Childhood Nightstand Goes Mid-Century

Materials: Ikea nightstand (Rast), saw, Watco Danish Oil, 4 table legs, 4 angled top plates with screws, furniture oil, sand paper, tape measure, pencil, screw driver

Description: This little Ikea nightstand has been in our family for 30 years and has been through three kids. By the time it got to me it was covered in water stains, chipped veneer and scribbles. But the bones of it were perfect - a little drawer to hide away ugly things like cellphone chargers and ample room for books, clocks, lamps and knick-knacks.

This project took about a week and is completely doable in a small apartment. They don't sell this exact nightstand anymore but you can get the same effect using the Ikea Rast Nightstand, minus the drawer.

Step 1: With all the pieces disassembled, measure out where you need to cut the sides down. you want the sides and bottom to be flush with each other. Carefully cut off the excess with a saw.

Step 2: If your nightstand is untreated go to step three. If you nightstand is treated, sand it down and get rid of any trace of stain or varnish.

Step 3: Experiment with your Danish Oil on the extra pieces. I went with the Watco Danish Oil in Cherry to bring out the wood grain. Once you are happy with the shade apply to all the pieces (including your table legs) liberally until you are happy with the colour. 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 nightstand and on the underside of the bottom piece, measure and mark out with a pencil where you would like your legs to go. Since these are going to be angled, make sure that the bottom of the leg won't go beyond the dimensions of the table. Attach angle plates with a screw driver and screw in your legs.

Step 5: Give the nightstand a few coats of furniture oil and repeat whenever the wood starts to look dull.

This is a great little project to give a cheap little nightstand a grown-up mid-century feel.

See more of the mid-century night stand.

~ We Are Jules, Vancouver, Canada