Home Decoration Views

Hackeas: Easy fixes

Jonas gets pretty Paula adds her touch to the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/70103679" target="_blank">Jonas computer table</a>, via the magic of a black Sharpie. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nmJdf5bLqY0b3hHdxc62x-wJQoI-e9GRarI4VCqMfpFB820Bw5dob7mMqcdh8wBUkQo4gkFW3FcCX_fp07QRyNBu3vWI5_pj1PQr1ASG251rEqVelrhwviFuLozERuA0CPIXcxtRu-0/s1600-h/image.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nmJdf5bLqY0b3hHdxc62x-wJQoI-e9GRarI4VCqMfpFB820Bw5dob7mMqcdh8wBUkQo4gkFW3FcCX_fp07QRyNBu3vWI5_pj1PQr1ASG251rEqVelrhwviFuLozERuA0CPIXcxtRu-0/s400/image.png" width="300" /></a></div> Laptop stand and desk unclutterer Rick tips me on this laptop stand featured on <a href="http://lifehacker.com/400205/ikea-laptop-stand-and-organizer">Lifehacker</a>. Moritzvd repurposed the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30032387">Mackis CD storage drawer</a> to run some cables and voila! it's a laptop stand with organizer, desk declutter all in one. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMOhHYXOUcylx6DuIVmAZWqnTiB_oOCRZvxwbdMbZ2Jcdz1TPIkZ3ZRO_50ZfPZa5jZAnPe1A4cL3G_g9ab_oJN6YafzEnqbWOwqdqagA0Oz2vzOll79WrZaxk1gzCzrIhyeMgoJekJLl/s1600-h/mackis-laptop-stand.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316299242507736242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMOhHYXOUcylx6DuIVmAZWqnTiB_oOCRZvxwbdMbZ2Jcdz1TPIkZ3ZRO_50ZfPZa5jZAnPe1A4cL3G_g9ab_oJN6YafzEnqbWOwqdqagA0Oz2vzOll79WrZaxk1gzCzrIhyeMgoJekJLl/s400/mackis-laptop-stand.png" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 279px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 305px;" /></a> See more of the <a href="http://lifehacker.com/400205/ikea-laptop-stand-and-organizer">laptop stand and organiser</a>. Disco light USB box Handem hid an annoying LED lit USB connector underneath one of the tree part <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00090053" target="_blank">Risten boxes</a>, to create a fun disco light USB box. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1jqJ4HpOMs7T_qHIJiOpJZ-4hDnvtC4NnO3ffMB-maAcaNToqJYK78DTzWjV0kiWB4zVENBWEx3VfXfXUKBiSkxyykBYshqckMBM86XaYZkFyq5ODqoEWpj3JdaXL58X8xKNM3hQAVVG/s1600-h/100_4522.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325200942773539442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1jqJ4HpOMs7T_qHIJiOpJZ-4hDnvtC4NnO3ffMB-maAcaNToqJYK78DTzWjV0kiWB4zVENBWEx3VfXfXUKBiSkxyykBYshqckMBM86XaYZkFyq5ODqoEWpj3JdaXL58X8xKNM3hQAVVG/s400/100_4522.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a> Fira cutlery holder Lani lives in a small studio in Amsterdam. She says, "When I moved in, the studio was renovated, but the kitchen had still the original style; low counter top (my boyfriend used to do the dishes sitting on a chair), not many closets and no drawers to place cutlery. To add extra storage place, I placed an Ivar cabinet in my kitchen. During its assemble, I squeezed in a <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60073300">Fira drawer</a> inside it for my cutlery. I did not have to use any glue or nails, it exactly fits!" <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5rHRGemB3Ku1NR_wajVbNq37rOpwQcxYyy1E9TkPm5e7R-ZwGqecpKoXRvdIgHh96tY3ta1Pg6DQz1mzYsjj5kGwZmXpdm3OS-xuQticQQxY50zcUyD596nNwyYux27SER0W72MnlMlS/s1600-h/ivarcloset.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316297926765577698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5rHRGemB3Ku1NR_wajVbNq37rOpwQcxYyy1E9TkPm5e7R-ZwGqecpKoXRvdIgHh96tY3ta1Pg6DQz1mzYsjj5kGwZmXpdm3OS-xuQticQQxY50zcUyD596nNwyYux27SER0W72MnlMlS/s400/ivarcloset.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlE10Cai_dIOBll8lzhcZAuzviS-4M8cQGX55F_GTuT1VU87_B1r1ZSAVZ9ARsmNvTb9b7ohACcdFNMn2YDO7qcoE3mll5WLENNGUKT76wkK-LfR3Fk7eFoBXPzSNcp_jt8CQlWKP3kPX/s1600-h/ivarinside.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316298036041949746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlE10Cai_dIOBll8lzhcZAuzviS-4M8cQGX55F_GTuT1VU87_B1r1ZSAVZ9ARsmNvTb9b7ohACcdFNMn2YDO7qcoE3mll5WLENNGUKT76wkK-LfR3Fk7eFoBXPzSNcp_jt8CQlWKP3kPX/s400/ivarinside.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> Save your rug Laura recycled an old towel to replace the worn rubber backing on her old <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00122662" target="_blank">Ikea rug</a>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekt4MY-pAju9ofsQa1OpDREtv0tko57CxBEgUR0IjqSR48plTUCkX166DBoOQdEhOfBLt8_m76kQfp7y6R-bIXBhe3eA9XMl_7AKELiAzfY_L_0gA6Vz5o-ZamqkOrPcaiimxSHJrdmsU/s1600-h/rug3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332606499806600818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekt4MY-pAju9ofsQa1OpDREtv0tko57CxBEgUR0IjqSR48plTUCkX166DBoOQdEhOfBLt8_m76kQfp7y6R-bIXBhe3eA9XMl_7AKELiAzfY_L_0gA6Vz5o-ZamqkOrPcaiimxSHJrdmsU/s400/rug3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4QikMfSeXPKHQzAi1luWTybCXDq5PbWd4VbCXg73yqLG1Jzh43ElOYFy7cSAWZK9g8ZxHvj2ql9zZHNLt01txAAJ6ExAeCCLdyO4HDLdST3qktwVhP2-9SqTXP1dnvqec_LIcAfcy8_P/s1600-h/rug2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332606500982441618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4QikMfSeXPKHQzAi1luWTybCXDq5PbWd4VbCXg73yqLG1Jzh43ElOYFy7cSAWZK9g8ZxHvj2ql9zZHNLt01txAAJ6ExAeCCLdyO4HDLdST3qktwVhP2-9SqTXP1dnvqec_LIcAfcy8_P/s400/rug2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSy4lRu8jBMOC1v-IUvNilqI7lj7ataMG34JtrB0au_oO0z_a1kekvN02YrgZFC-_ufRpw-Z8Y3AB3oeiOBUOzoSKUAFYcnBR2FPhqZraZ71mM_dTALO0yteMpHN28RvTE5mYESlvgtkh/s1600-h/rug1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332606503484915218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSy4lRu8jBMOC1v-IUvNilqI7lj7ataMG34JtrB0au_oO0z_a1kekvN02YrgZFC-_ufRpw-Z8Y3AB3oeiOBUOzoSKUAFYcnBR2FPhqZraZ71mM_dTALO0yteMpHN28RvTE5mYESlvgtkh/s400/rug1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> See more <a href="http://theklubb.blogspot.com/2009/04/while-downstairs-bathroom-project-is-on.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Easy headboard Gr�cia, from Spain, says, "My dad, Santiago just hung an Ikea <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50106773" target="_blank">Vika Byske</a> table top to work as our headboard. We gave it a coat of varnish and attached some <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60074192" target="_blank">Numerar</a> legs to it since we were worried the wall wouldn't be able to hold such a heavy table top. It's a beautiful headboard, the perfect size for our mattress." <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqymhdFoUnFc4ueMoHZgYpDL8wDphRkO7bMEegqwQ5yENtj5WPsc7VYcWa6rI2G0RuEYA3ncKmRFCvDGr69UTyFUYNFyHPD-5u0UkujrYrfPnpSu4qIDUPIA54Y3PpUUzj8OHtlD4LIGU6/s1600-h/2700651061_6ac559be9d.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329662703742212834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqymhdFoUnFc4ueMoHZgYpDL8wDphRkO7bMEegqwQ5yENtj5WPsc7VYcWa6rI2G0RuEYA3ncKmRFCvDGr69UTyFUYNFyHPD-5u0UkujrYrfPnpSu4qIDUPIA54Y3PpUUzj8OHtlD4LIGU6/s400/2700651061_6ac559be9d.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>

