DIY Draper Chests

We took the water taxi to IKEA on Saturday. The boat was fun, but we didn't have the best time at IKEA. That place is such a madhouse on the weekends! I left the store telling myself that I didn't want to go back there for a very long time. Then. I got home and saw an email in my inbox from Nancy. She was sharing a little link to her great blog and a new project. And just like that, I love IKEA again.


The Rast is a little $39 dresser that was absolutely MADE to be hacked and upgraded.


We all remember this great project, but did you ever imagine that the Rast would make such a lovely Draper chest?


Read all about Nancy's genius project here. It's probably one of my very favorite DIYs.

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46 comments:

  1. Heather AnneFebruary 21, 2011 at 5:39 AM

    That's incredible! What a great deal! IKEA is seriously the best. Thank goodness for those sweet Swedes.

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  2. Things That InspireFebruary 21, 2011 at 5:55 AM

    Wow - that's beautiful!

    I went to IKEA this weekend too...I am about to put my current house on the market, and my realtor told me that I needed to get some decent hangers for the coat closet. IKEA has great wood hangers - 8 for 3.99. Anyway, it was a madhouse, but this time I figured out how to navigate - the last time I went I couldn't even figure out how to get to the shopping level.

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  3. meenal @ maison marigoldFebruary 21, 2011 at 6:10 AM

    OMG...what an amazing transformation...genius!!Agreed...Rast lends itself very well to transformation as it has the most basic details...but into the incredibly gorgeous Draper chest??...I never would have guessed...Great job Nancy...and Thankyou Jenny for sharing!!

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  4. Katy BFebruary 21, 2011 at 6:38 AM

    I was thinking about getting some Rasts and converting them to Campaign chests with some L brackets from the hardware store, and a little wipe on gold finish.
    I am throwing that idea out the door and going for the Dorothy Draper look.
    I hate to copy, but I have to on this one. Awesome idea!

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  5. alison giese InteriorsFebruary 21, 2011 at 6:59 AM

    I totally do the Snoopy dance when I see people coming up with BRILLIANT ideas like this! Great DIY, but doesn't look it - at least not in photos. Kudos, kudos!

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  6. noelle reginaFebruary 21, 2011 at 7:52 AM

    i have to try this one. there are few things i love more than a transformation like this! my goodness. is there anyway to have that design be 3-dimenstional?

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  7. Katy BFebruary 21, 2011 at 7:56 AM

    I have a question for you....and yes I already posted a comment.
    I am currently redecorating my living room and dining room. I decided to go with a 70's British bachelor pad inspired look. Sort of a well traveled look with some Kuba cloths and other ethnic textiles for art. Lots of navy and gray.
    Then I looked at the Draper project and realized I am still in love with Hollywood Regency. I am not too far into things to make the switch. It's just that things like x-benches, Chaing Mai (love and have been holding onto a piece fo awhile now), chevron, painted furniture, and so on...seem so done now.
    Are we too exposed to design. I love my blogs, especially yours (very honest unabashed flattery), but are we over-exposing ourselves (Keep Calm Carry On)? This is something I have been wondering about for awhile now. It seems like once I finally get to taking on a project (making Ikat drapes now), it starts to seem cliche.
    Do you think we are moving too fast with interiors, or do you think we are moving in the right direction where anything goes. Sort of like fashion, you can still wear your skinny jeans or flares. When you start a new project do you agonize over doing something new, or do you just go with what you love at the time even if the idea has been seen.

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  8. gypsy soul interiorsFebruary 21, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    Wow! I am actually responding to the last responders message. I have been struggling with this same thing. I feel like all the excitement that used to be there over certain finds (ie x benches) is gone because it's too cliche now. I also recently purged my home of garden stools
    For the same reason. This is an interesting discussion to have though and loved your post. There are a lit of poohs and aaaahs with regency transformations, but I can't decide if it is fresh design or starting to be "baby blue and chocolate". By that, I mean that once it hit the masses, it was over. I'd love to get other feedback too. This does not take away from the fact that I think this transformation is freakin awesome!

