Inspired by this post on decor8 I decided that I needed to do something about my Fira chest of drawers. I've had it for years and for years it was hidden away in a cabinet. It wasn't even called Fira when I got it, it was "Moppe". As I got my sewing nook in order I brought it out and it looked boring.
I started off by painting the chest itself white. I also painted the edges of the drawers as I knew that some bits would be visible even when the drawers where shut and also I wouldn't have to be so careful cutting out my front papers.
Masking tape is great when you, like me, don't want to paint the whole thing but want a neat finish.
I took photos of my sewing supplies against a white background and then before printing them on a regular office color printer I lightened them a lot in Windows photo gallery to "remove" the backdrop and shadows. The colors go all weird but this was the effect I was after.
I had large prints and smallish drawers and wanted to make sure I got the pictures somewhat centered on the drawers. I realised the best way was to lay the print on top of the drawer and rub with my fingers against the edges to make an imprint of the drawer.
I then turned the print over and cut along the markings that were left by me rubbing the front. I used scissors to cut the handle bit out.
This was my first ever attempt at decoupaging. It will not be my last. So easy, so fun! Just brush the decoupage medium on, add your print and then add more medium on top, let dry and then add another layer of medium.
Tadaaaaaaa! This looks so much better that my first idea. It was to use scraps of printed paper from the craft store. I had them all cut out but decided it looked too cute. This is more me.
Awesome idea, especially because it's so easy to lose track of what one puts in the Fira.
Have a safe and pleasant trip - I'll miss your daily inspiration.
Posted by: Jean | October 18, 2008 at 05:14 PM
Det blev verkligen ursnyggt! Jag gjorde om min "moppe" för ett par månader sedan. Jag använde scrapbooking-papper, det blev inte på långa vägar så snyggt som din! :-)
Posted by: Hummmlan | October 18, 2008 at 06:00 PM
that is an awesome idea! I looks fantastic - well done :)
Posted by: L&coolj | October 18, 2008 at 06:06 PM
Very cute. Great colors. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: ann | October 18, 2008 at 06:39 PM
I love it! Now, I must go check out that link to "Fira"
Thanks! :o)
Posted by: Martha | October 18, 2008 at 06:42 PM
It looks great, I might have to steal this idea for later. I love decoupage - like you said, it is so easy, but it can still make a world of difference.
Also, a little aside - my cat's name is Moppe. ;)
Posted by: Renate | October 18, 2008 at 06:57 PM
Love this idea, definitely have to try it soon! Tack! :)
Posted by: Karin | October 18, 2008 at 07:26 PM
that is truly fabulous! I have this strange desire to go to Ikea now.
Posted by: Sarah Jackson | October 18, 2008 at 07:38 PM
Wow, it turned out so great! I redid mine with scraps of paper a few years ago and I never really liked it and have kept it hidden since then, now I'm definitely going to steal this idea, it is absolutely brilliant!
Posted by: petrified in pink (Petra) | October 18, 2008 at 08:21 PM
Benita, I've seen these little drawers covered cleverly many times, but your version by far is my favorite! You are just the cleverist! I can see this idea working in other ways, taking pictures of objects for decopage. Thank you!
Posted by: Julie | October 18, 2008 at 08:33 PM
Men guuud va gulligt! Du är så grilliant påhittig!!
Posted by: Lindzi | October 18, 2008 at 09:30 PM
that is so great, practical and pretty!
Posted by: erika | October 18, 2008 at 10:07 PM
Nej, hvor er det en smart idé!!! Det er som om motiverne svæver på skufferne....og den lille reol er blevet så personlig på denne måde.
Du burde samle alle dine skønne og fantastiske idéer i den bog, som jeg ved at du helt sikkert vil kunne lave :0)
Posted by: Ulla V. | October 18, 2008 at 10:56 PM
Snyggt!!!
Posted by: Anne | October 18, 2008 at 11:25 PM
Being a huge fan of your blog since month I'm so happy to see your FIRA. Mine was an inspiration from your work. Yes Yes it was!!
http://crassous-web.over-blog.com/article-22938950.html Basicaly explaining the poor drawer i am. So i need a stencil . It's white with silver metalic paint.
excuse my poor english.
