get the rest of the DIY details and sources after the jump…
Supplies needed:
Orbital Sander (or sandpaper and A LOT of elbow grease)
Primer
Paint (we used Farrow & Ball, Theresa’s Green in Gloss)
Nail Hole Filler (we used this one)
We used this HVLP sprayer and an air compressor to spray on the paint for a super smooth finish
Chop Saw
Drill
Rupe was a bit nervous about using the paint sprayer for the first time but, with me being pregnant, I didn’t want to get involved and handed off my usual painting duties to him and he aced it! I have to say the sprayers are way easier to use than they look, and the finish turns out SO MUCH BETTER, I have become an addict. Finally, we let everything dry outside and then put on the new hardware and filled it with cute onsies and all things baby.
We also plan on attaching a changing pad to the top of the dresser to make this our changing station. I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out and that soft minty color against my cloud wallpaper feels like just the right amount of whimsy.What do you think? Please share if you guys have done any ikea hacks. I can never get enough!
Dresser from Ikea // Paint color Theresa’s Green by Farrow & Ball // Brass Drawer Pulls by Lewis Dolin (14″ Center) // Cloud Wallpaper (I had custom made with my own pattern) // Mirrors from Wayfair // Rock Lamp from Land of Nod // Plush Raccoon and Fox by Walnut Animal Society // Rug by Frances Loom // Wooden Blocks (made by my dad)Images by Sarah Sherman Samuel
Wow. What a beautiful hack. And a beautiful room. And a lucky baby! I’m doing my first (extremely simple) IKEA hack this weekend. I’m going to change the knobs on the IKEA Hemnes 3-drawer chest. I have to build up my confidence to do bigger projects like you :).
Brillant!
This is très chic.
You’re SO right! It’s all about the legs. Your hack just elevated the piece by 200%
This is amazing! That color is so great with your wallpaper. Enjoy your babe and congrats 🙂
-Lori
http://www.canyonid.com
We hacked a Tarva for our nursery, too! In a very similar color.
http://www.chrislovesjulia.com/2014/02/ikea-tarva-dresser-makeover.html
But I absolutely love the idea of those angled legs. Something to remember for sure.
Turned out great! And those plush animals are so cute! Love the non-screaming colour palate for baby toys.
this is the best ikea hack i’ve seen in a long time. gorgeous color too.
This is amazing. Thank you for always generously sharing your ideas with us less creative folk : ) Congrats on your sweet baby boy!
Your Ikea hacks are the best! x
I LOVE THIS! I saw on your Instagram that it’s in use as a changing table, as noted you were going to do. How is that working out? I saw the Ikea specs that it’s less than 16″ deep, so I’m wondering what you did for a changing pad and if it feels wide enough? Most of them out there are at least 16″ wide. Thank you!
I was wondering the same thing. Did you end up using this dresser for your changing table? Did the pad fit?
soooooooo cute, Sarah!!
Gorgeous hack! The dresser (and really everything about the nursery) is beautiful. Congratulations on your new arrival!
it’s crazy how just altering the legs turns it into a completely different dresser! and i’m with everyone else, your hacks are the best hacks! my latest Ikea hac was this guy http://wp.me/p2HqWR-18Z
You are the best!! This looks amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful little baby room vignette! I am also doing a slightly deeper mint green on my dresser/change table! I’m looking forward to seeing how you decide to attach the change pad as I’m trying to figure it out myself 🙂
[…] my favorite Ikea hack, ever. […]
This is amazingly beautiful, love it! Thanks for sharing!
I’m interested in buying a sprayer but am totally overwhelmed at which to buy…can you please share some info about your sprayer and air compressor, please? Many thanks! The dresser is just AWESOME!
Sarah,
The nursery and new bathroom look SO beautiful! Well done-this is why I keep coming back to your site. You are so talented and share the best wee money saving diy’s and shopping tips 🙂
Brilliant as always lady! Just genius.
Sarah – That is so beautiful. I love reading about your renovations because you make them seem so attainable for people like me! Quick question with regard to painting ikea furniture . . . do you only paint the exterior of the pieces or do you also paint interiors/drawers? If you don’t paint the interiors how do you keep paint from getting splattered in there or do you even care?
