Childhood Goes Mid-Century Bedside
Materials: Ikea nightstand (Rast), saw the Watco Danish oil, 4 table legs, 4 angled top plates with screws, furniture oil , sandpaper, tape measure, pencil, screwdriver
description: This small Ikea bedside table has been in our family for 30 years and was with three children. When it happened to me, it was covered with water stains, chipped veneer and scribbles. But the bones of it were perfect - a small drawer to hide ugly things like cell phone chargers and ample space for books, clocks, lamps and knickknacks.
This project took about a week and is quite feasible in a small apartment. They no longer sell this exact nightstand, but you can get the same effect by using the Ikea Rast Chevet, unless the drawer.
Step 1: With all the dismantled parts, measure where you need to cut sides down. you want the sides and bottom to be flush with each other. Carefully cut the excess with a saw.
Step 2: If your nightstand is go untreated in step three. If you nightstand is treated, sand down and get rid of all traces of stain or varnish.
Step 3: Experiment with your Danish Oil on additional parts. I went with Watco Danish Oil Cherry to bring out the wood grain. Once you are satisfied with the shadow applied to all parts (including your table legs) generously until you are satisfied with the color. Let dry completely - it will say on the container how long it will take for me it was about 2 days.
Step 4: Assemble the night table and on the underside of the bottom piece, measure and mark with a pencil where you want your legs to go. Since they will be inclined, make sure that the lower leg is not going beyond the table's dimensions. Fix corner plates with a screwdriver and tighten your legs.
Step 5: Give the nightstand some furniture oil layers and repeat every time the wood begins to look dull.
This is a great little project to give some cheap night adult sensation in the middle of the century.
More bedside table in the middle of the century.
~ We Jules, Vancouver, Canada
author
Julius Yap "I'm Jules, the engine behind IKEAHackers and one that keeps this site running. My mission is to capture all the wonderful, inspiring, clever hacks and ideas for our beloved IKEA products "
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