Hackeas: Easy fixes

Jonas gets pretty Paula adds her touch to the Jonas computer table , via the magic of a black Sharpie. Laptop stand and desk unclutterer Ric...

Malm chest turned entry way storage

Joy bought the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50106495" target="_blank">Malm storage</a> unit thinking that she could use it for a night stand. But after moving, she realized that she had no use for it but did not want to part with it. So she turns it into a catch-all entryway storage unit instead. Here's what she did: 1. I took the top off and removed the two tracks that it ran on. 2. I attached legs from an old <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40104270" target="_blank">Lack</a> side table. 3. Attached the old tracks to the long side of the unit so that a door could be attached to slide sideways. I would recommend putting the tracks at the edge of the side instead of the middle because my sliding door can only open to a certain point forcing me to reach in blindly to the right corner of the unit. Not a biggie though. 4. The front door is made out of plexiglass sprayed with frosted glass spray paint. 5. I bought one 1/8 x 2 inch ply wood piece and made a cut the wood to make a border around the plexiglass attached with wood glue and screws. 6. Bought a nice handle from Home Depot and attached it to the wood on the front for easier access to slide the door. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ofh0pOv49zDk3J7D6-QyAkwNS_D8xbq5es0c3Vrrl7drXjNJmDX2yHlgaILKVBGpMlIP7OIU7Zh9fN9wywMmaiIwwP2Yprr_wIAL1nOTje3LaR0kZaVlwXyLfm9r58jVgicSxLOn1vNy/s1600-h/DSC02202.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324823843771271554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ofh0pOv49zDk3J7D6-QyAkwNS_D8xbq5es0c3Vrrl7drXjNJmDX2yHlgaILKVBGpMlIP7OIU7Zh9fN9wywMmaiIwwP2Yprr_wIAL1nOTje3LaR0kZaVlwXyLfm9r58jVgicSxLOn1vNy/s400/DSC02202.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvLgKqBzjYjF_SZUPeIrq8QTiq-2sqhC4NJTHpznH7mo67xItrbqEE4Q9Iw7QxDmqb0z_okmrcfbEDaVgKLTouTU0GGTZWoHJCQdLOQ75pjz005v7fXBjkJzdxEKjNHS1s_nyUyVYRSz5/s1600-h/DSC02204.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324823844819767394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvLgKqBzjYjF_SZUPeIrq8QTiq-2sqhC4NJTHpznH7mo67xItrbqEE4Q9Iw7QxDmqb0z_okmrcfbEDaVgKLTouTU0GGTZWoHJCQdLOQ75pjz005v7fXBjkJzdxEKjNHS1s_nyUyVYRSz5/s400/DSC02204.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> "It tucks all of my household tools away and became a good landing spot for my mail. It's not the sturdiest thing in the world because the base of the legs aren't very wide but before becoming an entry way storage, it was sturdy enough to be a bookcase that held my 23" flat screen on top."

Malm chest turned entry way storage

Joy bought the Malm storage unit thinking that she could use it for a night stand. But after moving, she realized that she had no use for i...

