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11 Magnolia Lane

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IKEA Dresser Hack: DIY Gold Greek Key Furniture Overlay

October 30, 2014 By Christy 28 Comments

This Post Contains Affiliate Links

8155 shares
  • 46

DIY Greek Key Overlay on IKEA Dresser | 11 Magnolia Lane
As you guys know, I am a Home Right Brand Ambassador, so every month I get to write about a HomeRight product and offer you guys an awesome giveaway (and yes, there’s a giveaway at the bottom of this post, too!–GIVEAWAY ENDED).

We mixed things up a bit this month, though.  HomeRight decided to run a contest and sent five of us these IKEA Tarva dressers and let us do whatever we wanted with them–as long as we used at least one HomeRight product to create our “after.”  You guys will have a chance to see the other four creations later in this post, and soon we’ll be asking you to vote for your favorite (hint, hint).

The Tarva is plain, unfinished pine, and here’s what it looked like before I got my hands on it:

tarva-before
My daughter needed a new dresser in her room, so I decided not to “hack” the piece too much and just make it the prettiest dresser I could.  I used this gold Greek key monogrammed pillow that I made a few weeks ago as my inspiration:

DIY Gold Greek Key Monogram Iron On for a Pillow | 11 Magnolia Lane

Then I drew up a very high-tech plan for how I was going to create all of those angles:

DIY Greek Key Overlay on IKEA Dresser | 11 Magnolia Lane
{Some of the links we use are affiliate links, so if you purchase items by clicking through these links we will receive a small commission, which helps us to keep our content free. You don’t pay a penny more than you would otherwise, because that would just be tacky!}

I gathered my supplies:  my HomeRight FinishMax Propaint sprayer, my HomeRight FinishMax Propaint sprayer(my favorite), semi-gloss white paint, and HomeRight FinishMax Propaint sprayer(also my favorite).

dresser-supplies
I also picked up two pieces of screen trim (composite white screen molding, 1/4″ x 3/4″ x 8′)  at Home Depot:

screen-trim-bar-code
I used my FinishMax pro to prime the dresser.  I used 2 coats to be sure that I covered over all of those knotholes, and then I sprayed 2 coats of semi-gloss over it.  The smooth finish that you get using a sprayer is absolutely amazing, and with a semi-gloss or a gloss, that makes a big difference in how your finished product looks.

Then I went to town with my miter saw and the screen trim, as I cut the pieces of the Greek key trim.  Since I only had to cut 45° and 90° angles, it wasn’t that bad; and you shouldn’t even have to move miter saw from one 45° angle to the other because you can cut molding right side up and upside down to get the correct line:

DIY Greek Key Overlay on IKEA Dresser | 11 Magnolia Lane
I created the corners first and laid them out to be sure I had the right size and look:

DIY Greek Key Overlay on IKEA Dresser | 11 Magnolia Lane
The last four pieces (the long ones on the top, bottom, and sides) were cut after everything else was in place, which is why you don’t see them here.

The top left corner has the same pieces as the bottom right corner.  The top right corner has the same pieces as the bottom left corner.

DIY Greek Key Overlay on IKEA Dresser | 11 Magnolia Lane

Here’s what you wind up with when you lay it all out:

DIY Greek Key Overlay on IKEA Dresser | 11 Magnolia Lane

And here are all the measurements:

DIY Greek Key Overlay on IKEA Dresser | 11 Magnolia Lane

You’ll have plenty of screen trim left over, so if you mess up a few cuts, you’ll be fine.  Just keep lining up your pieces as you go.

I cut my pieces and then spray painted them gold.  The Rust-oleum covers beautifully in one coat, but I used two just to be sure.  I do recommend that you finish it off with a coat of their HomeRight FinishMax Propaint sprayer to keep the gold fresh and shiny over time.

DIY Greek Key Overlay on IKEA Dresser | 11 Magnolia Lane

Do you see the granola bar next to the epoxy glue in the above photo?  I usually have cold pizza, soda, and the like in my photos–that’s how I work best!

The next step was just to glue the pieces in place.  I used HomeRight FinishMax Propaint sprayer; it holds the pieces in place with enough flexibility to move them into place, but then it locks them in tight so I don’t have to tape them or hold them in place while the glue sets.

