Turn a plain, but storage-rich dresser into a parquetry-style nightstand with, of all things, duct tape. There are so many colors of this almost indestructible material available that you can find a color scheme that will fit your bedroom decor.
This wood parquetry nightstand from West Elm was the inspiration for our dresser makeover.
We started with the affordable Tarva dresser from IKEA. Its simple lines and untreated surface are ideal for taking on your makeover flights of fancy. Bonus: it’s way cheaper than the one at West Elm, more fun, and just as stylish.
A color palette of blues, silver, and aqua is ideal for a serene bedroom and provides the contrast we need to create the parquetry design.
Applied to the dresser, the tape looks awesome. Here’s how to create this look.
First, prime and paint wood dresser pieces with two coats. We used Star Spangled by Olympic Paints, available at Lowe’s. Let dry between coats. Drill holes in drawer fronts for the larger chrome pulls. Assemble the box of the dresser.
Create a practice pattern for your duct tape design on cardboard. Our design uses four colors (Dark Blue, Light Blue, Silver Duct, and Teal Blue) of 2-inch-wide, craft-grade tape. Use a carpenter’s square and pencil to plot the right angles. When you have a design you like, transfer the design to the three drawer fronts.
Trim tape with scissors or an X-acto knife. Assemble dresser drawers; attach bar drawer pulls. Place the finished drawers into the dresser.
The finished nightstand offers bold color against the soft wall hue. A simple window treatment keeps the focus on the nightstand.
The busy pattern on the nightstand complements the shade of the upholstered headboard and balances the quieter pattern in the bed linens. You can have pattern next to pattern without it getting too busy. It’s all about visual balance.
A dresser as nightstand offers the advantage of ample bedside storage and a roomy surface for a reading lamp, books, clock, and carafe.
The tweed lampshade gets an upgrade with two rows of satin ribbon at top and bottom in navy and aqua shades. I’ve never thought this before about a lamp, but it is rather handsome.
Make up a cozy bed in a mix of patterns large and small, complemented by accent pillows in shades that match the nailhead-trimmed headboard and linens. If you want to introduce a little warmth into the palette, toss in an accent pillow sporting a coral or goldenrod hue. You can never have too many pillows!
What are your latest up-cycled projects? We’d love to hear about them in the comments below!
Produced by Meredith Ladik
Photography by Chris Hennessey
Sources
Dresser — Tarva, IKEA.com
Tapes — Craft-grade duct tape, 2 inches: www.tapebrothers.com
Wall paint color — Filtered Shade 4003-1B in the Reserve formula from Valspar Paints: Dresser paint color—Star Spangled C53-6 by Olympic Paints; all available at www.lowes.com
Duvet and shams — Ikat aqua: www.CrateandBarrel.com
Headboard — Skyline Furniture Nail Button Upholstered Headboard in Premier Lazuli, queen size, SKY1796: www.Wayfair.com
Drawer Pulls — 16″ Flat End Bar Pull in satin nickel, Part#: P02106C-SS-C: www.libertyhardware.com
Rug — Diamond Sisal, 6X9, Gray and Natural: www.ShadesofLight.com
Carafe and Meridian votives in Condesa: www.nichemodern.com
© Caruth Studio