Good vibrations Lack table

I laughed out loud when I received this hack from <a href="http://www.timgtaylor.com/" target="_blank">Tim</a>, an artist. He says, "It's an art work I made a few years ago that would surely come within the scope of an Ikea Hack. It is titled: 'Good Vibrations'. Materials: one Lack side-table top, four 'ultra-smooth lite-up multi-speed stimulators', one book 'Great Railway Journeys of the World'. The <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40104270" target="_blank">Lack</a> table top proved ideal due to its lightweight but deep construction. The table was intended to vibrate slowly around the gallery floor but more powerful legs would have been required for this. It tended to vibrate loudly on the spot, sounding a little like a light aircraft about to take off. Sometime in the future I plan to make an up-market version using gold 'stimulators' and black/brown Lack top. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvcLvWP1_UP15w6nHW3MMXccWMGU_0GEwwMyR_DrOkhdWm-cWooIakFQIX3dXxUAe_fIWp_IWzUYPr07Pu0YTqtUQzA9y1aA2TExa11JNqO03dT6qy8zFKZegYY954cm7NkZIICVYbkap/s1600-h/tt_goodvibrations.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322263795499595842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvcLvWP1_UP15w6nHW3MMXccWMGU_0GEwwMyR_DrOkhdWm-cWooIakFQIX3dXxUAe_fIWp_IWzUYPr07Pu0YTqtUQzA9y1aA2TExa11JNqO03dT6qy8zFKZegYY954cm7NkZIICVYbkap/s400/tt_goodvibrations.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 283px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> See more <a href="http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/timtaylor/work/vibrations.htm" target="_blank">here</a>.

Good vibrations Lack table

I laughed out loud when I received this hack from Tim , an artist. He says, "It's an art work I made a few years ago that would sur...

Alve drawer with cable box top

Elie modifies an Alve Drawer unit modified to accommodate her cable box. She says, "We needed a place to keep files and were limited in terms of space. <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50089212">Alve</a> fit the bill but not our style. I sanded and painted in a high gloss black and had my contractor, Geronimo, build me cover and make a drop down door to conceal the cable box." The <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00084684" target="_blank">Korrekt</a> handles were added to complete the look. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLreYMXKjtYC12mhRH2gYpJxGbdlldKl90Q-m-VQnhpLYARex6uI-K2alhKsXE3YJuBcwjFCUVyn0VbKVtPPZOmKZwxDSo6bQzgNDO-uY10i6F84Ve0AT7-jbckmfTFEEUdV6WQ2vCX9j/s1600-h/P8187623.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322266555167810450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLreYMXKjtYC12mhRH2gYpJxGbdlldKl90Q-m-VQnhpLYARex6uI-K2alhKsXE3YJuBcwjFCUVyn0VbKVtPPZOmKZwxDSo6bQzgNDO-uY10i6F84Ve0AT7-jbckmfTFEEUdV6WQ2vCX9j/s400/P8187623.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uEYP5qzmpW1N6Cl80D551FaNzszACiT1mPeyWcSJQbJHx31Q2Eg3tYenx_ynbuZGQE9Zmwu1xnBttnpz7BfgyV2lX-eBOmml4qapQNOFBRoQWHHDGsqfZrRCGq7GLkJ1F_xt9dgSLhdD/s1600-h/P8187626.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322266559017592914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uEYP5qzmpW1N6Cl80D551FaNzszACiT1mPeyWcSJQbJHx31Q2Eg3tYenx_ynbuZGQE9Zmwu1xnBttnpz7BfgyV2lX-eBOmml4qapQNOFBRoQWHHDGsqfZrRCGq7GLkJ1F_xt9dgSLhdD/s400/P8187626.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a>

Alve drawer with cable box top

Elie modifies an Alve Drawer unit modified to accommodate her cable box. She says, "We needed a place to keep files and were limited in...