Gorgeous! Love the color, the pulls and the DIY in general!
xo
Christa
http://www.gardeniasandmint.com
[…] a sweet nursery, with a beautiful Ikea […]
This just looks AMAZING!! Another awesome DIY/Ikea hack! You guys are so good–it turned out so well and I love the wallpaper and décor items you put on top.
Hi There! I love the wallpaper! Is there any way I could get some? Who made it for you?
It turned out fantastic! I love this sweet little space and the hack is spot-on.
[…] My most recent Ikea Hack find is Sarah from Smitten Studio’s lovely Tarva dresser Ikea hack. This dresser is STUNNING, and I need to find more space in my house to try making my own haha I just love it so! Check our her simple DIY here. […]
[…] / I’m pretty into this Ikea hack: that dresser is super swanky isn’t it? My only concern would be that with those new legs, […]
SO GOOD!! You would NEVER guess that this began as an IKEA dresser…but I suppose that’s the point, huh? 😉
Seriously, so gorgeous! Amazing job!
[…] Sarah’s Ikea Dresser Hack for her sweet little one’s nursery is a new […]
[…] Részletek ITT. […]
[…] 16 ikea hacks to try {image originally via} […]
[…] vintage. Nor is it a high-end retail piece. Thanks to the ingenuity of Sarah Sherman Samuel over at Smitten Studio, a basic, no-frills IKEA staple was transformed into a sleek, beautiful, and functional […]
[…] vintage. Nor is it a high-end retail piece. Thanks to the ingenuity of Sarah Sherman Samuel over at Smitten Studio, a basic, no-frills IKEA staple was transformed into a sleek, beautiful, and functional […]
you are a genius! i was wondering if you were going to buy that $1500+ dresser on wayfair but this is so much better. totally love it.
very impressed!! beautiful dresser. super sweet nursery.
[…] love a good Ikea hack. I might have to recreate this somewhere. It is […]
We’re doing the same thing. But can you tell me what changing pad you found that is small enough to fit??? Pretty Please!
Hi Anne,
I used the standard changing pad and secured it to the back of the dresser. It hangs off the back .5″ but you don’t notice it at all because the dresser is pulled away from the wall that far to accommodate for a plug that is behind it. The pad sits flush with the dresser in the front. Hope that helps!
Sarah-
I’m wanting to make custom wallpaper for my friends nursery…could you share who you used to make yours?
Thanks!
[…] Smitten Studio’s tarva dresser […]
This is flippin genius! So elegant and pretty.
This is gorgeous!
[…] to the ingenuity of Sarah Sherman Samuel over at Smitten Studio, a basic, no-frills IKEA staple was transformed into a sleek, beautiful, and functional […]
This is such a beautiful room! I love it. Such a great inspiration for our baby boy’s nursery. Thanks for sharing.
Hi there,
I’m interested in doing this with my tarva, but I haven’t figured out what to do with the middle leg that holds the rails for the drawers. What did you do with yours?
Hi Chelsea! I painted mine dark brown (the same color as the floor) so it would blend in and kind of disappear.
Hi there, I LOVE this but do you feel like the legs are less strong now that they are skinnier? I’m thinking about doing this with an Ikea Hemnes. Thanks!
Hi Katy, thanks and not at all! The contact point between the legs and the dresser is still the full size so I don’t think it compromised the strength of the dresser. Good luck with your hack. x
[…] Smitten Studio […]
Oh my, this is a fantastic idea! Beautiful, unique.
Great idea!
[…] Sarah Sherman Samuel […]
This is amazing! I love how it turned out. Can I ask how much you measured to take off the legs? Thanks so much!
Gorgeous. . Can you share where you got the circle mirrors above the dresser?
dod you measure the angle for the cut or just eyeball it? Curious to know which angle you used.
[…] Nursery Dresser by Sarah Sherman Samuel […]
[…] Nursery Dresser by Sarah Sherman Samuel […]
Oh, I love it, it’s so gorgeous!
[…] source […]
[…] Tarva Dresser Hack By Sarah Sherman Samuel […]
Hi Sarah,
Looking to do our own hack of this dresser, and I noticed that the link for the Euro Pulls takes me to a 15″ center option, whereas you have stated you used 14″. Just looking to see what kind of bars I should purchase!
