew the doors in scale on paper and fiddled with the design until I thought it looked ok. If your cupboard has paneled doors this would be much easier, then you would just remove the panels.
If you start sawing a window into something you have to be able to get the saw blade in there. So after I had drawn the lines on the door I drilled a whole in all four corners (power tool number one). Make sure the whole is big enough for your saw blade to fit through. Because the finish on my cupboard was very slippery I punched a small hole first so that my drill wouldn’t slip.
As you can see I constructed a sort of workmate table for myself . I set up two tables a little apart and then used clamps to make sure the door wouldn’t move. Don’t you think the Christmas lights add a nice touch?
And then came power tool number two, the saw. I was actually quite scared about that part, but it was much easier then I had feared.
I sawed until the panel fell on the floor and it looked like this.
And then the fun part started. Fixing it up again.
I got myself some nice decorative moulding to finish that edge. Because the saw cut was pretty raw I searched for moulding that had a bit of a ‘hangover’ so that the saw cut would be hidden.
Figuring out how long the pieces of the window frame should be was actually the hardest part. It involved math! But with the help of my love I was able to figure it out. He also helped me saw the mitered corners. We attached the frame with some strong wood glue and a couple of small nails.
After that it was smooth sailing all the way.
Paint the whole thing. Because of the finish on the doors I used a ‘sticks to everything primer’ and I choose white as my color (of course).
Then I used a staple gun to attach chicken wire behind the frame. The finish on this doors was so hard that our staple gun couldn’t get any staples in, so I had to staple my chicken wire to the inside saw cut. But if your doors would be regular wooden ones, you could just staple it to the back.
Here in this detail you can just make out how I (badly) stapled the wire to the sides. But you can also see how the overhang of the frame nicely covers it up.
Next get out the sewing machine (and yes ladies that is a power tool too!) and sew a panel that is big enough to cover the hole and the edge of the chicken wire. Easy peasy you only have to turn the edges in and stitch in a straight line.
I attached the panels with sticky Velcro.
And finally get yourself some nice knobs. They really finish it of!
And then stand back and admire your work!
Now wasn’t that a fun and fairly easy project!? Believe me ladies if I can do it, so can you!
So did you like my first tutorial? Was it clear? Too long? Useful? Are you going to chicken wire your cupboards?
En wat vinden jullie? Geslaagd project? Geslaagde tutorial? Ik zou het fijn vinden als jullie me jullie mening laten weten, alle feedback is welkom!
Let me know what you think, I would love to get your feedback.
I think you might like this too
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LiLi M. says
August 20, 2009 at 12:07 amNu, zoveel smeekbeden om commentaar kan ik maar lastig weerstaan :-D! Zeker als je zo'n mooi project hebt gemaakt. Ik vind het echt leuk geworden. Geweldig resultaat als je voor de eerste keer met het grote jongens gereedschap mag werken, petje af! Je uitleg is heel duidelijk. Niet te lang en niet te kort. Wat wilde je nog meer weten? MIjn pincode is ****, dat zie ik tenminste staan ;-)!
LiLi M. says
August 20, 2009 at 12:07 amNu, zoveel smeekbeden om commentaar kan ik maar lastig weerstaan :-D! Zeker als je zo'n mooi project hebt gemaakt. Ik vind het echt leuk geworden. Geweldig resultaat als je voor de eerste keer met het grote jongens gereedschap mag werken, petje af! Je uitleg is heel duidelijk. Niet te lang en niet te kort. Wat wilde je nog meer weten? MIjn pincode is ****, dat zie ik tenminste staan ;-)!
MiriamR says
August 20, 2009 at 1:05 amIt looks so good now! What a great way to fix up a piece of furniture. The tutorial was perfect!
MiriamR says
August 20, 2009 at 1:05 amIt looks so good now! What a great way to fix up a piece of furniture. The tutorial was perfect!
Heidi says
August 20, 2009 at 3:33 amLooks darling!! I HEART your door pulls!! Never fear, you are still high on the list via the comments @ Kimba's DIY day! Great tutorial too.
Jennifer Juniper says
August 20, 2009 at 3:35 amThe wire! The cute knobs! The framing! I'm swooning and in awe of your DIY – love love love it!
Dawn-Hydrangea Home says
August 20, 2009 at 3:39 amBeautiful job on that cabinet! I love projects like these.
kirstin & jordan says
August 20, 2009 at 3:41 amoh my goodness- this is fantastic! I love the idea of remaking ikea cabinets and making them into these fabulous gems…
and I love it that you used powertools… usually I have my husband do that part. 🙂
Shanty2Chic says
August 20, 2009 at 3:47 amSo crafty! That's a complete transformation! Great job! ~Ashley~ shanty2chic
Laurel @ Ducks in a Row says
August 20, 2009 at 3:47 amIt is amazing what power tools can do – good for you!
