{IKEA baskets transformed...}

According to Carnegie Melon: "Only one book has been distributed in more copies than the Bible — the Ikea catalog."

I bought the Hemnes Sofa Table from Ikea for our kitchen nook to use as a console.  I like it because it has a simple design and is made from solid wood (not fancy wood, just pine, but that's better than particle board). I plan on painting and doing some distressing on it in the future, to change its look.  I may have to experiment using Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint in Duck Egg Blue, Old White, and Country Grey. 

The console painting experiment will have to wait, but I did do a little transformation experiment on the IKEA Branas baskets.  I like the baskets, but I do not love the original color.  They were a little "blond" for my liking.  So, I decided to paint them myself.  I used regular craft paint in a couple of colors until I got the effect I was after.

The baskets BEFORE:

 The baskets AFTER:

Here's how to get the look:
1. Use a regular paint brush and paint different colors of paint, using just paint, but with a dry brush.  Keep working the paint in the nooks and crannies of the basket.  I used a lot of Burnt Umber, and a little of Raw Umber Basics acrylic paint I got from Michael's. 

2. Once the paint was on, it looks a little "streaky" from the bristles of the brush.  I solved that problem by dipping the brush lightly into water and then running the damp brush over the paint.  That technique made the paint blend a little more and got rid of the "streaky" look.  They aren't perfect, but who is keeping score?  Right?

3. Once I achieved the look I was after, I let them dry.  Once they dried, I sprayed them with two coats of gloss polyurethane. 

What do you think?  I think I love them!

Speaking of IKEA...I can't wait to show you what we are doing with our mudroom with two of these: HEMNES TV UNITS!