ORC Fall '23 IKEA IVAR Cabinets Get the Organic Modern Treatment

Hey there, DIY mavens! Welcome to my DIY kingdom, where I turn the mundane into the extraordinary. In week 2 of the Fall 2023 One Room Challenge, I embarked on a mission that had been a long time coming: transforming three IKEA IVAR cabinets into a custom credenza that would fit seamlessly into the organic modern style. This project was two years in the making, as I originally intended to tackle it during the Fall 2021 challenge, but the IVAR cabinets were out of stock for months. As soon as they made their triumphant return, I pounced, buying three of them in a heartbeat.

Materials You'll Need:

The IVAR cabinets before any changes

Step 1: Channeling Organic Modern Vibes with Wooden Balls

The driving inspiration behind this credenza was to infuse it with the essence of the organic modern style. Picture sleek lines meeting natural elements. I love the way that organic modern style uses different textures to add visual interest to a space. To achieve a similar feel, I decided to attach half-round wooden balls using wood glue—55 of these little gems per door!

  1. Mark the placement of the wooden balls on the cabinet doors, spacing them evenly.

  2. Use wood glue to attach the balls to the cabinet doors.

  3. Allow the wood glue to dry overnight. To ensure that the glue seals, I placed heavy books on top of the wooden balls as they were drying.

I played around with the spacing of the wooden balls until I was satisfied with the design

Helpful Hint: Be patient; let that wood glue set . I listened to sooo many podcasts while completing this portion of the project. I removed the doors so that I could lay them down while they were drying.

Step 2: Special Walnut Stain... Or Not So Special

Originally, I had visions of staining the cabinets with Minwax Wood Stain in the 'oh-so-special' Special Walnut. But guess what? I didn't stir and mix that stain right, and it showed. The result? An uneven, blotchy mess that was anything but special.

To avoid this, make sure to stir your stain thoroughly before applying it. You may also want to consider using a gel stain, which is less likely to drip or run.

Step 3: The Battle with Goof Off (Spoiler: I Lost)

In an attempt to salvage the stain disaster, I brought in the big guns: Goof Off. Did it save the day? Not exactly. Those blotches were tough cookies to crack.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, don't despair. There are a few things you can try to remove the stain:

The first coat of Special Walnut next to the unstained cabinet door.

  • Try using a commercial stain remover.

  • Apply a mixture of equal parts baking soda and water to the stain and let it sit for a few hours.

  • Sand the area lightly.

Step 4: Embracing the Dark Side with KonA

Undaunted by the setback, I chose to embrace the dark side with Varathane Gel Stain in the enigmatic shade of "Kona." Not only did it rescue me from the uneven Special Walnut stain, but it also gave the wood a sultry, rich brown-black allure. Is it the Special Walnut influence? Or just the Kona doing its thing? Who knows? But I'm smitten!

Handles or No Handles? That's the Million-Dollar Question.

I grappled with the decision of adding gold half-moon handles to the doors. Glam or no glam? Ultimately, I felt that they might steal the spotlight from our wooden ball ensemble, so they got the axe.

What do you think: Handles or no handles?

Step 5: Mastering the Art of Gel Stain Application

To apply the Varathane Gel Stain, I ditched the brush and embraced a microfiber cloth. It was like switching from a butter knife to a lightsaber. Smooth, even, and a finished look that had me doing a victory dance. Lesson Learned: The right tool makes all the difference. Microfiber cloth, you're my hero.

Here are a few tips for applying gel stain:

Adding a coat of Kona covered up the blotchy stains.

  • Apply the stain in thin coats.

  • Work in the direction of the wood grain.

  • Allow the stain to dry completely between coats.

  • Apply a final coat of polyurethane for protection.

Step 6: Cotton Swabs to the rescue

To get into the crevices created by the wooden balls, I had to get creative. The microfiber cloth was too thick to get into the tight corners, so I used cotton swabs to apply stain to these areas. It took quite a bit of time, but it was worth it to get full coverage on the doors.

In the end, my DIY escapade to transform those IKEA IVAR cabinets into a custom credenza was like a rollercoaster ride. Twists, turns, and unexpected thrills. But guess what? I emerged victorious, and the result is nothing short of spectacular.

This credenza was inspired by the organic modern style, where clean lines meet natural elements, and it fits like a glove. And after a two-year wait for the IVAR cabinets to return to stock, it's all the sweeter.

To-Do List update

I can’t believe we’ve already finished two weeks of the One Room Challenge. Here's what I have left to do before the big reveal:

  • IVAR Credenza Magic: I’m finally making that dream storage credenza happen, and it's going to be epic.

  • Kitchen Revival

  • Building a Dining Room Table

  • Faux Limewash Wall

  • Kitchen Organization

As for what's on the horizon next week, brace yourselves for an absolute masterpiece: faux limewash walls created with regular paint! Follow me on Instagram (@jennosias) for daily updates, pro tips, and some behind-the-scenes hilarity. Together, we'll conquer the wild world of DIY, one adventure at a time. Until then, let those creative juices flow, and happy crafting!

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