Hackers Help: Need advice on painting HEMNES TV unit By: mnb

Photo: IKEA.com

Hello,

I have a black-brown HEMNES TV unit (Article Number: 802.509.57) that I’m trying to paint white (the exact same color as HEMNES Bookcase white stain). I bought 2 of those white bookcases so that I can create a large entertainment center like HEMNES TV storage combination after painting the TV unit white. I took one of the pieces of the bookcase to the paint shop to paint match and they gave me a semi-gloss water-based paint with primer. I explained to them that the descriptions of the TV unit said solid pine, stained, clear acrylic lacquer. They said since the surface is smooth I didn’t need to sand. However, after the second coat of paint the paint could easily come off by scratching with fingernail.

I don’t know much about painting but whether I use water-based or oil-based paints I don’t think it’s supposed to come off with a simple scratch like that. Does clear acrylic lacquer mean laminate? I’ve been researching on how to paint furniture but I don’t know if laminate furniture is what’s underneath the surface or what’s on the surface. I don’t know if I need to go buy a primer in addition to already having a paint with primer in it so the paint will stick better. Do I need to sand it down and paint even though the paint shop person told me I don’t have to?

I have a small child who constantly plays with his toys on this TV unit so it needs to be able to withstand the wear and tear of children’s play. Would you please give me some suggestions on how to paint this TV unit? I can’t return this paint since it was custom made so I need to know a way to paint it using the paint I already have. Thank you!!

Mnb,

The HEMNES is solid wood with a coat of lacquer to finish it. It is not laminate. (Laminate is a thin layer of veneer stuck on top of the surface) It is recommended that you remove the lacquer first before painting, if not the paint would not adhere. In short, sand it down. Clean it. Prime and paint. Here is a tutorial from Centsational Girl who tackled the HEMNES dresser which is the same material as the TV unit you are painting. Good luck. ~ Jules

via IKEA Hackers http://ift.tt/1DTCLsG From mnb

LAMPAN with a fresh new look By: suzannexz

1. Buy an Ikea Lampan or salvage the lamp from a friend

2. Get papers with design that suits your taste.

3. Fold the paper about 1cm gap into a fan like shape

4. Use either hot glue or multi-purpose glue and place the glue on the the Lampan’s lamp cover

5. Stick and lay the paper carefully

6. and you’re done

via IKEA Hackers http://ift.tt/1s8ytYL From suzannexz

We Are Family 2014 By: Grace Bonney

With the holidays right around the corner, my thoughts are always centered on family. This is the one time of year I get to spend time with all of my family, and being with those special people makes the cold weather seem a little less daunting. Families can look and feel like a lot of different things to different people: spouses, partners, companions, friends, siblings, neighbors, children and pets- there is no wrong way to build a family as long as it is filled with love. One of my favorite things about living online these days is getting to actually see more of people’s families. TV and movies are filled with “perfect” families this time of year, but I love that social media has given me the chance to get to know so many real families through funny photos, stories of failed recipes, short videos of new babies and all sorts of updates that share moments from the day-to-day lives of families everywhere.

I was talking with Will Taylor of Bright Bazaar about how powerful it is to see, share and connect with people through their families online and we decided that it would be great to team up and celebrate family this month. Rather than our normal DS hashtag challenge, we’re working together to create a hashtag celebration that encourages people to share their family online. Whether it’s a traditional family portrait, a funny mishap that brought everyone together in one photo or just a casual shot of the people you love, upload your family photos to Instagram, hashtag them #WeAreFamily2014 and tell us what your family means to you. Will and I created a Tumblr page that will automatically pull in your entries so everyone can enjoy getting to know your family and share their own. We’ll be sharing some of your photos on our feed, too and can’t wait to meet everyone’s family. xo, grace

*Images above: Will & Toby Taylor-Willis, Grace, Julia and Hope Turshen.

via Design*Sponge http://ift.tt/1Gftejp From Grace Bonney

Jansjö LED Bedside Reading Light By: Michael

Materials: Two Jansjö clamp spotlights

The clamp spot was not stable enough for me.

For each adjustment he slipped. So I opted for a fixed installation.

1. To this end, I first drilled out the axle.

2. At the upper part of the clip I cut the unnecessary portion.

3. The real secret is the angle shown. It’s originated from an aluminum profile with 25 x 40 mm leg length. First, a hole of 10 mm diameter is drilled. With the hacksaw two slots are cut to the hole. Please straighten the whole thing with a file.

3. Insert the clamp spot and drill two holes through aluminum angle and clamp. Connect with two M4 screws.

4. Then drill two holes on the long side of the angle and tighten the screws behind the bed.

5. Fix the switch with a Tesa powerstrip and wrap the bracket with adhesive tape. This protects your fingers from the sharp edges of the angle when switching.

6. Have fun while reading your books in bed!

via IKEA Hackers http://ift.tt/1rScJiE From Michael

IKEA Stockholm pendant lamp By: Dyna

Materials: IKEA Stockholm bowl

I love the IKEA Stockholm bowl and I wanted to make some sort of a lamp with it since that’s, well, what we do.

I looked everywhere for ideas, but did not find much. It is just too pretty of a bowl not to find a way to use it so I thought, a Hanging lamp.

I had a lamp in my kitchen that shows off a beautiful stain glass via a hanging shallow bowl, and the idea was born. We could do the same thing with the Stockholm bowl.

At Habitat for Humanity I found a hanging lamp which was very inexpensive (about $20). We replaced the milky, but boring hanging bowl with our Stockholm, after drilling three holes in the ends the support with chains.

We quickly found that something would be needed to filter the light through, as you don’t want the three light bulbs that are attached appearing through the bowl slots.

After little bit of searching we realize that a ceiling globe would be perfect. For $10 we found a simple one to use at the hardware store.

The globe already had a hole in the center, but we had to drill one more hole in the Stockholm bowl so that we could attach the ceiling light.

via IKEA Hackers http://ift.tt/1wXWjeQ From Dyna

Happiest Haunting! From noreply@blogger.com (House of Smiths)

Today's Inspiration comes from guest blogger noreply@blogger.com (House of Smiths) Be sure to check out their blog!

STAY SAFE and have a FABULOUS day!!!

*** original post via TheHouseofSmiths.com ***

Boalt CD or DVD box to planter By: IH guest

An updated version of this hack that’s more permanent. That hack required lining the box with plastic – this version recycles other parts of the box, using nothing but glue.

Materials:

Boalt CD or DVD box

Pliers, sandpaper, wood glue, paint or varnish

Step 1: Using pliers, break off all the little slats that hold each DVD. They snap off easily. Try to keep them as whole as possible for Step 3. Don’t pull them out completely – they’re holding the box together.

Step 2: Sand the inside of the box along the gap. Get it nice and flat so you can glue evenly. If you want to be especially nice, sand inside from the opening down to the gap. Below the gap will be covered by dirt, so who cares.

Step 3: Glue those slats you broke off in Step 1 on the inside of the box to cover the gap so dirt won’t be constantly oozing out of your new planter. I tried both gluing horizontally along the gap and breaking the slats into smaller pieces and gluing vertically. Both worked fine. The slats are easy to break into smaller pieces with pliers.

Step 4: After the glue is dry, paint or varnish inside and out, especially if it’s going to be outdoors. Painting the inside and having the outside plain gives a nice pop of color.

Step 5: Add soil. Voila! Your plants will be so happy.

~ Neely

via IKEA Hackers http://ift.tt/1wNgkD5 From IH guest