Chelsie says
August 20, 2009 at 3:48 amYou are so cute and amazing! I found you because of your interesting comment on Thrifty Decor Chic.
Thank you for sharing! (I LOVE people like YOU that make people like ME feel like maybe I can try decorating 😉
Beth says
August 20, 2009 at 4:09 amWhat a great idea! I'm visiting from Kimba's. (BTW–you were number one even if it wasn't on Mr. Linky right?) I'm new to your blog and love it. Do you typically just bust out in German on each post? Love that too!
Pam @ This Humble House says
August 20, 2009 at 4:47 amVery cute! Makes me want to try that myself!
Freekje says
August 20, 2009 at 5:46 amJeetje Marianne!
Super goed gedaan, écht een vrouwelijk kastje by the way…
lekker feministisch zelluf doen en dan afstylen met roze en porcelein, hihi
Dit soort berichten geven o zo veel inspiratie, dus kom maar op!
Groetjes Freekje
Freekje says
August 20, 2009 at 5:46 amJeetje Marianne!
Super goed gedaan, écht een vrouwelijk kastje by the way…
lekker feministisch zelluf doen en dan afstylen met roze en porcelein, hihi
Dit soort berichten geven o zo veel inspiratie, dus kom maar op!
Groetjes Freekje
Shannon says
August 20, 2009 at 5:56 amIt looks amazing! Great job!
Shannon says
August 20, 2009 at 5:56 amIt looks amazing! Great job!
Gina says
August 20, 2009 at 6:04 amI love this, and it makes me totally want to chicken wire my cupboards! What a great idea! And great job too!
Gina says
August 20, 2009 at 6:04 amI love this, and it makes me totally want to chicken wire my cupboards! What a great idea! And great job too!
Anny says
August 20, 2009 at 7:03 amI am SO impressed – this is ridiculously beautiful 😀
BJ_Mama says
August 20, 2009 at 7:26 amHow LOVELY! I don't use that word much, but it fit here. My favorite part is the knobs you chose…very unique!
Lavender hearts says
August 20, 2009 at 8:07 amwow, you are a makeover queen! 🙂
Bonjade says
August 20, 2009 at 8:19 amNou hij is werkelijk opgepimpt zeg.
Wat een verandering is dit. Ik had zo'n gerimpeld sierlijstje nog nooit gezien. Die zijn echt top. Geeft meteen een wat oude look.
Dusse…..als er nog meer daar opgepimpt wordt…..ik houd me aanbevolen….
Fijne dag
Hannas Sjarmerende-GJENBRUK says
August 20, 2009 at 8:44 amNice and chic. Love Hanna
Princess Of Pink says
August 20, 2009 at 9:25 amG E W E L D I G !!!!!!! Echt waar geweldig gedaan. En wij vrouwen kunnen prima omgaan met die "mannen" powertools toch?????
Wat heb je dat goed gedaan, moet ff kijken of ook ik niet ergens een lelijk kassie heb staan wat opgepimpd moet worden, lol. EN bedankt voor die boekenlink! Weer een addiction erbij, alsof ik al niet genoeg heb, lol.
Bravo!!
Autum says
August 20, 2009 at 12:42 pmWhat an amazing transformation! Great job on both the cabinet and the tutorial. Thanks so much!!
Autum says
August 20, 2009 at 12:42 pmWhat an amazing transformation! Great job on both the cabinet and the tutorial. Thanks so much!!
Becky K. says
August 20, 2009 at 1:27 pmVery awesome! I love the change and the tutorial!
Becky k.
Hospitality Lane
Becky K. says
August 20, 2009 at 1:27 pmVery awesome! I love the change and the tutorial!
Becky k.
Hospitality Lane
Tiffany says
August 20, 2009 at 2:14 pmWow. Pretty incredible transformation! Wonderful job.
jenni says
August 20, 2009 at 2:17 pmBeautiful! Wonderful tutorial, too. Thanks for sharing!
Amy {The Red Chair Blog} says
August 20, 2009 at 2:25 pmWow; I'm so impressed! What a transformation!
Kara says
August 20, 2009 at 2:35 pmWow, I just love this!! Thank you so much for doing a tutorial.
Kara says
August 20, 2009 at 2:35 pmWow, I just love this!! Thank you so much for doing a tutorial.
Marianne says
August 20, 2009 at 2:44 pmJij durft wel, zeg! Maar het eindresultaat is ontzettend leuk.
De uitleg is heel erg duidelijk en niet te lang.
