This is a project that I wasn’t planning on sharing because the “artist in me” might be a little embarrassed of potential negative critiques on my work. But, the “DIYer in me” wants to show you how I repurposed an old IKEA LACK side table that I found disassembled in the garage.
The other day, I stumbled upon the top part of an IKEA LACK side table which had served more purposes in its lifetime than its price could justify.
The fact that I only came across the top part of the table is, I think, the reason that made me look for ways to reuse it. It was like a blank canvas. Literally.
I haven’t taken any in-process photos, but I think it’s all pretty simple, and if you need any more info, please feel free to message me.
First, I gave it a nice wash and scrub ~ there was glue all around it from this project years ago and dirt and dust from sitting in the garage since our last move.
Then, with a roller, I applied a primer because I know from experience (and I mean this project) that all IKEA LACK tables need to be primed before being painted. I did two coats on the front and sides, but, before applying the second coat, I added a few craft paint drops (Martha Stewart | Sycamore Bark) to the primer. The light brown broke the sterile white of the primer and that was actually a perfect neutral color to use as a background color for my art piece.
To make perfect circles, I used one of these round foam pouncers that I dipped into craft paint. I didn’t bother cleaning the foam pouncer after each color use ~ I went from one color to another and you can see a mix of colors in each circle ~ that gave more depth and interest to the circles.
What do you think?
My “canvas” is quite big, 22″x 22″ and I like the extra thickness, it’s 2″ thick, a lot thicker than a regular canvas.
It was easy to hang it on the wall: there were already holes on the four corners of the back side of the table top where the legs are supposed to attach. I simply inserted long nails into the wall and my art piece is hanging flat on the wall through the two top holes.
Here’s a close up. Like every other art project, (and I’ve done a few) it was so fun and relaxing.
All the items in this picture have a story! On the left is a real piece of art made by my mother. This was actually a homework assignment from the time she attended art school. I have a whole collection of her classwork and I found a terrific and inexpensive way to frame them all (see here). I made the two ceramic bowls when I was taking ceramic classes in Germany. The desk is a fantastic DIY (see here the before and after). The honeycomb wood box is from a Crate & Barrel clearance event and the table lamp is a present from my kids (Target). The Greek key vase is a thrift shop find and so is the chair (see here how I reupholstered it).
So, traditional canvas or IKEA LACK table top? This time I will go for the LACK table top ~ it’s modern, fresh, it looks like something a lot more expensive than what it actually is. And even if I were to buy a brand new LACK table and use only its top for an art project, it would still be less expensive than a real canvas.
This piece of art will not stay with me. It’s a present for my daughter and I can’t wait for her to have it!