Laura
I was wondering the same thing. The link says they are 15″ pulls.
Such a beautiful hack! I love the bar pulls x
http://jessicawoods.fr
Question about the paint: Did you put a gloss over the paint? Could I use regular paint for walls (example:BEHR)?
Also for the paint sprayer….do you think something like this Campbell Hausfeld 6.5-in Air Sprayer would work?
[…] via […]
[…] I just couldn’t justify the price and hassle to install them. After seeing several cool IKEA hacks for the Tarva dressers, we opted to go this route since we want to eventually put in french doors […]
Great great great! I was wondering how big the difference of the end result was between this 6 drawer Tarva, and your vertical 5 drawer Tarva was — https://sarahshermansamuel.com/cabin-progress-bedroom-storage/ — in terms of the sanding and primer used on each. I think I recall you only lightly sanded and used a paint/primer combo for the white one. But here you used an electric sander and stronger primer. This is my first dresser hack, and the more shortcuts the better for a newbie like me 🙂 Suggestions? And how tough it is to line up those drawer pulls to a perfect level line? Thanks!
[…] is an Ikea Hack (see the DIY and all of the product sources for this photo here) // Green Ottoman from Modernhaus // Sheepskin Rug from […]
Love the dresser, but those little mirrors are too sweet… Where are they from ?!
[…] via […]
[…] legs are not so pretty and finding legs in the right shape and size can be tricky. Luckily, Sara found a great resolution to the long standing leg drama and it sure is pretty. […]
I love the blocks. Where are they from?
[…] for the changing table, we used a Tarva dresser inspired by Sarah’s DIY Hack and gave it the minty tone, yet added our own touch. We wanted to make it a bit deeper, creating […]
[…] My hubby cut the dresser sides with a miter saw and redrilled the holes to attach the dresser top. He also tapered the dresser legs. I got the idea for the tapered legs from this blog. […]
Hi Sarah- I was going to follow this painting method, but that particular sprayer says it can’t be used with latex paint… Is the farrow and ball that you used oil based? Thanks!
Hi there,
Are you able to break down the costs for this hack?
I am coming up close to $500 with just costs of dresser, the 6 pulls and the paint. I am imagine the other supplies could come in at a total of $200-$300. In the end would one spend about $800 on doing this hack? Seems to be a lot of money for a hack which I thought the whole point of a hack was to save money? Maybe I am wrong and dressers that look like this finished product are more expensive than even the $800 this hack ikea dresser would cost. I would love to do this hack but am hesitant because of the costs!
Thanks
Julie
HI Julie, Yes, that sounds about right. The goal of my ikea hack wasn’t just to get an inexpensive dresser but to have a custom piece in the color of my choosing. To get a custom dresser would cost thousands, and I couldn’t find the one I wanted. Also yes, most dressers do cost more that $800.
[…] a smooth finish. We took the square legs of the dresser and cut them on angles, inspired by Sarah Sherman Samuel’s ikea hack of the same dresser. The angled legs give the dresser a much more distinctive […]
[…] of Nod, but the price feels steep. I thought I could go the DIY route like Sarah Sherman Samuel did here for her nursery, but Ikea doesn’t seem to have an TARVA dressers anymore, and I can’t […]
Fantastic job! The tapered legs make all the difference. I was wondering what type of primer you used and how the paint is holding up. Pine boards are notorious for bleed-throughs over time, even with multiple coats of paint and primer. I’m embarked on a similar hack myself.
HI Chris,
thank you! I used killz primer and the paint is holding up perfectly. Farrow & Ball is worth every penny!
[…] An amazing IKEA dresser hack… […]
[…] 出典:sarahshermansamuel.com […]
[…] that’s where I started brainstorming and pinning up a storm. I came across this photo from Sarah Sherman Samuel and was […]
I just loved this so much it inspired me to do my own hack. I love the way it turned out too! I hope you are ok, but i noted your inspirational dresser in my post (with crediting you of course) Here’s a blog about how ours looks now! Thanks!! http://happychapter.net/customizing-ikea-furniture-sweet-chic-dresser-baby-girl/
Great idea! In stores IKEA quite a lot of inexpensive items that you can give a brand new and unusual species, to give another life!)
