PS to Sideboard

Materials: Ikea PS, Wood, Stones, Saw, Colour

Description: I had this hand made sideboard made by my self out of wood - you usually use in a kitchen, and Ytong-Stones, my GF had this old PS-board from Ikea.

This hack is kind of a joint venture.
I saw off the pins of the PS board and made it fit.

Of course I did some wiring. And painting and I integrated all my little gadgets in there.
I think just a clean and homemade look.

~ Phil von Kretsche, Hamburg, Germany

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Give your Ikea PS Cabinet a Gunmetal finish. Inspired By Restoration Hardware.

Materials: Ikea PS CabinChalkboard paint, silver craft paint in "Gunmetal", Annie Sloan Soft Dark Wax, Mineral Spirits, paint sponge, 2 paint brushe, 220 grit sand paper, rags and "Better Than Cheesecloth" Buffing towels.

Description: Do you have a piece of Ikea furniture that you've kept in storage because it just didn't "fit in" with the style of your home? I'll explain how I took an Ikea PS locker cabinet and gave it a good ol' Ikea hack by painting on an aged steel finish. This was inspired by the Restoration Hardware Vintage Industrial Steel Cabinet.

Sand your piece of furniture with the 220 grit sandpaper till it's no longer shiny, even when you wipe off the dust.

Wipe it down with vinegar. These two steps will prep your furniture for the paint and give your paint something to grab onto.

Lightly dip your brush into the chalkboard paint and dab most of it off onto a paper plate.

"Dry brush" the paint lightly on your surface.

As soon as you finish your first section, wipe off the paint with a dry rag.

The sanded surface will catch most of the chalkboard paint.

Ignore the faux rivets in this picture. I was trying to decide if I liked them.

It looks messy, but it gets better. The good thing about this paint project is that it doesn't have to look perfect.

After you have done this with the entire cabinet, you want to apply the silver craft paint.

Put a couple of tablespoons of the Gunmetal silver craft paint onto a paper plate and add about a half teaspoon of water to thin it out.

Take your paint sponge and dip it into the silver paint and dab most of it off onto your paper plate. This is also a "dry brushing" technique.

Lightly streak this paint onto the surface in one direction. If you get too much on, just wipe it off in one direction.

I let this dry for about 2 hours.

Now it's time for the magic to begin!

Take a scoop of the dark wax and put it on a paper plate. Blend in a small amount of mineral spirits, just enough to thin it out.

Take one of your paint brushes and dip just the tip of the bristles into the wax and dab most of it off onto the paper plate.

Lightly drag the brush in one direction over your surface. This will prevent you from getting too much wax on at one time.

Now, take your clean paint brush and buff in the wax in a circular motion. Don't let your wax dry too long before you get to the buffing step.

Let this dry for 5 minutes.

Take your "Better Than Cheesecloth" Buffing towel (I bought mine at the same store that I bought my Annie Sloan Dark Soft Wax) and start buffing out the wax so the surface has a nice, thin layer.

The dark wax is what really gives the piece a nice patina. It also protects all of your hard work.

I let the first coat of wax dry about 30 minutes before applying the second coat of wax.

For the rivets, you will need upholstery tacks, hot glue, super glue, and 2 pair of pliers.

To see more pictures and picture of each step, then visit this link.

~ Tricia

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Double height IKEA PS cabinet

Materials: Two IKEA PS, metal saw, drill, screwdriver and four metal screws.

Description: Using two cabinets, take one cabinet apart as seen on picture. Doing this will make the rest of the work easier.

Gently knock the side upwards using something soft. The coating/enamel is fragile! Draw a line where you want to place the cut. Use a hand metal saw. I started with a electrical grinder but the hand saw was much better. Make the cut as close to the base as possible. When you bring the side down again it will cover the cut and the more precise you are - the tighter fit.

You can use the plastic ends of the cut of legs if you like a tiny space between the two cabinets.

Make a hole for cables. Could have been done nicer but I used Gaffa tape - I LOVE GAFFA TAPE - can be used for anything and everything...

Put most of the cabinet together but leave the top of. Place on top of the other (not modified) cabinet. Make sure there is a good fit. In each corner there is an already existing hole. Mark the location with a pencil. Drill a hole with metal drill and screw cabinet onto the top of the bottom cabinet.

Put cabinet together and you have a double height cabinet. Can be done with red/white and i geuss you can stack them higher than i did...

The hidden compartment between the two cabinets will work perfectly to hide electrical cables in.

~ Calle Winskog, Sweden in Australia

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