i spend an unhealthy amount of time stalking mid century furniture on the urban outfitters and west elm websites. there's so many beautiful pieces but i can't afford to buy them all so i wanted to attempt a DIY version of one!
this nightstand is one of the more popular mid century shapes and one of the easiest to build- hurrah. i'll run you through how i put this together, if you're not confident with cutting wood ask a friend or relative for some help (my dad is my go to person for helping me to cut!)
materials:
to make the body of the nightstand you'll need 4 pieces of plywood or pine board.
the dimension of the plywood for this table were 15 x 45cm (x2) for the side pieces and 45 x 45cm (x2) for the top and bottom.
ps. you could easily make a bigger version to use as coffee table!
to attach the side panels to the bottom panel i applied strong wood glue where the panels would meet (flush to the edge as shown above) and hammered some panel pins underneath to secure.
(you could also use wooden dowels as well as glue to join the panels together- tutorial here!)
i just glued the top panel down onto the sides as mine won't be taking any really heavy weight. i left the glue to dry out overnight.
last but not least i added some hairpin legs! i've temporarily borrowed these legs from my wood slice coffee table (the new ones i ordered hadn't arrived at this point!) i just needed to screw them into place with a screwdriver -no drill or pilot holes needed.
remember to use short screws no longer than the depth of the wood or they'll poke through on the other side!
i recently picked up these muji pump refil bottles as i love their clean and simple branding! i wanted to keep the table quite minimal so I've only added a few items- i picked up the wooden hand in madrid, it reminded me of the hay design version that i've had on my wishlist.
i originally intended to stain the wood a deep walnut colour but i kinda like the unfinished look so i may give it a coat of clear varnish instead (..do you think i should stain it darker?)
what do you think- do you love mid century furniture too?
back soon!
caroline x
I love the unfinished look, leave it this colour!
ReplyDeleteVivian | LIVE . IN . LOVE
~
haha ok i will! thanks vivian :)
DeleteWhere do you source the hairpin legs?
Deleteyou can get them here: http://www.hairpinlegs.com/products/hairpin-leg?variant=325852355
Deletejust pick the length you want!
I love this! Looks so simple. Might have to get my carpenter boyfriend to help me out with it.
ReplyDeleteZoe-Lee | www.secretdiaryofascavenger.com
you 100% should!! :)
DeleteI love your diy's! This looks so gorgeous and simplistic x
ReplyDeleteEdie | The Life of Edie
thank you very much edie!! :)
DeleteYou are KILLING it with the incredible DIYs at the moment! Anything with hairpin legs is a winner to me, this would be perfect in my hallway so I'll definitely be giving it a go.
ReplyDeleteCatherine | Hey, Mama
whoop- thanks so much catherine thats made my day! :)
DeleteReally love this simple DIY, I truly believe that you should leave the colour how it is, and the mannequin hand is beautiful x
ReplyDeleteMillie x
queenmillie.blogspot.com
i think i will- decision made haha! thanks millie :)
DeleteLove this! I love the natural look and been keeping it that way one some projects. Do you like the clear varnish? I was worried it would add a bit of color and did not use it. Thank you!
ReplyDeletei haven't used any varnish yet- i'll only use it if i start leaving anything hot or wet on top! i think the spray varnish would be less likely to change it -but i think most will deepen the natural colour a little :)
DeleteI love the simplicity of this piece!!! It looks beautiful in the space! =)
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend! Melanie | Blog: Toots + Dill
thank you melanie! :)
Deletealways love your DIYs! i'm a sucker for midcentury/anything with hairpin legs.
ReplyDeleteaha me too- thanks laura! :)
DeleteSuch a cool diy! Turned out great!
ReplyDeleteoh thank you! glad you like it :)
DeleteThis is a great diy! Such a simple piece yet so chic.
ReplyDelete<3
Chariza M. | LE-VISUALISTE.COM
thanks chariza!! :)
Deleteit's perfect! i must make this!
ReplyDeletethanks so much :)
DeleteI'd love to purchase this, because I just don't have the time to make one! Do you make furniture to sell? If so, please email me! LeahL.Johnson@gmail.com
ReplyDeletethanks so much leah- not at the moment but hopefully set up shop sometime- will email you when i do! :)
DeleteHi There! I love this- working on finding time to make a pair for my bedside tables now. Just curious, which height hairpin legs did you use? I know that I should try to align my tables with the height of my bed, but I wanted to get an idea. Thanks!
ReplyDeletehey kelsey -my legs are 18" tall if that helps! :)
DeleteI love this! How thick was the plywood you used?
ReplyDeleteHi, your work is amazing and I really like it. Unfortunately there is people that only want to steal a good job instead of creating new one, or at least recognize the credits of its real owner. Check this web page they totally copied your post: http://www.tres-studio-blog.com/2016/04/diy-mesa-madera-patas-horquilla-estilo-nordico.html
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteWondering where you get your cuts done? Do you do them yourself - if so, with do you use?
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThese are so beautiful! Where did you buy your plywood at?
What thickness is the plywood? Love this! Can’t wait to try it :)
ReplyDeleteHi there
ReplyDeleteI want to make this table, but as more of a hallway table. Do you think 27 inch legs are ok or too tall?
Thanks,
Gabriella