Decorating with Lord of the Rings

I am a huge LOTR fan but apparently not as huge a fan as these two ladies, who have taken pains to bring a little Elven magic into their homes. Me? I just to bring <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GgSdiX0kDI" target="_blank">Aragorn</a> home. Elven themed dressing table Khaythora completes her "Lord of the Rings" dressing table with a few Rast chests and curtain hold backs. She says, "It was made with two cheap and cheerful <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/75305709" target="_blank">Rast chest of drawers</a>. I have to say that the theme of the bedroom (still not quite finished, ahem) is LOTR Elven(ish), hence all the powdery colours and the mirrors. The colour on the wall is potter's clay' and the fabrics for draperies, etc are silvery silks. Anyway, so we put the chest of drawers together and then cut a sturdy piece of wood into size for the table top. Of course, we needed something on top of that. After some searching around I came across pieces that are meant as curtain hold back (to be screwed into the wall, not found on Ikea website) and with glue and screws and pieces of wood we turned them round and put them onto the table top and underneath the second tier. Then a lot of filler, sanding and painting, and new handles/knobs for the chests of drawers, and we had the first version of the dressing table. As you can see in the photo (version 1, below) the walls weren't decorated yet and the mirror was missing. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIt4ypMk1sALgXmpoqdyO2g2xD-Mof7vX3y-45tXBvYs1vWE2RarSBfuPan3fQKwVdrD_-pIyOXvuv_eBDIW_we1Nc1zdQalV_CJ3dfoetguVb8P8Bn2LN-DlOoaf9XU9IFiqKgRyxA9Zk/s1600-h/khaythora-rast-hack-version1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324821393856048866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIt4ypMk1sALgXmpoqdyO2g2xD-Mof7vX3y-45tXBvYs1vWE2RarSBfuPan3fQKwVdrD_-pIyOXvuv_eBDIW_we1Nc1zdQalV_CJ3dfoetguVb8P8Bn2LN-DlOoaf9XU9IFiqKgRyxA9Zk/s400/khaythora-rast-hack-version1.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 299px;" /></a></div>However, I then found the Venetian dressing table mirror, and suddenly the whole dressing table wasn't tall enough anymore. It needed a third tier. With more wood and another set of curtain hold backs we set onto building that as well, and with more paint it was all finally finished. The photo of version 2 below is the final version as it is today. By the way, the (painted) stool is from Ikea as well. They don't sell it anymore, I think." <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72GEIemrg1IpC9ol6mNvoMHt2xo3EZGGR17oemA2TgL3XWMs2-8s6eusty5hvQ9DyqEyfEVSMmPfoXGkw_ZgowxTtdb38PG5LGm2h9MMDyiehUfWnrZy1MG3D1hAuZjo8YJ7oB1n0PHTW/s1600-h/khaythora-rast-hack-version2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324821400012835250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72GEIemrg1IpC9ol6mNvoMHt2xo3EZGGR17oemA2TgL3XWMs2-8s6eusty5hvQ9DyqEyfEVSMmPfoXGkw_ZgowxTtdb38PG5LGm2h9MMDyiehUfWnrZy1MG3D1hAuZjo8YJ7oB1n0PHTW/s400/khaythora-rast-hack-version2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> Craft cabinet with pull down worktop Luthien designs a craft cabinet from scratch with various Ikea pieces and embellishes it LOTR style. What's brilliant about this cabinet is that the doors open downwards to provide a worktop. <div style="text-align: left;">The huge cabinet is constructed from 4 large shelves (<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40154316" target="_blank">Broder</a> L79 cm x W36.5 cm) for the 2 front doors and the back panels. The smaller inserts inside are 6 smaller pieces (<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/46693309" target="_blank">Fabian</a> L70 cm x W24 cm). The cabinet is then given a faux stone finish and her real name in Elvish. </div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5viKrAA9atvYRcsfypB7rL8AAkM4Ss3YyJrqWmftHty1MzsMm6Tn12CldrIi98a3FQ95W2xyGWxBPaXolYB9an2XqAubx-ojBWZRGNVrGdiJYfTU1eME8f9fLW9mJlD3bdTQ4YxcIXKE/s1600-h/cab+0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5viKrAA9atvYRcsfypB7rL8AAkM4Ss3YyJrqWmftHty1MzsMm6Tn12CldrIi98a3FQ95W2xyGWxBPaXolYB9an2XqAubx-ojBWZRGNVrGdiJYfTU1eME8f9fLW9mJlD3bdTQ4YxcIXKE/s400/cab+0.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQ4puAT-e_JWHZan8arO6Tr18KCtb0ZEfCStWOdIkzp1_gBc43KjDvtqupmmWHTz9FnkPODUlLyO-_OlqhDTV_VYAIem9XLRzAa8iYSPTovs5Ae4gxW6ZhfPdQ7W-TgxPorMVCxyonnw/s1600-h/cab+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQ4puAT-e_JWHZan8arO6Tr18KCtb0ZEfCStWOdIkzp1_gBc43KjDvtqupmmWHTz9FnkPODUlLyO-_OlqhDTV_VYAIem9XLRzAa8iYSPTovs5Ae4gxW6ZhfPdQ7W-TgxPorMVCxyonnw/s400/cab+4.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeDbVBeXx8pr9dlcM9tmMOyuQfSyzbYzPIOlfgP2PmjC2MeNwQhXv85LbJCJ-f0mWaFw5JFjGtdP58oBPN1onf54iqKpC2cDMDgkyTKUrb5ETUZbJyiEikxFB7bOh4hJIt_48o41e2Mo/s1600-h/cab+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeDbVBeXx8pr9dlcM9tmMOyuQfSyzbYzPIOlfgP2PmjC2MeNwQhXv85LbJCJ-f0mWaFw5JFjGtdP58oBPN1onf54iqKpC2cDMDgkyTKUrb5ETUZbJyiEikxFB7bOh4hJIt_48o41e2Mo/s400/cab+5.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTXHBj_mDyxmG2GZsZherb1uVrgH1XfhEQjJFxyPsKwlT0zhJA8bLLNIXCmr2wbWtFSUnnS28j5UV-DWQ5drwcKR1KeSgze3-UqetC04ofVl716xzgKP-74Wf2TmHXk1qlZuD7WAToNI/s1600-h/DSC00248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTXHBj_mDyxmG2GZsZherb1uVrgH1XfhEQjJFxyPsKwlT0zhJA8bLLNIXCmr2wbWtFSUnnS28j5UV-DWQ5drwcKR1KeSgze3-UqetC04ofVl716xzgKP-74Wf2TmHXk1qlZuD7WAToNI/s400/DSC00248.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthdnRd5XAs_ewjQNOxHU9HmB9WzZnwW2gFh7RnPUYL1EphIucHeHV2YBEzHKPBS5eqjPRfXr-PjD743kHIc1lf8IrQQWprku9-qoJaj1l4xqZn5KIDqYQC2sKYi2gI8J9P3qPs2jTE_Q/s1600-h/DSC01827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthdnRd5XAs_ewjQNOxHU9HmB9WzZnwW2gFh7RnPUYL1EphIucHeHV2YBEzHKPBS5eqjPRfXr-PjD743kHIc1lf8IrQQWprku9-qoJaj1l4xqZn5KIDqYQC2sKYi2gI8J9P3qPs2jTE_Q/s400/DSC01827.JPG" /></a></div> See more of Luthien's <a>faux stone finish</a>.

Decorating with Lord of the Rings

I am a huge LOTR fan but apparently not as huge a fan as these two ladies, who have taken pains to bring a little Elven magic into their hom...

It may be slim but it has lots of storage

Mark has this great looking slim desk hacked from the Akurum kitchen cabinet range. He says, "It's an implementation of <a href="http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2007/08/cook-up-work-at-home-desk.html" target="_blank">this hack</a>, with additional low cabinets and an extra workspace: This thin desk allows us to use a guest bedroom as a home office and provided plenty of storage. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvWAiwE-cL3EmoriLrBft6YJhu8mWU8xb7Y46lz8YWiACGeKgNbzdXqsrPdklGTvZWaWCunpP6QdCHFZOtkInyzPLfLU-wNqY7GsMJ5klTQ0S5fpP6tE3T_XFyqh9QfTsL3MrgKKExycb/s1600-h/desk_2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322897886154976130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvWAiwE-cL3EmoriLrBft6YJhu8mWU8xb7Y46lz8YWiACGeKgNbzdXqsrPdklGTvZWaWCunpP6QdCHFZOtkInyzPLfLU-wNqY7GsMJ5klTQ0S5fpP6tE3T_XFyqh9QfTsL3MrgKKExycb/s400/desk_2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcNFEprLivyjHbWdyn9lLulxXkk0SjgpKFA19INbgg7NPjX2jf332qUcd28Sj_dWVrQx_kQlNRV2nO0TsOOOFhYeEfFbXK9jszY_OyLxj4bLTLtnk2F1gtTC_jb54tEoIY2eNt_NrN-Y/s1600-h/desk_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcNFEprLivyjHbWdyn9lLulxXkk0SjgpKFA19INbgg7NPjX2jf332qUcd28Sj_dWVrQx_kQlNRV2nO0TsOOOFhYeEfFbXK9jszY_OyLxj4bLTLtnk2F1gtTC_jb54tEoIY2eNt_NrN-Y/s400/desk_1.jpg" /></a></div> Each workstation on the desk was composed of 1 39" <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S49811791" target="_blank">wall cabinet</a>, and a <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60105301" target="_blank">Vika Kaj</a> leg. We also secured it to the wall using a simple "L" bracket. We used some felt covered feet to raise it off of the floor a few inches. The desk tops were somewhat of a wood working project: 1" poplar joined and stained. We also made keyboard shelves and mounted them with glides purchased at the hardware store (They are Blum brand, which I believe Ikea uses them in their kitchen cabinets). Then we attached the wall cabinets to 2 "<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S69811889" target="_blank">over the refrigerator cabinets</a>", set on <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20049538" target="_blank">Capita</a> legs."

