DIY Ikea Tarva Dresser Makeover

Have you ever had a time when your DIY project didn’t turn out the way you expected? Yeah, me too. Most recently with this DIY IKEA Tarva dresser makeover. This dresser has had 3 DIY makeovers…but here’s hoping third time is the charm.

First DIY Makeover

When I first got this dresser from my daughter it looked like this.

It was painted a bright coral orange and new knobs were added. When she said she wanted to get rid of it I said I’ll take it! I thought it would be a great DIY project for me…an inexpensive dresser for my empty guest room.

Second DIY Makeover

Thus began the 2nd makeover of this little dresser. My vision was a white dresser with aqua or teal drawers and maybe some fancy knobs. I primed every inch of that dresser with 2 coats of primer. Didn’t want any of that orange showing through.

My paint choices were Rust-oleum Chalk Paint in Linen White for the dresser top and sides. And Sherwin Williams Watery – a nice soft aqua- for the drawers fronts.

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I really wanted some fancy drawer knobs. However buying 12 knobs was NOT in the budget at the time. So I used some bronze knobs leftover from the builder. Not my first choice. But use what you have right? No cost. Can’t beat that.

These color choices helped me decide on a color scheme for the guest bedroom. White and aqua. Soothing, calming tones. The colors worked well with the bedroom walls painted in Sherwin Williams Anew Gray.

And I loved my new dresser!! So pretty.

Fast forward almost a year and my pretty dresser didn’t look so pretty anymore. Yep, I had to repaint this baby AGAIN. Why? Because of this…grrr.

IKEA’s furniture is made of pine. And pine knots and tannin often bleed through!! Yuck. So even though I primed this dresser with 2 coats of primer (and covered every inch of that orange) and 2 coats of the chalk paint this still happened. UGH!!!

Just as I am finishing the decorating of the guest room. With a coastal vibe. In white and aqua tones.

Third DIY Makeover

Yep, cue makeover DIY IKEA Tarva makeover number 3. I still wanted the same colors. Just without all the knots showing through.

So I researched online to see how I could fix this. I found a solution (fingers crossed) that hopefully will work. It’s Zinnser B-I-N Primer – a shellac-based primer that is supposed to block and seal stains including knots and tannin bleed.

Then I cleaned and lightly sanded the drawers and dresser top(it too had orange streaks…insert sad/mad face here).

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Then I applied this Zinnser B-I-N Primer over all the knots and tannin that bled through.

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Once it dried I applied a coat of the primer over everything. Then repainted the dresser using the Rust-oleum Chalk Paint in Linen White. Repainted the drawer fronts with Sherwin Williams Watery. Looks great!! I’ll let you know how it holds up over time. Hoping third time is the charm.

There was however a bright side to all of this. Remember how I said I originally wanted fancy drawer knobs but had to settle for what I already had, the leftover bronze knobs?

Well, I was able to get my fancy knobs. I found this set of 12 knobs, the EXACT number I needed at Home Goods. For only $19.99!!! Whoo hoo!!!

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Look at her now..all nice and shiny. I love how the light is reflected by the new crystal knobs.

So sometimes DIY projects don’t turn out how you expected. Sometimes they get tweaked and turn out even better!

Can’t wait to show you the completed room.

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~Sherry