Some DIYers have a real knack for spotting products at IKEA that were just meant to be something else. In the case of this Before & After, a standard shelving unit gets an entirely new purpose and becomes a beautiful light fixture.
The Ikea EKBY Shelf Unit contains two simple brackets and a shelf, but when taken apart, suddenly the brackets have all kinds of new uses. You could make a set of new sconces with one shelving unit with this simple hack.
Jenny, of the Swedish blog Jenny's Hus, used the bracket to hold up a simple corded light. This way, the light can be moved and used as a directed task lamp. Plus, the simple and modern feel would look great in any number of settings. The bracket Jenny used was black, but you could paint the shelf any number of colors.
This Before and After is especially interesting when you think about all the different types of brackets and cord sets you could mix and match. Perhaps a DIY bracket could be done as well?
You can read more about the project on Jenny's blog; the good folks over at PoppyTalk blogged about this project in English, and also provide sources for the light kit for those of us living in the states.
(Images: IKEA and Jenny's Hus, via PoppyTalk)
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Love it!
Definitely didn't see that coming!
That's sweet! Is the light too bright, though? How about one of those bulbs that's mirrored on top (or bottom, if you hang it like this)?
I really like this!
Nice. Yes, I agree with @Michael W., a silver tip bulb would work well.
It looks wrong.
Not what I expected. Appreciate the vision but not my style.
Genious. Lots of inspiration, so many options.
SOLUTION! to my reading corner in my OMG its tiny apartment. Thanks.
Take apart? The components are all sold separately!
I did this with paper lanterns and those metal brackets used for hanging plants (above the bookshelf): http://www.flickr.com/photos/92961878@N06/8455586037/in/photostream/
Sorry I don't have a closer photo. I threaded the light cords through 2 big silver rings (cannibalized from a pair of earrings!), and then hung the rings from the brackets.
Oh, the light cords are just the basic ones from Ikea, and the paper lanterns came from somewhere in Vancouver's Chinatown.
Lots and lots of these available on Etsy from various artists and have been for a while.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/117391309/the-perch-modern-wood-wall-sconce-in?ref=sr_gallery_3&sref=sr_3742638891b1568335acf4284b6a65aade0a5bfc323077008977765ce38dfc89_1360604141_14166303_wood&ga_search_query=wood+light+fixture&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=4&ga_search_type=all
Surely it's easier to buy the brackets separately instead of intentionally buying the shelf just to do this though.
Yup, you can just buy the bracket on its own here: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/76696009/#/00167472
And this is an old idea. Here are other similar hacks:
http://www.ikeahackers.net/2012/09/hang-loose-lighting.html
http://www.ikeahackers.net/2012/03/ekby-valter-lamp.html
I too did something similar in my apartment. Its a great easy hack.
100% neat!
Oh the ideas it gives me....add some bronze pulley wheels, walnut stain....must get to basement laboratory!
Minions? Where are my minions to do my bidding?? MINIONS!!!
how many times are ppl going to use that same bracket and making it into a sad looking wall sconce.
seen it so many times, in all colors, with an assortment of approaches to hole placement.
i love it! Looks great! im gonna go try it now.
very unique... Cool
Don't you just HATE it when your minions disappear?