Hacker Help: Containers for Markor

Materials: Markor: horizontal piece with 5 across, 2 up/down square openings

Description: I bought the Markor horizontal bookcase (with 10 square openings in a 2x5 formation) a couple years ago, but I never found good containers for it. The squares measure: 13 1/8 high x 13 1/8 wide x 12 5/8 deep (although we could go a little deeper if they hang out the back a little, but I would prefer a good fit).

Anyone done an easy container hack for this? Please share what you've done? Or even if you just have a good idea that you have not done, but think will work. I'm having a total mental block on this and would appreciate the help. Thank you!

P.S. Sorry, I cannot get a good picture because it is in a tight hallway space.

~ Elizabeth, US

Man Cave upgrade

Materials: Markor cabinets, Format Lighting

Description: Using six components from Ikea's Markor line (now discontinued), I designed, modified and built the library/AV center for our home. In all honesty this is part of the Man Cave scene occurring in Canadian and American basements.The modifications were not simple. For example, the upper bridge (from the "As Is" section) was originally the same product as the console base. I replaced the cabinets' feet with adjusted plinths to compensate for the slope in the basement floor. The bookcases (originally four separate pieces) were joined with a custom stained wood crown and lateral inserts. The finished product is illuminated by Format spotlights.

Thanks!

~ Paul Marshall

Turning new tables into vintage farmhouse finds

Materials: MARKOR sofa and side tables

Description: To make my Ikea Markor sofa and side tables have a little more character I decided to distress paint them to take them from new to vintage farmhouse.
1. First lightly sand the tables.
2. Next, paint the table tops in Sherwin Williams Creamy and the legs in a very light blue called Tradewind.
3. Using sand paper lightly sand down the edges exposing the wood underneath. Sand more or less depending on your taste.
4. Lastly, use General Finishes, Van Dyke Brown Glaze Effects to antique the tables. Using a foam brush simply rub on the glaze ensuring you get into all the nooks and crannies, working only in small sections. This is a super fast drying product so you don't want to bite off more than you can. You then want to wipe off all the excess glaze with a dry, clean cloth. You can also use a damp cloth to wipe away even more glaze for an even lighter effect if you desire.

You can't go wrong with this technique. At any point you can start again if you want. Just paint over what you did, sand and apply the glaze again until you get the look you want.

See more of the vintage Markor tables.

~ Carly Robertson, Canada

Markor Handbag Storage

Materials: Markor TV Cabinet, drill, sandpaper, level

Description: After getting rid of our huge tube TV I couldn't let go of my beloved Markor. But with the shelves firmly configured as they are, I had no use for it. So I took out the top shelf and drilled some holes the same depth of the little pins that hold the shelf at a position that seemed perfect for my bags. If you do that you need to be careful to not go any deeper than that, otherwise you come out on the other side of the very thin walls. After I drilled the holes I sanded them down a bit, inserted the metal pins and popped the old shelf back in.
Now my bags are organized and I got to keep Markor.

~ Barbara, Lake in the Hills, IL, USA

Mod, Verner Pantonesque Lamp

Materials: IKEA PS MASKROS, Copic Markers

Description: I loved the IKEA PS MASKROS in the store, but I found it wanting, especially since I am in love with Verner Panton's VP Globe Lamp designed in 1969.

Besides, this lamp offers the perfect opportunity to accent your existing decor in a completely custom way, AND it is easy (although a bit time consuming).

1. Buy the lamp. I was not as impressed with the smaller MASKOS version, something with the proportions seem off, so I strongly suggest going big or going home. Enough said.

Note: I have a very mod, Mid-Century-meets-Pantonia sensibility, and I love color. I used at least three different Copic markers in each of four color families - yellow, orange, pink and purple (or ocre, vermillion, fushia and lavender if you want to get all J. Crew about it).

3. Color your heart out - there are like a million of the little tyvek "flowers" on this lamp, so expect it to take awhile, also, I used the marker on both sides to give the lamp a more finished look.

4. Voila!

Now I don't mean to toot my own horn here, but I recently had all the furnishings and items in my loft appraised (total nightmare of a divorce), and the appraiser who has quite the impressive pedigree priced the lamp at $1,500. It has been, by far the highlight of the whole experience.

~ Darra Bishop, Los Angeles, CA

Suspension Bridge Shelf

Materials: MARKOR series home entertainment combo plus EKBY BJ�RNUM wall shelf bracket; Extra shelves from the "as is" section; castors on the coffee table so the footstool can live underneath

Description: Mounting the bridge shelf to the wall above the TV was proving more difficult than we thought... We came up with an elegant solution without having to drill holes in the wall! Using the EKBY wall shelf brackets mounted to the sides of the MARKOR bookcases as the "towers" the bridge shelf just sits on top. Simple!

We also added extra shelves to the bookcases from the "As Is" section to hold more DVD's and castors to the MARKOR Coffee Table so the KARLANDA footstool can live underneath.

~ Michael and Tim Granados, Edinburgh, Scotland