Upcycling how-to: an AMAZING chest of drawers transformation

Sponsored by Feast Watson

This makeover by Kristine Franklin from The Painted Hive knocked our socks off. Here’s how she did it…

Products:

• Feast Watson Prooftint in Teak
• Feast Watson Prooftint Colour Reducer
• Feast Watson Scandinavian Oil
• Dulux Paint: Wash & Wear Flat in Black
• Dulux Paint: Prep Lock Primer
• Dulux Paint: Aquanamel Semi Gloss in Pastel Mint

Planning:

Choose something quite basic and generic so you can completely transform it. Finding the potential in those sometimes overlooked secondhand pieces of furniture is rewarding and cost-effective.

Preparation:

1. Carefully measure then cut sheets of ply into pieces of cladding
2. Cut the feet from a length of square pine
3. Sand the timber for a smooth finish
4. Sand the drawer fronts and bedside table sides in preparation for painting
5. Remove all dust.

1. Stain the timber. Use two coats of Feast Watson Prooftint in Teak combined 50/50 with Feast Watson Prooftint Colour Reducer.
2. Apply one coat of Feast Watson Scandinavian Oil to seal all of the edges prior to attaching to the bedside tables.
3. Paint the drawer fronts with one coat of Dulux Wash & Wear Flat in Black.
4. Paint the bedside table sides with one coat of Dulux Prep Lock Primer followed by two coats of Dulux Aquanamel Semi Gloss in Pastel Mint.
5. Attach the cladding using a combination of wood glue and screws.
6. Complete oiling the cladding using four-five coats of Feast Watson Scandinavian Oil.
7. Attach the handles and label holders.
8. Line the drawers with unique patterned paper. You can use pages from an old street directory to go with the map drawer theme.

“Have a vision in mind but also be open to change,” says Kristine. “Try to see any problems that may arise during the transformative process as possibilities to be creative.”

NB: Always test colours and stains on an off-cut or inconspicuous area of your piece prior to coating the whole to ensure you’re happy with the colour.