It may be slim but it has lots of storage

Mark has this great looking slim desk hacked from the Akurum kitchen cabinet range. He says, "It's an implementation of this hack ,...

Media stand that hides the uglies

Dan gets inspired by the <a href="http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2007/06/vintage-entertainment-center.html" target="_blank">vintage media center</a> and hacks one of his own. He says, "I recently moved into a new place with an old friend who happens to have even bigger TV than I do (oh no!). So that big bad goes in the living room, and I need to figure out how to fit this 40 inch Bravia in my room with some clean style, and how to get it not looking too much like living room equipment. The vintage entertainment hack has some nice qualities to it, but seemed higher profile than I wanted and left all the equipment exposed. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeRksorGx4Yn8VVfU4biWvQKLrVNFwzWbGOKfkCUvuPbVgO1Kjah1sWj302bO36ovNo_nhWfyiKqsJA8xj05MLE89diaTl6c1K8e-jKTYCxn20v-QNg_v30v3Mqajbn-5IIVt5pvdOlFs/s1600-h/media1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322987586506628610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeRksorGx4Yn8VVfU4biWvQKLrVNFwzWbGOKfkCUvuPbVgO1Kjah1sWj302bO36ovNo_nhWfyiKqsJA8xj05MLE89diaTl6c1K8e-jKTYCxn20v-QNg_v30v3Mqajbn-5IIVt5pvdOlFs/s400/media1.jpg" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>I decided to go with the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20116274" target="_blank">Expedit</a> (5x1) shelving unit with 6" <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00054564" target="_blank">Capita</a> legs. I also installed <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90115756" target="_blank">cabinets</a> and <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10115760" target="_blank">drawers </a>to conceal the subwoofer, electronics and the HTPC media center. For the media center I left out one of the dividers so there is an extra wide space. I placed that remaining divider at the far end of the unit so there isn't a big gap between the cabinet doors in that extra-wide area. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZlrQi_ulF4AezIHw00WOLArYvnU8qtMl9UFaANCv7yy3sMr0XXb3_TALfZCRen9Z5zOaPrSmIjxCyE8ybx__rmLDUGPfpyzKhFMPaSG8m2U12nRJBQZsv_TAad8QOLZ2Q8i4METhfdfq/s1600-h/media3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322987586908845346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZlrQi_ulF4AezIHw00WOLArYvnU8qtMl9UFaANCv7yy3sMr0XXb3_TALfZCRen9Z5zOaPrSmIjxCyE8ybx__rmLDUGPfpyzKhFMPaSG8m2U12nRJBQZsv_TAad8QOLZ2Q8i4METhfdfq/s400/media3.jpg" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>One issue with this is that I needed/wanted all the cubbies to have open ended backs (the HTPC is 16.5 inches deep). In order to accomplish this and keep things stable, the cabinet doors were only installed with the singe plank they anchor into, and that is screwed into the Expedit wall. It is difficult leveling this type of installation, so be careful, and use one of the existing planks as temporary level platform if need be."

Media stand that hides the uglies

Dan gets inspired by the vintage media center and hacks one of his own. He says, "I recently moved into a new place with an old friend...

Magnetic Ivar blackboard

Here's another from Jeraldine, who earlier gave us the pretty Ingo. She says, "I wanted a blackboard in my kitchen to quickly note shopping ideas. So I decided to paint the door of my Ivar cabinet as a blackboard. At the same time, I thought why not also making it magnetic? So I painted it in two steps: first the magnetic and second the blackboard special paint (not necessarily black) and it�s really great! The magnetic paint can be a bit expensive though." <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9nYNhTMkM7HEvbett9uw1SIhCfNLcmafZ-NOMtZMAHhnx1agDTOuFsHuJIPMaQwFSpFObCWNOIMUv1TliuRDNHS1tEsY6tG0f6kzeLh39j8TU0yS7-lAC6Edi_Ik91fp4b0i2Qf_53iZ/s1600-h/IVAR+Magnetic+blackboard1.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322981612174651506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9nYNhTMkM7HEvbett9uw1SIhCfNLcmafZ-NOMtZMAHhnx1agDTOuFsHuJIPMaQwFSpFObCWNOIMUv1TliuRDNHS1tEsY6tG0f6kzeLh39j8TU0yS7-lAC6Edi_Ik91fp4b0i2Qf_53iZ/s400/IVAR+Magnetic+blackboard1.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 236px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Iw9IfEnYkFKtrywxxXfdBEI6Gxl7cSAnLoRH_oAw66_-1MDW5s8BN1bMsmVInX5JLSMYFrGt-2n6AlUq6w5g-h0nvF3nwXIRvxmPndkDv8pgfMNyT1CEYH9OEQ5xGiQXeam5xzeyrjLp/s1600-h/IVAR+Magnetic+blackboard2.JPG.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322981612826407090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Iw9IfEnYkFKtrywxxXfdBEI6Gxl7cSAnLoRH_oAw66_-1MDW5s8BN1bMsmVInX5JLSMYFrGt-2n6AlUq6w5g-h0nvF3nwXIRvxmPndkDv8pgfMNyT1CEYH9OEQ5xGiQXeam5xzeyrjLp/s400/IVAR+Magnetic+blackboard2.JPG.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 113px;" /></a>

Magnetic Ivar blackboard

Here's another from Jeraldine, who earlier gave us the pretty Ingo. She says, "I wanted a blackboard in my kitchen to quickly note ...

Need some thing to store 43 folders?