[…] on over there and check it out. She bought a Tarva dresser and came up with this very simple Ikea hack that turns a box dresser into a mid-century masterpiece. Now to be upfront about this project, […]
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i was wondering if you were going to buy that $1500+ dresser on wayfair but this is so much better. totally love it.
Those drawer pulls are nice, but for $38 each thats almost not worth it, might as well buy a whole new dresser then! 🙁
The link you provided for the brass pulls, shows a 15″ inch one. Is this the one you used? Thanks.
I just came across your site and then a Dutch one that uses the steps and photos from this very post. I couldn’t see you credited anywhere and thought you might want to know:
http://roomed.nl/ikea-hack-tarva-kast-krijgt-een-pastel-make-over/
This is a brilliant hack and the end result is gorgeous, thank you so much for posting it., it’s astonishing what a difference a small change makes. I’m gathering my courage to attempt it.
[…] A pretty Ikea hack DIY – […]
hi there! did you use an eggshell or full gloss? thanks!
Love this! Did you just prime and paint or did you use a coat of poly at all? Thanks!
Hi Sarah. I’m in the process of doing this hack. you mentioned that you used Kilz primer. which type did you use? there are so many different types. any advice would be great! thanks! 🙂
[…] Clockwise starting with the top left: Spartan desk, Utility shelving, Rustic side console, Floating cabinetry, Styled bar cart, Mid-century modern nursery dresser […]
I loved the pic and article that you have put.
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[…] great before and after tutorial by Stories. Re-inventing the Ikea Tarva dresser was VERY easy and relatively […]
Hi Sarah,
I just love this hack – and the one you did in your bedroom as well. I a, wondering how much you cut of the legs – how many cm/inches and in what angle?
Really hope you can help, thanks!:)
[…] tweaking to the legs to give us the clean mid century lines that fit with our house. I found this great tutorial by Sarah Sherman Samuel that gives you the list of materials and step by step instructions on how to do it. It really is […]
[…] Sarah Sherman Samuel […]
[…] Blush // Forest Green // Mint // Sky Blue // Mid […]
I would love to see more images and articles from your side. Fantastic Job
[…] 3. Sarah Sherman Samuel’s IKEA dresser DIY is downright genius—from the paint color to the mid-mod legs and the brass pulls, it’s one we definitely want to replicate! Tutorial & Image via Sarah Sherman Samuel […]
[…] the hardware in areas like your bedroom, the kitchen, or the bathroom is a quick, harmless, and easy way to add a […]
Sarah I am totally in love with this idea: the legs, the colour paint, the handles. Here is my tip though for what it is worth I have the same drawers (mine I did in grey) and the bottom of the drawers eventually easily slides out, so my tip would be to reinforce them some how or only fill them up half way. Loving your style!
Hi! That’s gorgeous! Do you know where did you get the sunburst mirrors?
Hi Marilia,
The sunburst mirrors are from One Kings Lane 🙂
[…] Supply […]
[…] has been hacked so many times. They all look so good. I'm obsessing over this dresser hack by Sarah Sherman Samuel. I love the color and the dresser pulls she […]
[…] DIY Transformed Tarva Dresser […]
[…] Source: Sarah Sherman Samuel […]
[…] Source: Sarah Sherman Samuel […]
[…] Source: Sarah Sherman Samuel […]
[…] Source: Sarah Sherman Samuel […]
How much paint did you buy? What finish? Eggshell or gloss?
Lovely colour, seem like gold colour is back in trend, I can see it on the handle.
Hello,
Your final product looks amazing! i am about to start the same project; but I am a bit nervous with the cutting of legs. Can you give me more details how you did it? What type od saw, etc?
[…] 1. Paint Makes All the Difference Tarva dresser owners rejoice; we’ve got the perfect DIY for you. A couple cuts to the legs make them feel more refined. New handles and a fresh coat of paint pick the rest of it right up. Select your favorite shade to match the brushed brass bars. For this nursery, a fresh minty tone was selected. However, we know a deep navy would look divine in your master bedroom. […]
[…] the Ikea Tarva Dresser hack is nothing new, Sarah’s attention to this key detail ensures that this piece will create a more elegant […]
Lovely colour and great collections. I really loved it!!
