Hi/Low: IKEA Hack of the George Nelson Jewelry Cabinet

We always enjoy hi/low features and this takes is all up a notch - the high is very high and the low is a total DIY made from IKEA components. The photo above is an original, vintage George Nelson jewelry cabinet, as it appeared in David and Amy's House Tour which we posted in 2007. Jump below for the IKEA based interpretation:

A fun interpretation, right? We discovered it at (where else?) IKEAHacker, in a round up of their top posts from last year - it was originally part of a Design Sponge DIY Contest. Click on over for lots more photos and all the details on how the talented Angie Johnson pulled it off.

Via: IKEA Hacker and Design Sponge

Images: David Carter/David and Amy's Modern + Tiki = Home Above: Below: Angie Johnson/IKEAHacker

Comments (15)

I usually love the projects on ikeahacker, (and DIY versions of just about anything) but this one to me always felt a little... unfinished.

maybe if they'd used a chest without finger holes, and put knobs on... and painted, rather than staining the top - I've found that Ikea pine doesn't really like to be stained, especially if it's a piece you've just bought. An Ikea piece you've been using for a couple years will be drier and stain more evenly.

posted by creativeneurosis on July 31st 2009 at 9:53am
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I actually like the hack better than the original. (*gasp*)

posted by Limeliteshines on July 31st 2009 at 10:19am
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This ikeahack is on my list of things to make. :)

posted by sparkle on July 31st 2009 at 10:36am
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Clever, but I agree w/ the comment above...
...I'd have at least flipped the drawers around and installed little chrome pulls on the drawers that don't have cutouts.

posted by bepsf on July 31st 2009 at 10:37am
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i guess it depends on the look you want. personally i enjoy the original. its sleeker and more polished looking. the other seems too rustic and amateur.

posted by serrakat on July 31st 2009 at 10:42am
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I think the hacked version is more appealing if it's not compared to the original. Although they are similar in shape, the texture and finish of the two are very different. I don't know what the original cost, but it's probably not a fair comparison! The hacked version is cute on its own merits. Looks a little tippy though...

posted by kelleyk on July 31st 2009 at 11:05am
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The drawers have cutouts on both sides.

posted by slowdown on July 31st 2009 at 11:13am
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I like it, especially if you look at it without comparing it to the original. I might've painted the legs (white?) if it were mine, but it works this way too. Great job!

posted by thirtyeight20 on July 31st 2009 at 11:29am
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rotate the drawers 90 degrees? would that work?

posted by Heather C on July 31st 2009 at 11:34am
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The hack is fine, but what I really love are those curtains.

posted by tequila red on July 31st 2009 at 11:41am
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I like the hack better than the original, too. But I guess it depends what look you're going for, like someone else said.

posted by insanity_pepper on July 31st 2009 at 11:52am
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No, because the drawers are rectangular and would stick out oddly if you rotated them 90 degrees. Perhaps you could glue a thin piece of balsa wood or something on the fronts to cover up the cutouts?

posted by slowdown on July 31st 2009 at 12:49pm
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i actually like the hack better. i like the legs better and that the drawers are wider- if i were to make one i'd paint it all white.

posted by erinpearce on July 31st 2009 at 1:23pm
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yup, I like the hack better. great job!

posted by my little apartment on July 31st 2009 at 3:47pm
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I think the legs on the hack aren't the right proportion. Aren't there any other Ikea legs that would work?

posted by Palmetto on July 31st 2009 at 6:29pm
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