It's Jeraldine again, now with a file holder. I like this and can see it working really nicely for my stash of papers and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FGetting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity%2Fdp%2F0142000280%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Dbooks%26qid%3D1241618070%26sr%3D8-1&tag=ikeahacker-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325" target="_blank">GTD</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ikeahacker-20&l=ur2&o=1" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> tickler files. She says, "I had this storage box to which I had added wheels to move it easier. It was previously in a refurbished bathroom to stock towels. At the same time, I had papers that I needed to store and I tried to set up a system to hang my papers in some office files. I bought a thin piece of wood, cut it in 2 to a little bit less than the width of <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20078031" target="_blank">Apa</a>. Cut them the exact breadth and you will be stuck trying to slide them into the groove. Then I filed down both ends of the wood to half its height to allow them to enter in the existing upper track of the Apa wood. I had to file the ends down because using a piece of wood as thin as the groove will not support the weight of the paper files. I installed the pieces of wood according to the breadth of the hanging office files and stored my papers! I�ll paint the storage box in a later stage." <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5JBBGyFrPU0vAOgkjJj6DtKEc4F68f6aGHqs6s_IG2yf2m5OQBCOhB8ZC4Xn-FCkhKuMZ1NgFdMDUEEy80VkWlwMUb9v0JWd9jmkPj6DceWbWSd_BwX4wxJvlKDCDZ5A_ha8H1SYn0gH/s1600-h/apa+storage+box+wood1.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322983903108600818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5JBBGyFrPU0vAOgkjJj6DtKEc4F68f6aGHqs6s_IG2yf2m5OQBCOhB8ZC4Xn-FCkhKuMZ1NgFdMDUEEy80VkWlwMUb9v0JWd9jmkPj6DceWbWSd_BwX4wxJvlKDCDZ5A_ha8H1SYn0gH/s400/apa+storage+box+wood1.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 310px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6uW1QxvagZkDXJHF-AF-UAOhP_keW4gexAgwsYCS7F5shNZSmmcW1OcC8FZjsk7o9Kms5jj-W1eLF5VuVubGGyZyaPqWi9xRhlRnIScQW49gYDE5HliZAFdP-9vYdBLXrBxPcKotWt1r/s1600-h/apa+storage+box+wood2+inside.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322983907769510258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6uW1QxvagZkDXJHF-AF-UAOhP_keW4gexAgwsYCS7F5shNZSmmcW1OcC8FZjsk7o9Kms5jj-W1eLF5VuVubGGyZyaPqWi9xRhlRnIScQW49gYDE5HliZAFdP-9vYdBLXrBxPcKotWt1r/s400/apa+storage+box+wood2+inside.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 293px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>

Need some thing to store 43 folders?

It's Jeraldine again, now with a file holder. I like this and can see it working really nicely for my stash of papers and GTD tickler f...

Ingo Table

Jeraldine pretties up the stoic Ingo coffee table and adds space to it too. She says, "I bought a simple wood table for my living room as I love wood. However, I decided to smart it up a bit. So I painted it in white. I added a pattern with a stencil and grey painting. Then I realised I needed a shelf under it to store some magazines for example. As I had dismounted an old Ivar furniture, I took one of the plank, sewed it to size, painted it. I marked the height at which I wanted the plank and drilled four holes in each leg. I pushed in them the small pieces of steel usually used to make Ivar planks stand and installed the extra shelf under my table." <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfqi7FJK5JO1SaPdd4cJptawo1AcXU0LASLksz_EcbjBMKIifRypZb6Nf4OoX0hML-O5tASByWFPR07bDMazo86fNVgY2JcBz8CvsVGnPmSbQzmIOe5H4ClUO5AXpXDT69U8uoVqxGXn6/s1600-h/small+table1.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322905057977831842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnfqi7FJK5JO1SaPdd4cJptawo1AcXU0LASLksz_EcbjBMKIifRypZb6Nf4OoX0hML-O5tASByWFPR07bDMazo86fNVgY2JcBz8CvsVGnPmSbQzmIOe5H4ClUO5AXpXDT69U8uoVqxGXn6/s400/small+table1.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 307px;" /></a>

Ingo Table

Jeraldine pretties up the stoic Ingo coffee table and adds space to it too. She says, "I bought a simple wood table for my living room ...

The bone box

Derrik has a collection of about 40 x-rays and for the longest time wanted to build a light table for them. He says, "As it happens, I needed a coffee table and the Ramvik design looked perfect for what I wanted to do. With the help of a friend, we cut and routed a big hole into the table top and wired together some florescent lighting. The drawers don't function as such and are only there so the housing has sides. I managed to get the piece of acrylic (through which the light pours) for about $30." <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhbAh0VrEAbbhbgz5v-C9Vc8Lc6c_vi1CICdIanRQFMkgsV_3yEx9W1_LTCE4jKp3O-4mpuAIWghSMjpE-uQRixsGoXn9sgqPkThd287XdvBvEEEFFzVj1PSUtr5UFn2hi_LWsReczqDF/s1600-h/BoneBox.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322903695638612498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhbAh0VrEAbbhbgz5v-C9Vc8Lc6c_vi1CICdIanRQFMkgsV_3yEx9W1_LTCE4jKp3O-4mpuAIWghSMjpE-uQRixsGoXn9sgqPkThd287XdvBvEEEFFzVj1PSUtr5UFn2hi_LWsReczqDF/s400/BoneBox.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDWI0Fz01RFXfou97G_kAu8MtXZDxE69oLCvuMEdY8rpS6c1TxC45VZC1uuvqFBmaLrhJbv9Z159TMX2xyvlwXYo1FT3ZH4cPj2Eq7b6pIqHB57XW6hyxP_b2CRSWLjDZKUordjCaDGEh/s1600-h/Nightbones.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322903693569282546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDWI0Fz01RFXfou97G_kAu8MtXZDxE69oLCvuMEdY8rpS6c1TxC45VZC1uuvqFBmaLrhJbv9Z159TMX2xyvlwXYo1FT3ZH4cPj2Eq7b6pIqHB57XW6hyxP_b2CRSWLjDZKUordjCaDGEh/s400/Nightbones.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>

The bone box

Derrik has a collection of about 40 x-rays and for the longest time wanted to build a light table for them. He says, "As it happens, I ...