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  9. Laurie from Laurie Jones HomeFebruary 21, 2011 at 8:54 AM

    I have to agree with 100% of what you said, from time to time I too go to Ikea on the weekend and wonder to myself am I the only one who realizes I'm not the only person in the store and that I can't stand in the middle of the aisle as if no one is there! Oh and you're right this is seriously the best Ikea makeovers everrrr!!!

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  10. Danielle Sigwalt InteriorsFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    OH man! I have had that idea for like ever and just never got around to doing it! Just brilliant and I am sure mine wouldn't have been so perfect!

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  11. Shera OFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    I think a trip to Ikea is in order. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. ElizabethFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    WOW - Inspiring!! Now I need to find a spot for one or two in my house!

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  13. HanaFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:42 AM

    wow, if the rast can look this beautiful, it can do anything!

    i'm eager to see where the commenters discussion goes, as i think about the same thing all the time. we are exposed to a lot through blogs & online mags but it's more about what we do with the influx of information. hmm.. xo

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  14. JenFebruary 21, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    That is amazing. I love projects like this!

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  15. Arianna BelleFebruary 21, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    WOWza is all I gotta say!

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  16. Proper HuntFebruary 21, 2011 at 10:13 AM

    OMG! I'm definitely going to be trying that DIY project out asap! Thanks for sharing this!~

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  17. Naomi@DesignManifestFebruary 21, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    So cute! I bought two rasts and did them up similar to Aubrey & Lindsay's project. I still love them, but now I want another set!!

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  18. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    I think they are great. I tried the prior hack and it didn't work out as I planned.. One thing that is making me crazy is... WHAT HAPPENED TO HER COLETTE BED?????? AGH. Oh, and I also STAY AWAY from Ikea on weekends.

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  19. Jenny at LGNFebruary 21, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    Katy and others, I have been planning a post about *just* the thing you're talking about here! I'm going to bump the post to the top of the list now and will put it up tomorrow! I think this is such an exciting discussion and can't wait!
    xx

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  20. Jenny at LGNFebruary 21, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    Kdnana - This DIY is from a different blogger. I'm sure Aubrey and Lindsey still have their lovely Collette bed!

    xx

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  21. Jordan@the2seasonsFebruary 21, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    What a great project I love the end result. I have learned to only do IKEA during the week.

    http://www.the2seasons.com

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  22. UnknownFebruary 21, 2011 at 11:09 AM

    that is a great ikea rast hack.

    i am just putting the top coat on some ikea rast dressers as well for bedside tables, they really are the cheapest things to makeover, and look pretty nice when painted!

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  23. MandyFebruary 21, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    That is one seriously awesome DIY project!! Thanks for sharing. I see this in my near future :)

    xoxo
    Mandy

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  24. Barbara MatsonFebruary 21, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    I am so proud of Nancy as I have been over to her house when she started her hack the same time I did mine! http://hodgepodge-babselou.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-to-make-silver-leaf-dresser-ikea.html

    She was agonizing over the spray painting with high gloss and then stencilling. Then she had to wait for the pulls to come in as they were on back order. She has patiently and painstakingly made her Rast dresser look amazing!

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  25. HeidiFebruary 21, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    Oh my goodness! I think it's the best IKEA hack I've ever seen! I only wish I'd thought of it myself!

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  26. Tonia Lee SmithFebruary 21, 2011 at 11:47 AM

    I don't like going to IKEA either, but this makes me love it too. Let's just sat it's a love/hate relationship. Love when I see DIYs like this.

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  27. DebbiedoosFebruary 21, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    OK this I could and would love to do. Fantastic idea. Thanks for joining the newbie party. Please add my link and I hope you became a new friend of mine as well. XO

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  28. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2011 at 1:15 PM

    ikea always gives me a sore throat-
    but i do love their totes-
    used the zippered one instead of luggage this past week -
    very easy and lightweight-
    tho the blue and yellow would suit me better if it was black -
    lol

    john in nc

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  29. Marcus DesignFebruary 21, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    Thank you Jenny for posting my project, I so appreciate it! And thanks all for your kind words, it makes the tedious steps of this project seem worth it!

