Materials: Ikea Coffee Table (Unsure of Name), Thin Maple Ply, Jigsaw, Tapered Legs
Description: This coffee table was bought on Craigslist, so we don't know the name. We've looked high and low for the name, so if anyone knows, let us know!
We removed the ugly matte metal legs, then cut the table roughly into thirds. Next, using a jigsaw, we cut the thin maple ply for the backs, then stained them a nice walnut color.
Unfortunately, the veneer on the coffee table chipped a little when we cut it, so we applied a thin strip of veneer edging to cover it, and stained it the same walnut.
After adding matching walnut tapered legs (from Ace Hardware), our new nightstands were good to go, and surprisingly sturdy!
~ Matt and Beth, Pennsylvania
That is a super idea! The "retro" legs match perfectly. Pam @ Sallygoodin
ReplyDeletevery nice!
ReplyDeleteMatt and Beth- I really like the retro look. Great Hack!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's fantastic!! Great hack, I love it!
ReplyDeletecouldn't you have used the middle thirds (which i assume you chucked out?) as the back pieces instead of having to buy the "thin maple ply?"
ReplyDeleteWhat a great looking room! Those bed stands add a really nice retro style, definitely a ingenious hack you guys came up with. Though I'd have to agree with redvic about using the left over 1/3 for the backing. Is there a particular reason why you didn't use it?
ReplyDeleteSweet!
ReplyDeleteWOW VERY NICE INDEED!!
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone for the nice words!
ReplyDelete@redvic and eric-
Unfortunately, the curvature of the tabletop made it impossible to fit the extra pieces onto the backs. Plus, we just liked having two tones of wood. We are planning on doing something with the extra middle pieces - they would make great tv trays...
where did you get the owl pillow? i love it!
ReplyDeleteI love this retro Ikea hack. The legs fits perfect and it looks great.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! You must be a very creative and resourceful couple!
ReplyDeleteTHIS is CRAZY COOL! Great WORK!
ReplyDelete@anonymous re: the pillow -
ReplyDeleteThe owl was handmade by my wife for my birthday a few years ago.
Thanks!
Inspired hack - looks great.
ReplyDeleteWanted to know what the bedside clock is?
Thanks !
Just curious, what do those x metal things on the inside do? Does the top go up and down? I kinda liked the old legs, but I understand that you couldn´t magically make two legs become four!
ReplyDeletevery, very clever. love the simple lines. I like the two tone effect. You'd never guess it was a hack job!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so cool! And so useful!
ReplyDelete@anonymous - the clock is a vintage find, I'm guessing from the 60s. It's called the GE Date Alarm clock. It still keeps perfect time, and tells you the date and the day of the week!
ReplyDelete@elle pee - those metal Xs are the braces that were originally holding the table together; we just left them as they were.
I was going to ask about the owl pillow too. Super cute. If she ever decides to sell them on Etsy or anything, let me know. I love owls. And the clock is also awesome. I really love the new nightstands. They go with your current decor perfectly. Great job!
ReplyDeleteMatt & Beth...
ReplyDeleteI'm an IKEA nerd dropping in to tell you that the coffee table is called the BUSKBO. Hope that helps! Great hack, love the look of the new tables.
Ooh absolutely love this. We're getting an Ikea in Bangkok soon, can't wait - so there's lots of lovely IKEA crafty things I'll soon be able to do.
ReplyDelete@Robin - Thank you so much for telling us the name. Couldn't find it anywhere.
ReplyDelete@Jennifer - I've actually been considering making more owls for sale..I'll leave another comment here when that happens. Thanks!
Love it and the tray idea.
ReplyDeleteFunny how you can't help but look at the owl. At first it reminded me of Pretty 'lil things owls.
ReplyDeleteto help avoid chipping the veneer when cutting (this also works when routing formica type counter tops) run a line of masking tape over your cutting line.
ReplyDeleteOuch! Looks good, but knowing how much I paid for my BUSKBO table at IKEA, I cringe at the thought of cutting it up. That coffee table was $200-300 new.
ReplyDeleteHella cool!
ReplyDeletewhere are those amazing lamps from?? please don't tell me they are vintage!
ReplyDeleteVery cool! I'm gonna attempt.
ReplyDelete@anonymous,
ReplyDeleteyes, those lamps are vintage -- my grandparents had them in the 60s. They were a gross salmon color before we painted them and added ikea shades.
@IPv6Freely,
Yikes! Makes me glad we only paid $25 for this one...