Last, I cut the long lengths for the top, bottom and sides.  They were all about 13-1/2″ on the short side.  Obviously I cut the pieces on the left and right so that the drawers could open and shut.  Here’s the finished product:

DIY Greek Key Overlay on IKEA Dresser | 11 Magnolia Lane

Obviously, the drawer pulls aren’t the original wood ones.  I bought these at Hobby Lobby for $3 apiece:

DIY Greek Key Overlay on IKEA Dresser | 11 Magnolia Lane

And here’s the fun part–all of the awesome “after” pictures!  That’s why we do these projects, right?!

DIY Greek Key Overlay on IKEA Dresser | 11 Magnolia Lane

| Gold-striped vase  |  Plates–vintage  |  Frame & Apothecary Jar {HomeGoods}

DIY Greek Key Overlay on IKEA Dresser | 11 Magnolia Lane

|  Chair-vintage  |  Rug-Target  |

DIY Greek Key Overlay on IKEA Dresser | 11 Magnolia Lane

I put a brown and white zebra patterned shelf paper on the outside of the drawers, just to jazz them up a bit (like Amy did in her daughter’s room).   I’ve had it for awhile, but it was from HomeGoods originally.

DIY Greek Key Overlay on IKEA Dresser | 11 Magnolia Lane

DIY Greek Key Overlay on IKEA Dresser | 11 Magnolia Lane

I absolutely love how it turned out, and so does my daughter.  Now, maybe she’ll put her laundry away in those drawers! 🙂

DIY Greek Key Overlay on IKEA Dresser | 11 Magnolia Lane

You can see the rest of my daughter’s room {here}, and her bathroom is {here}.  I’d love to hear what you think–it’s always a work in progress!

 And here are the other awesome projects that my fellow Ambassadors came up with:

Ashley at Simply Designing created a gold honeycomb dresser (I think she spent even more time with her miter saw than I did!):

Merallic-Gold-Honeycomb-Dresser

Katie at Addicted to DIY made this beautiful teal wine rack/bar cabinet–seriously!

Addicted-to-DIY

Gail at My Repurposed Life created this hutch (she is a serial overachiever!):

hutch-ikea-tarva-hack

And last, but not least, Jenna at Rain on a Tin Roof hacked her dresser into this gorgeous emerald green bar cabinet.

ikea-tarva-bar-cabinet-hack-e1413253312129

•••••

Don’t forget to follow along via social media using the black buttons underneath my picture.  Or click {here} to sign up for our email updates–you’ll get an email every time we post something new and we will never spam you or sell your email address.

HomeRight-Ambassador-Button
I am thrilled to be a HomeRight Brand Ambassador, and every month they give me a product to try (and one to give away). While they sponsored this post, all opinions are my own.

Thanks for stopping by!

Christy new headshot

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Filed Under: DIY/Projects/Tutorials, Furniture, HomeRight Projects, PROJECTS Tagged With: dresser, Furniture, gold, greek key, paint, sprayer, tutorial

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Debbie says

    October 30, 2014 at 8:40 pm

    It is beautiful! I love it! I love the same products as you 🙂 that gold is perfect!
    Debbie

    Reply
  2. Courtney H says

    October 31, 2014 at 8:47 am

    I’ve been wanting one of these for a long while…I have a bedside table that I desperately need to paint in a midnight blue. This would make it so easy. The piece of furniture is part of the Bali Hai, faux bamboo look, and there are so many nooks and crannies that this would be so nice to have while painting!!!

    Reply
  3. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    October 31, 2014 at 9:56 am

    Oh my word, this looks amazing. I love the greek key trim. Fabulous tutorial too.

    Reply
  4. Krystine www.KrysitneEdwards.com/blog says

    October 31, 2014 at 11:49 am

    BRAVO! I LOVE LOVE LOVE what you did! Great work!

    Reply
  5. Marg Joyner says

    October 31, 2014 at 4:07 pm

    I would use it spray my kitchen cabinets!

    Reply
  6. Pat says

    October 31, 2014 at 9:31 pm

    LOVE, Love, love it! You are a pro with that miter saw ~ all that measuring & cutting & stuff makes my head hurt. 🙂 I so wish you were my neighbor. I love the same products you’ve used…the Rustoleum Gold is perfect! I have to tell you that the girl that cuts my hair is in a shop with her best friend. They used one of those dressers & painted it in stripes. It’s neat but this one is stunning! Off to vote ~

    xo
    Pat

    Reply
  7. Patricia C says

    October 31, 2014 at 9:38 pm

    If I won I would update some old furniture I have

    Reply
  8. Pat says

    October 31, 2014 at 9:44 pm

    Right now, I have 4 tables and 1 buffet to paint ~ this would be awesome to have! Thanks for the opportunity to win.

    xo
    Pat
    P.S. I’m probably the only person in the Universe that’s not on Instagram. Also, I don’t see my other post. Weird ~

    Reply
  9. Montina says

    October 31, 2014 at 9:56 pm

    I love the dresser. If I won the paint sprayer I would paint the 3 nesting tables, chair and secretary currently sitting in my garage.

