project sb update: contact paper is your friend

project sb update: contact paper is your friend

Let me just say first, I love IKEA. I do. I really do. More often than not, they have the solution I’ve been looking for and at the right price. However, sometimes their finishes aren’t always ideal. However, the great thing about IKEA is that you can usually “hack” them for a more custom transformation. So, thanks to some fabulous inexpensive walnut woodgrain contact paper, that’s exactly what I did.

Project #1: ye ol’ classic ENETRI shelving unit. Do any of you have/remember this?

I loved it when it came out and it was such a versatile piece. Anyway- I actually bought two (in the light “oak?” wood veneer) and used them in a former office location. Since then, I’ve moved offices and they have been collecting dust in the garage. I really needed shelving so I figured, why not re-use them and give them a happy new home.

But for the look I’m going for here, the wood finish I got would work, but it needed to go a bit darker. Also, the metal frame would best be suited in black (as opposed to that cheapie looking wanna-be-chrome-but-is-not-so-it-just-looks-that-weird-IKEA-silver). So… out came the spray paint bandits and after a little contact paper madness- voila! Instant mid century modern inspired makeover!

Here’s how it looks with lots of pretty tchochkes on it:

So since I was already in contact paper mania, I decided to give another IKEA piece a little faux walnut sexy-ness: behold the MICKE.

I love the minimal drawers and the gloss white top. I bought it in the “birch effect” (love that description! lol)

Anyway- contact paper madness again ensued on those drawers and bam!…

I feel like the walnut finish just gives it such a different look. Subtle, but so much better no? Also the walnut color matches the vintage chair I have and looks quite nice with the painting. Subtle changes make all the difference right? Now I’m looking around to see what else I can contact paper!… my furniture be warned…