Patchwork armchair

<a href="http://minouette.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Ele</a> does a pretty patchwork cover for her <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80106253" target="_blank">Tullsta</a>. She says, "I re-upholstered it with a patchwork of fabrics including several with lino block I printed myself. I also painted the scuffed legs white. I cut off the fabric and used it to make a pattern. I re-used the zipper for the cushion and then trashed it as it was neither nice nor clean. I used a combination of new fabric, thrifted fabrics (corduroy, cotton, upholstery, an old pair of pants and a men's shirt etc.) and block printed fabrics. I used lino block prints of the oudjat eyes, radiolarians, jellyfish, frog & lily pad, koi, seahorse, walrus, dragon and blue whales. I also used one old screen print of the sun." <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39TFBgoiUQV2kNYybxqDiJx_-nZ0GHWYsZCmyDR47OQmIeFL5SXbJQWwbvF4RP7NbZYPXhR2fL7RFzSV853nRk5geV8zF18mwbnvV6soLiQh6v-YSl4aOBTxOaICYZQw50gkMQKG7CDuv/s1600-h/2793516481_f00c16283f.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322901927236160610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39TFBgoiUQV2kNYybxqDiJx_-nZ0GHWYsZCmyDR47OQmIeFL5SXbJQWwbvF4RP7NbZYPXhR2fL7RFzSV853nRk5geV8zF18mwbnvV6soLiQh6v-YSl4aOBTxOaICYZQw50gkMQKG7CDuv/s400/2793516481_f00c16283f.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSkn_7V2_VRwpZ24-fXV1hGHb4U2wXJ5uSoJwunfePwBCOrJMR4zs6gooCEyTaxqX9DQthGdhjqQcXQr8_QxYWlVn_BRo9HbOurfLV3f0CjutulSxCAlFxs7j1ilMNWqGLZk_UYBea_mR/s1600-h/2794372846_4e16a4345d.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322901924912742786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSkn_7V2_VRwpZ24-fXV1hGHb4U2wXJ5uSoJwunfePwBCOrJMR4zs6gooCEyTaxqX9DQthGdhjqQcXQr8_QxYWlVn_BRo9HbOurfLV3f0CjutulSxCAlFxs7j1ilMNWqGLZk_UYBea_mR/s400/2794372846_4e16a4345d.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> See more pictures of her <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22611996@N02/2793516481/in/set-72157605043012003/" target="_blank">patchwork armchair</a>. <div style="text-align: center;">***</div>Just wanted to thank Erin Scottberg of Lemondrop for her story on Ikea hacks. Her article picked 12 cheap and easy hacks from this site to show non-Ikea hackers what can be done. Is your hack one of them? Check out her article <a href="http://www.lemondrop.com/2009/04/24/cheap-and-easy-ikea-hacks/" target="_blank">here</a>.

Patchwork armchair

Ele does a pretty patchwork cover for her Tullsta . She says, "I re-upholstered it with a patchwork of fabrics including several with ...

Steampunking Ivar cabinets

Andrea runs a blog that features steampunking, which seeks to "combine the past and the future in an aesthetic pleasing yet still punkish way". Here is one entry from Rafael. It is a little hack of <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40033763" target="_blank">Ivar cabinet doors</a> in steampunk mod style. The doors that are sanded, stained, coated to allow the wood grains to shine through. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BGvq8w8_vdt0GJNSCz03C2GPxdeCfM-P1wp_GduymF3Du9oCy5OSPS4XxZZAWmBs_M3dOZdf4VPFqfuvlFdJsO5rYn1dPBfqogcmIOZTrmsf2XQOUvB6e6dt-EYVZVxe1b1fQm20S569/s1600-h/Unfinished+Ikea+Ivar+doors+a-750465.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322274964979980978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BGvq8w8_vdt0GJNSCz03C2GPxdeCfM-P1wp_GduymF3Du9oCy5OSPS4XxZZAWmBs_M3dOZdf4VPFqfuvlFdJsO5rYn1dPBfqogcmIOZTrmsf2XQOUvB6e6dt-EYVZVxe1b1fQm20S569/s400/Unfinished+Ikea+Ivar+doors+a-750465.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVJ7PNKRF6ziyaTaGd8skJYrocIJKQQr0mPWzgAutwQdw-IQhP0WRIllqQq5m-6lWeY39SSB4VijYzvihfykgqT8xfAksQ6gCuv3tYdilNd4ygw0-Tu05gj5ie9PAf1p-geAjKVFHCD63/s1600-h/Projected+Doors+a-751151.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322274979061752034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVJ7PNKRF6ziyaTaGd8skJYrocIJKQQr0mPWzgAutwQdw-IQhP0WRIllqQq5m-6lWeY39SSB4VijYzvihfykgqT8xfAksQ6gCuv3tYdilNd4ygw0-Tu05gj5ie9PAf1p-geAjKVFHCD63/s400/Projected+Doors+a-751151.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 215px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmpxD547lhY1YjwwZn9h7EO7-P-moaPU12prsJI2RaQy3mEF9fVKaKlKDmoSttG01AdmoGPhkKQPO0RjdEkuTgMFPaXZnITjnpawO1QBQw7kNDEJ9UXJxJc7yvmlnPJYwC7NXVTVYVdpV/s1600-h/SDC10320.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322274989717860866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmpxD547lhY1YjwwZn9h7EO7-P-moaPU12prsJI2RaQy3mEF9fVKaKlKDmoSttG01AdmoGPhkKQPO0RjdEkuTgMFPaXZnITjnpawO1QBQw7kNDEJ9UXJxJc7yvmlnPJYwC7NXVTVYVdpV/s400/SDC10320.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a> See more of <a href="http://thesteampunkhome.blogspot.com/2008/08/steampunking-ikea-cabinets.html" target="_blank">Ivar steampunking</a>.

Steampunking Ivar cabinets

Andrea runs a blog that features steampunking, which seeks to "combine the past and the future in an aesthetic pleasing yet still punki...