Sarah says
August 20, 2009 at 3:15 pmholy cow… that must have taken quite some time and a LOT of work… but totally worth it. the pay-off is incredible. nice job! 🙂
Sunny says
August 20, 2009 at 3:20 pmYou did such a good job! Looks so cute! Chicken wire is so country/vintage and I love it. Stopping over from ASPTL!
the queen says
August 20, 2009 at 5:29 pmawesome! your tutorial was just perfect. takes the fear out of cutting up some old (but perfectly practical) cupboards
Gina @ The Shabby Chic Cottage says
August 20, 2009 at 6:59 pmGorgeous tutorial! Thanks so much for joining me, and YAY you were #1!
alicia@thrifty and chic motif says
August 20, 2009 at 7:54 pmThat is so super cute! I applaud your DIY muscles 🙂
Anna See says
August 20, 2009 at 8:11 pmWow! This is my fave makeover of the day. Great job and fascinating tutorial.
Anna See says
August 20, 2009 at 8:11 pmWow! This is my fave makeover of the day. Great job and fascinating tutorial.
Kristen, The Pajama Mama says
August 20, 2009 at 8:12 pmno way did you cut into the doors-how brave and vision forward you are!
Kristen, The Pajama Mama says
August 20, 2009 at 8:12 pmno way did you cut into the doors-how brave and vision forward you are!
jeanette says
August 20, 2009 at 8:46 pmjeetje wat een origineel kastje heb jij ervan gemaakt. echt super leuk. wat een ander gezicht is dit zeg. die knopjes en dat opengewerkte met gaas dat doet het hem. creatief bedacht!
jeanette says
August 20, 2009 at 8:46 pmjeetje wat een origineel kastje heb jij ervan gemaakt. echt super leuk. wat een ander gezicht is dit zeg. die knopjes en dat opengewerkte met gaas dat doet het hem. creatief bedacht!
anythinggoeshere says
August 20, 2009 at 8:47 pmI am impressed ~ power tools. And it really turned out great! Good joy and congratulations.
anythinggoeshere says
August 20, 2009 at 8:47 pmI am impressed ~ power tools. And it really turned out great! Good joy and congratulations.
gail@myrepurposedlife says
August 21, 2009 at 3:36 amoh my! I love this! You did an awesome job!
I particularly love the knobs. I'm going to have to file this one away in my ole' brain, for sure!
Sh@ron says
August 21, 2009 at 3:45 amThis is a great makeover project and the instructions are easy to understand. Love the cute door pulls.
Thanks for Sharing
Sharon
Irene ~ RE~VINTAGED says
August 21, 2009 at 7:37 amLooove your cupboard now, much nicer. Good job!!
Irene x
Carol says
August 21, 2009 at 9:27 amWow! I'm totally impressed!!! Great work!!!
I just found your blog and will have to explore it a bit more in the coming days,
Sending you best wishes from Boxwood Cottage in Germany
Carola
mparry says
August 21, 2009 at 2:29 pmGreat job! Tutorial was easy to read with just enough details and pics.
Thanks, Marnita
Kimba says
August 21, 2009 at 4:21 pmWow! What a transformation!? Have you submitted this to the Ikea Hack website (http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/)? I'll bet they would love it!
Kimba
FrenchGardenHouse says
August 21, 2009 at 7:47 pmHow great, I LOVE that!! I have a few cabinets I would love to do that with. thanks so much for sharing this with us.
xo Lidy
vosges paris says
August 21, 2009 at 9:55 pmzooo dat heb je mooi gedaan! leuk zo'n recycle project. Dankeje wel voor de link trouwens , die ga ik echt eens goed bekijken.
Arvind Devalia says
August 22, 2009 at 12:16 amGreat stuff Marianne!
Maybe IKEA will copy you and start offerig your design:-)
Good luck with the blogging!
Love and best wishes
Arvind Devalia
Heidi says
August 23, 2009 at 2:54 amI am so impressed! That was a great tutorial! It turned out adorable! I am going to start hunting for a cabinet to transform!
:)Heidi
Jeannette says
August 23, 2009 at 7:06 pmIk heb net je blog ontdekt en val met mijn neus in de boter. Wat een geweldige verandering! En chapeau…ik zou er niet opgekomen zijn en al helemaaaal niet kunnen. Maar met zo´n tutorial word ik al wat moediger. Prachtige lijst trouwens.
Ik ga meteen even de rest van je blog lezen..ik ben reuze nieuwsgierig nu ik deze post gezien heb. 😉
♥ Jeannette
Anonymous says
October 13, 2009 at 3:38 pmSo smart and creative!! Fantastic job! I like it better than the one in the book….
Rosa
absolutelygirlythings.blogspot.com
fitty's pinky rose cottage says
November 6, 2010 at 3:20 pmjob well done! love the makeover! look so cottagey indeed!
Nicole says
September 8, 2011 at 10:49 amMarianne, I love your work – I just can say WOW and THANK YOU!
Nicole
debbie ierano says
February 6, 2012 at 11:27 pmloved it 🙂 great work :))))