Posted by: Caroline | October 18, 2008 at 11:53 PM
That is so adorable!
Posted by: Patia | October 19, 2008 at 12:20 AM
Brilliant! Love it!
Posted by: s.HOPtalk | October 19, 2008 at 05:02 AM
This is such a great idea Benita, and so original. I love it!
Posted by: Barb F (Australia) | October 19, 2008 at 05:41 AM
adorable! I love it!!
Am going to IKEA soon and will pick up one of these drawers. I've not tried decoupage before but you helped me see it before I tried it..which is immensely helpful.
(I'm a visual learner....so you helped me more than you could know) Your blog in general helps me visualize how things can be done---and that I can do it too.
Posted by: sunny | October 19, 2008 at 09:48 AM
Very nice! My husband has his Moppe in light brown (don't like it he,he) bought in Ikea like 10 years ago...it is a great idea to make it white!
"I took photos of my sewing supplies against a white background and then before printing them on a regular office color printer I lightened them "
Wow, super idea!!!
Posted by: ana | October 19, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Benita, I have 2 sets of Moppe (they were called that when I bought them too!), they are right here in front of me on my desk, looking all boring and plain. Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Maddy | October 19, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Love it. You always make such beautiful things. Your blog is always so inspiring and full of useful information. I love it.
Posted by: Emily | October 19, 2008 at 03:23 PM
That gorgeous!
Posted by: Rachel | October 19, 2008 at 05:43 PM
What a great idea! I might pimp my Fira soon too!
Posted by: Marianne | October 19, 2008 at 07:12 PM
that is so awesome! love the photos on the drawers!
Posted by: star | October 20, 2008 at 02:47 AM
Oooh, glad you like it :)
Posted by: Benita | October 20, 2008 at 10:39 AM
You blog really blows my mind, you really don't have any idea of how much your blog has inspired me to be more and more organized as I read your blog every day. I just want to stay thanks for that and I am excited to read of your book project.
Posted by: mona | October 20, 2008 at 11:17 AM
good job so nice!
regards from http://x4durosdesing.blogspot.com
Posted by: Tururu | October 20, 2008 at 05:49 PM
Oh my gosh, what an absolutely brilliant idea! I love it. :)
Posted by: All Things Lovely | October 21, 2008 at 07:22 AM
I love the pictures, colors, and the actual decoupage. Looks so easy and the result is great.
Posted by: Pearl | October 21, 2008 at 10:02 AM
So incredibly wonderful! Found your post at Craft Magazine — nice to find you!
Will check back often ;)
Posted by: Joe Girl | October 23, 2008 at 12:45 AM
Oh, wonderful!! That is gorgeous... colorful, yet simple. Lovely.
Posted by: Chelsea | October 23, 2008 at 01:48 AM
LOVE. I want to fix up an old set of drawers for my kids, and this is a great idea, but with clothing instead of sewing stuff. :) I didn't know it was so easy! (Last time I did something like this was when I was a teen, and I used magazine cutouts and some kind of varnish. ICK. )
:)
Posted by: thordora | October 23, 2008 at 03:25 AM
This is fabulous! you're so creative to have come up with this method.
Posted by: A Crafty Lawyer | October 23, 2008 at 03:21 PM
DH has one of the drawer sets he said I could have..now I just have to figure out what would fit best in there.
Great tutorial.
Posted by: Maureen | October 26, 2008 at 01:35 PM
Wow, that is adorable!! I love it! I want one just like it! LOL
Posted by: Maggie | November 11, 2008 at 08:25 AM
how cool it became! I saw many Fira / Moppe being covered with scrap paper but your idea is really wonderful.
Posted by: Franziska | December 13, 2008 at 11:19 PM
I adore these photographs, B. I want to shoot some photos of my jewelry and hang them up in our closet.
Ideally I would have some fab dressing room, but in the meantime, I can make what I have fabulous!
Posted by: Rachel | August 20, 2009 at 06:48 PM
Benita... you are sooo good!! I just can't stop reading your blog!!!
Best regards from sunny Spain!
MyR
Posted by: MyR | September 21, 2009 at 05:21 PM