Fliso's new breezy look

H�lsningar! Barbro from Uppsala Sweden gives the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00143344">Flis�</a> parasol a breezy new fabric. Great for the summer, when you'll want something more cheery than the Fliso's original black or red. "I just took the old fabric away and made a new one in the same size.  5 meters of the new fabric. There are some plastic holders in the corners. I reused them. About an hour's work." <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE21wWofylFHX3sxokkUf_UaUiVfoe17_xWR4MIhV9cH-GkGXSHgAutPPiPJSkBF4NL5S66vFwIXnVU_HP9eyP62IpofY28iKyYjDPURfraV_DYubsBOKl0Ku50BFIz5MQSzTaEpTRL2kK/s1600-h/spetsparasoll.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322262402675955954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE21wWofylFHX3sxokkUf_UaUiVfoe17_xWR4MIhV9cH-GkGXSHgAutPPiPJSkBF4NL5S66vFwIXnVU_HP9eyP62IpofY28iKyYjDPURfraV_DYubsBOKl0Ku50BFIz5MQSzTaEpTRL2kK/s400/spetsparasoll.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 267px;" /></a>

Fliso's new breezy look

H�lsningar! Barbro from Uppsala Sweden gives the Flis� parasol a breezy new fabric. Great for the summer, when you'll want something mo...

The zen of laptop desks

I'm loving what Siew Lian did to the Babord shoe rack. Perfect for sitting cross legged while sipping green tea. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtVCGW_1BxOBqwYiv5q47sGHBymklFpy3PF56XiSjczDNcHFdzASO9AEjUq2xhteufG6hUp5y2aMD04GQdLvIziH_7gMXUWQQ1grldlHQ8B2418HDyoqaNaKuqWoE6NOzF7LnHPIxE6np/s1600-h/DSC_2616.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319353945358670754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtVCGW_1BxOBqwYiv5q47sGHBymklFpy3PF56XiSjczDNcHFdzASO9AEjUq2xhteufG6hUp5y2aMD04GQdLvIziH_7gMXUWQQ1grldlHQ8B2418HDyoqaNaKuqWoE6NOzF7LnHPIxE6np/s400/DSC_2616.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 280px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> She says, "My husband recently began working a lot at home, displacing me from the desk and PC. Forced to use the laptop for longer periods, I started to look for a laptop desk. I had given away my nice pine Ikea breakfast tray with foldaway legs and couldn't find it again in the store, and the Bagn breakfast tray is too flimsy. I was considering the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30045016" target="_blank">Benjamin stool</a> hack, but decided against it due to the stool's price in Malaysia (RM59 which is about US$17 but probably equivalent to maybe US$40-50) and the fact that it couldn't be folded flat. Then I remembered I had hoarded away a couple of <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/68270509" target="_blank">Babord shoe racks</a> (about RM10 or US$3 each) to use as shelf inserts and decided to make a laptop tray out of one. I used one of the rack's two shelves for the tray itself, and the other shelf to make the legs. I sawed both ends off the shelf at a height of about 15cm for the tray legs. The ends are best for the legs, because they're held together by the dowel rod running through the slats. I used one of the slats from the remainder of the shelf to reinforce the bottoms of the legs. Then I sawed eight small blocks off the Babord legs to insert into the spaces between the slats of both the tray shelf and the tray legs. (Saw the Babord legs to fit the width of the gaps between the slats, and the block will not extrude from the top or the bottom of the shelf or legs.) A bit of glue and some nails later, the three pieces were ready to assemble with small hinges. (I bought some nice brass-finished ones from Ace hardware) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUgCZ-icuCpcbc_Gb3ZDuSFMoeHMCCepheDz7Wo6gUdLwHvQay4chczUaZ-0vj9b1z5OXXmYUQGLnD_cmp5wHvGoT5JrRwu8qr2fo0U6-H64cfoGdux5sf1Y491ugFTBAdqnrUKbqK4k/s1600-h/DSC_2621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUgCZ-icuCpcbc_Gb3ZDuSFMoeHMCCepheDz7Wo6gUdLwHvQay4chczUaZ-0vj9b1z5OXXmYUQGLnD_cmp5wHvGoT5JrRwu8qr2fo0U6-H64cfoGdux5sf1Y491ugFTBAdqnrUKbqK4k/s400/DSC_2621.JPG" /></a></div> Tip: Don't attach the legs square to the tray because it will tend to collapse to either side. Instead, the horizontal top edge of each leg should extrude from the side edge of the tray by one centimetre or so, so the legs when open are at an angle to the tray. This way when you use it, the legs are "wedged" open. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOsfJgm9OII0gQj127trlAaYKkDmsMt_NysOd9wd8Fu9U5HPAGZlt-G7T4UUHsujwRv0LgQZdkrGRECn21RBZBDt_XHfd-x3XvYV5ABXlGOnBZR_O7qYhSEyR8He6tmOhfko_20mVjNZa/s1600-h/DSC_2622.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319353946782228274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOsfJgm9OII0gQj127trlAaYKkDmsMt_NysOd9wd8Fu9U5HPAGZlt-G7T4UUHsujwRv0LgQZdkrGRECn21RBZBDt_XHfd-x3XvYV5ABXlGOnBZR_O7qYhSEyR8He6tmOhfko_20mVjNZa/s400/DSC_2622.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 285px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> Another tip: Round off the long side edge of the tray. It's not splinters, just that the square edge can be tough on the under side of your wrists. I was a bit worried the laptop might tip over when I move so I got a bit of braid, looped it around the dowel rods and ran it through a drawstring cord lock. (This might have been unnecessary, the laptop's rubber pads sit in the gaps between the slats, and the weight of the laptop has kept it firmly on the tray. And don't close your laptop with the braid holding it -- it could break the laptop hinges). What I love about it is its length. I've always found other shorter trays a little constricting after a lengthy period. Now I can sit (cross-legged even) on the sofa and surf!" Related hacks: - <a href="http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2007/06/need-laptop-desk-diy-your-own-stand.html" target="_blank">Need a laptop desk? DIY your own stand</a> - <a href="http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2009/02/hack-floating-laptop-table.html" target="_blank">Hack a floating laptop table</a> - <a href="http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/2008/12/tv-shelf-with-door-stoppers-for-legs.html" target="_blank">Door stoppers for computer shelf</a>

The zen of laptop desks

I'm loving what Siew Lian did to the Babord shoe rack. Perfect for sitting cross legged while sipping green tea. She says, "My husb...