    Reply
  10. Samantha says

    November 1, 2014 at 12:53 pm

    Wow what a difference….I love love love that Greek Key style. I have two small Ikea side tables in my room, this looks so difficult but I love the outcome…thank you for the photos showing the steps. I’d love to paint my two side tables a lighter color and then try something like this.

    Reply
  11. D Schmidt says

    November 1, 2014 at 8:04 pm

    The first thing I would paint would be some old cabinets.

    Reply
  12. Maria M says

    November 1, 2014 at 10:16 pm

    If I won, I would use it to paint a dresser.

    Reply
  13. Debbie says

    November 2, 2014 at 9:11 pm

    Love your transformation, thanks for sharing at #inspirationmonday! Pinned and shared!

    Reply
  14. Michelle Fitzgerald says

    November 3, 2014 at 6:04 am

    Love this tutorial. Thanks for the inspiration and seemingly easy to follow directions.

    Reply
  15. Karen Osburn says

    November 3, 2014 at 10:34 pm

    Love the greek key on this ikea dresser. the white and gold are so glam!
    thanks for another great idea and the fab giveaway

    Reply
  16. Karen Osburn says

    November 3, 2014 at 10:39 pm

    If I won the painter I would paint my sons dresser. It belonged to my great aunt and would look great
    painted in a deep gray. keeping my fingers crossed!

    Reply
  17. Helen says

    November 4, 2014 at 5:53 am

    I would paint my great grandpa’s old ugly but awesome chair I keep in my shop.

    Reply
  18. cecilee says

    November 4, 2014 at 7:30 am

    I would paint my daughter’s ugly brown pine dresser!

    Reply
  19. Carol W. says

    November 4, 2014 at 11:37 am

    My first project (but definitely not my last) would to transform an old dresser into a TV console for our living room. The dresser was given to me by my Great Grandmother, it’s a muddy brownish yellow in color, yes an up-cycle is a must. Thank you for the chance to win. Carol W. workmanscraps at gmail dot com

    Reply
  20. Tara says

    November 4, 2014 at 12:06 pm

    It’s gorgeous. I wish I could use a miter saw! So, does the sprayer work with Annie Sloan paint? I am considering getting one to paint my kitchen cabinets.

    Reply
    • Christy says

      November 6, 2014 at 9:02 pm

      It does work with chalk paint. I used chalk paint on a project here: https://www.11magnolialane.com/2013/12/31/our-new-white-bed-and-our-master-bedroom/

      Hope that helps!

      Reply
  21. Dawn C. says

    November 5, 2014 at 1:52 am

    Oh my gosh…what wouldn’t I paint?!?! I have a garage full of furniture just waiting for a new life! =D

    Reply
  22. the cape on the corner says

    November 5, 2014 at 2:26 pm

    fancy! it looks amazing.

    Reply
  23. Kris {Driven by Decor} says

    November 6, 2014 at 1:44 pm

    Love your Greek key design on the chest – such a fabulous makeover! Thanks for sharing it on Best of the Nest!

    Reply
  24. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    November 10, 2014 at 7:00 am

    Saw this over at Debbie’s Inspiration Monday and had to come check it out and pin it! Beautiful job and a great tutorial! Thanks for sharing!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
  25. Christie says

    November 10, 2014 at 9:44 am

    This is so lovely, I’m in love! Definitely pinning!!

    Reply
  26. Angelica says

    August 14, 2017 at 6:57 pm

    hi i used the same spray paint i wanted to know did yours chip in any way? its only been a month since i did mine and it has chipped. also did you seal it with anything?

    Reply
    • Christy says

      August 18, 2017 at 1:25 pm

      Hey, Angelica–

      No, mine hasn’t chipped and it’s been almost three years. Did you do the same project or did you use the paint on something else besides wood? You can use clear sealer if you need it although it will dull the shine of the gold somewhat–I didn’t use it on this project.

      Christy

      Reply

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8155 shares
  • 46