SIDE HUSTLE

IS THAT OLD BEDSIDE LETTING YOUR BOUDOIR STYLING DOWN? ACHIEVE AN ON-TREND NEW LOOK WITH A LITTLE UPCYCLING KNOW-HOW

Project and styling SAMANTHA POINTON Photography RICHARD WEINSTEIN

Dark varnish tends to date otherwise sound timber furniture, but making it much more ‘now’ is only a matter of using the right materials. For this tired bedside, we chose a super-tactile look: chalky matt paint over primer formulated for covering glossy surfaces, textured paintable wallpaper and chic leather and brass pulls.

Tools & materials n Safety equipment (mask, ear and eye protection and disposable gloves) n Drop sheet n Screwdriver n Scraper n Orbital sander with 120-grit abrasive disc n Microfibre cloth n Paint stirrer n 50mm angled brush n Mini microfibre roller with spare covers n Mini tray with disposable liners n Pencil and tape measure n Scissors n Drill with 4mm bit n Spanner n Combination pliers

Painted wallpaper

n Preloved bedside cabinet n Timber filler n 180-grit abrasive paper with sanding block n Three-in-one primer n Ultra-matt chalk paint n Paintable textured wallpaper n Low-sheen interior paint n Leather handles with supplied fasteners n If using power tools, always wear the recommended safety gear and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use. n When painting or using aerosols like spray adhesive, work in a well-ventilated area, wear a mask, eye protection and gloves, and protect surrounds with a drop sheet.

Keep in mind...

1 Working in a well-ventilated area, set out a drop sheet and place the bedside cabinet on top. Take out the drawers and remove the handles with a screwdriver. Use a scraper to smooth over the handle holes with timber filler, leaving to dry. Sand with 180-grit abrasive paper to remove excess.

2 On the outside of the cabinet, use an orbital sander with a 120-grit abrasive disc to smooth over larger, flat areas. Next, smooth all over using 180-grit abrasive paper with a sanding block. Tip: There’s no need to completely remove the finish, you just need to create a ‘key’ for the primer.

3 Wipe away any dust with a damp microfibre cloth. Stir three-in-one primer for about five minutes, then apply using an angled brush along the edge profiles and corners, and a mini microfibre roller for the larger, flat areas. Leave to dry thoroughly.

4 Stir the chalk paint well and, in the same way as the primer, apply two coats to the outside of the cabinet, leaving to dry thoroughly after each coat. Tip: We used a chalk-effect paint, which has good coverage and a durable, scratch-resistant surface.

5 With the wallpaper facing right-side down, mark around the drawer fronts with a pencil, adding clearance on all sides. Cut with scissors. Tip: For the clearance, add 10mm to the thickness of the drawer front, which is usually about 20mm. Cut the corners with 45° angles to easily fit around the edges.

6 Spray contact adhesive over the front and sides of the drawer fronts, as well as the underside of the wallpaper. Leave the adhesive to become touch-dry according to the pack instructions. When ready, position the paper, folding the sides over the drawer-front edges. Press to hold.

7 Stir hard-wearing, low-sheen paint thoroughly, then use a clean brush to apply two coats over the wallpaper covering the drawer fronts, leaving to dry after each coat. Tip: To give the wallpaper a woven rattan or linen look, choose a creamy beige tone (we used Dulux Basketweave Beige).

8 Mark the centre of the drawer fronts, 40mm down from the top, and drill right through with a 4mm bit. Check the depth of the drawer front against the handles’ supplied snap-off screws and adjust to fit with a spanner and combination pliers. Screw in the handles and replace the drawers.

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See this little chest take on new life: bunnings.com. au/upcycled-bedside