[…] Via Sarah Sherman Samuel […]
[…] Turn it Into a Dresser We’re definitely big fans of an upgrade that provides us with multiple elements of functionality—this dresser-turned-changing table being one prime example. The mama-to-be over on The Fresh Exchange took to hers with a saturated pop of color, sleek knobs, and a textured basket for a well-rounded finish. Paired with a set of wall-mounted shelves above, it becomes the ultimate baby-friendly nook. Paint Makes All the Difference […]
[…] De entre todas las posibilidades que me ofrecía Pinterest la que más me gustaba era esta […]
Hi could this work with a male dresser from ikea?
Thanks x
[…] un meuble simple avec un énorme impact : la blogueuse Sarah Sherman Samuel de Smitten Studio a amélioré la commode TARVA à 6 tiroirs avec une couche de peinture blanche et […]
It is a really amazing article. I’d love to read it again.
Colorful & beautiful article.
[…] nursery progress & ikea hack DIY | Sarah Sherman Samuel – Wow. What a beautiful hack. And a beautiful room. And a lucky baby! I’m doing my first (extremely simple) IKEA hack this weekend. I’m going to change the knobs on. […]
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Creativity and imagination makes us do things we thought we could not and it turns out to be a skill or a passion..nice diy!
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How did you get the pull bars level and the same on each drawer?
Thanks
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Hello, really amazing article and helpful content.
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[…] off the round up is this genius Tarva Dresser hack from Sarah Sherman Samuel. She customized the IKEA dresser for her baby’s nursery and the end result is fantastic. She […]
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[…] This hack takes the simple Tarva dresser and turns into a beautiful stylish piece of furniture. Just painting it and adding more upscale handles, it becomes the most chic dresser you could have in your home. See the hack right here. […]
I was thinking about refinishing this piece from Ikea and was thinking about doing the same thing to the legs. do they still feel sturdy/strong enough once they were cut down.
[…] 1–2–3–4 […]
[…] off the spherical up is that this genius Tarva Dresser hack from Sarah Sherman Samuel. She custom-made the IKEA dresser for her child’s nursery and the tip result’s implausible. […]
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[…] 5. Transform An IKEA Dresser from Elementary5-ok-1… to Elegant DIY: http://sarahshermansamuel.com/nursery-progress-ikea-hack-diy/#more-8479 […]
[…] Ikea hack. Tarva Dresser with legs cut at an angle to create an elegant profile. This one small detail doesn’t cost a thing and it changes the look of the dresser dramatically. Paint: Farrow & Ball: Teresa Green, gloss (sprayed on). Pulls: Lewis Dolin’s brass round bar pull 15”from http://www.myknobs.com sarahshermansamue… […]
[…] Baby Jones — Paige Jones sarahshermansamue… […]
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[…] I just couldn’t justify the price and hassle to install them. After seeing several cool IKEA hacks for the Tarva dressers, we opted to go this route since we want to eventually put in french doors […]
[…] Source: Sarahshermansamuel […]
Wow. What a nice and impressive hack. All the things are beautiful – room, drawer, metal pulls. I will do it in my home.
[…] Puedes ver el truco de bricolaje completo aquí. […]
[…] You can see the complete DIY hack right here. […]
[…] This pretty dresser that would look great in any nursery is an IKEA hack using the Tarva dresser. This dresser looks incredibly designer and expensive, yet all that was involved was a coat or two of paint and new handles! You can see the hack right here. […]
[…] you can get the same look for much cheaper if you are willing to get a little crafty. Check out this amazing transformation of a wooden IKEA Tarva dresser from plain to quaint using a fresh coat of paint and some brass bar […]
[…] IKEA’s wooden Tarva dresser from something plain into something photogenic. This adorable dresser looks far from a budget buy and fits right into the nursery décor of this […]
I love this, but wish I could see your photos here.
Did the 14 inch drawer pulls fit the pre-drilled holes in the drawers or did you have to fill the existing holes and drill new ones?