    I am excited to read more on this interesting discussion that started here. I do agree that we are often 'over-exposed', but I decided a while ago not to care and to choose things that I truly love to be surrounded by! Good example, my imperial trellis pillows. I LOVE them even though it is over done. My friends and house guests don't even know who Kelly Wearstler is, let alone imperial trellis! :)
    Nancy xo

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  30. RiniFebruary 21, 2011 at 3:20 PM

    Who would have thought that the plain IKEA drawer would go so....va-va-voom? GREAT job and great idea! Inspiring!
    I've added you to my blog roll ;)

    http://styleidoscope.blogspot.com/

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  31. lisaroyFebruary 21, 2011 at 3:38 PM

    I know what you mean about IKEA on weekends - I try to avoid it at all costs! But you can't beat what they offer and this transformation is brilliant! awesome job! :)

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  32. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2011 at 3:43 PM

    I just did the same exact sort of thing last weekend and was ALL over the internet looking to see if anyone else had done it to get ideas.
    I didn't do the Ikea tables though, I didn't it to my seven drawer desk (one of these: http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS_hYODvxYV90Wzr-nHcMOD6pFLwAFKD0V22gPFPNHKHVQMKRjymg). I think it turned out fantastic!

    -Laura

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  33. Pam @ bibbidi-bobbidi-beautifulFebruary 21, 2011 at 4:30 PM

    Wow, that is absolutely incredible!!

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  34. { a m b e r }February 21, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    Amazing! She did such a good job!

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  35. Aubrey {All Things Bright and Beautiful}February 21, 2011 at 4:52 PM

    Absolutely genius and incredible! That turned out amazing! I have to admit, I'm not a lover of Ikea...but this just might change my mind as well!

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  36. Brilliant ChicFebruary 21, 2011 at 5:39 PM

    WOW! I have been looking for some Draper style chests for our bedroom. This looks pretty easy...might have to give this a try!

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  37. InCircle InteriorsFebruary 21, 2011 at 6:21 PM

    okay well that is just awesome. and startlingly similar to the dresser i just posted today on my blog that i just finished! http://www.incircleinteriors.com/2011/02/finished-nursery-dresser-and-tutorial.html

    can't wait to see how she did hers! thanks for sharing! (also can't wait to see your geometric dressers!)

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  38. jaclyn @ thelateafternoonFebruary 21, 2011 at 7:36 PM

    Who knew that a simple iKea dresser could be transformed into something so pretty? I love the way this looks!

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  39. The Vintique ObjectFebruary 21, 2011 at 8:11 PM

    Such talent...they are GORGEOUS!

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  40. Lisa @ Lisa MovesFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:43 PM

    I was just at the Paramus Ikea this afternoon for some Ribba shelves and a giant map. I love the Paramus one best--plenty of parking, only 10 minutes from the GWB, and I can spend hours in the picture frame section.

    I have the Aubrey +Lindsay Rast makeover bookmarked for my next house, and I'm adding this one to my folder (my room is too small to do it now. But someday...)

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  41. JoiFebruary 21, 2011 at 9:57 PM

    holy cow~ Love this! Thanks for sharing, Jenny!

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  42. MaryFebruary 23, 2011 at 8:14 AM

    If we all were discouraged by being too "cliched", no new creativity would come about. If you are a very creative person, you will try something new continually - and probably get tired of trends just as quickly - moving to the next idea. Kudos for putting such great ideas for the rest of us out there!

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  43. SamanthaFebruary 23, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    Awesome hack.

    FYI, the Red Hook IKEA is a ghost town on weekdays.

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  44. LindsayFebruary 27, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  45. LindsayFebruary 27, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    (Deleted previous comment due to a typo!)

    Kdnana - We still have our Colette Bed. We looove our side tables so I'm so bummed yours didn't turn out.

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  46. EdnaMarch 21, 2011 at 4:31 AM

    I pity those without an Ikea nearby! Seriously, I didn't realize how much I missed it til I moved back to Houston after 12 years away. After seeing this, it seems a trip to Ikea is in order. Love your blog!

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I so appreciate hearing from you. Nice comments make my day! Thanks for keeping things light here, friends! :)