At left, the affordable and handy Fräck mirror from IKEA. I've had one hanging in my bathroom for a few years and, now that I've seen what Daniel was able to do with his, I'm looking at mine in a whole new light…
Daniel, from Manhattan Nest, is responsible for this brilliant IKEA hack. He was also kind enough to give us step-by-step directions on his blog so we can make one for ourselves! All it takes to create this adorably flexible lamp is an IKEA Fräck Mirror, a lamp socket, an adapter nut, a plug, lamp wire, and a couple of tools.
Creating the lamp looks like a pretty easy task. Simply remove the mirror from the Fräck and then wire the lamp to the arm. As Daniel points out on his blog, wiring a lamp is fairly straightforward and there are also a number of tutorials online — including one here on Apartment Therapy — to help you along.
Of course, one of the reasons that Daniel's lamp is so handsome is his choice of details. The twisted red cloth wire and chrome tipped bulbs are a delightful finishing touch for an already neat project.
Check out the full post over on Daniel's blog — Manhattan Nest: Fräck Hack.
Images: Manhattan Nest
Dirty Little Secrets of Tidy Families
Hillary & Michael's Refined Roost
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Nomade Express Slee...
How To Cook Fluffy, Tasty Quinoa
Summer Cocktail Staple: Campari & IPA Spritzer
I find that little trick very clever. Really.
That is genius. And now I'm wondering what 10,000 other things you could do with that wonderful, pull-out arm contraption.
I was totally thinking about doing this exact project like a month ago! Funny to see that someone else was thinking the same thing!
Ugh I know I HATE him.
I mean, clearly I don't hate him. He's so darn cute. I'm just so jealous of his abounding cleverness.
Scary dangerous. Ground the thing. It is all metal, if there is ever a short and someone touches that ouch.
Anyone know what kind of mug that is?
now that is the first diy on AT in a LONG while that i like :)
Such a great idea! Well done :)
@ifmyheartwasahouse: I am feeling the exactly same way like you! We should found a support group on how to survive Dans incredible skills, humour & good luck without dying of jealousy;-)
Ver2go...he used a standard lamp kit that has been used for decades by millions on ceramic, metal, glass......there's really no problem.
Add me to that support group. He really is brilliant.
@JLBinBrooklyn: my best guess is a pyrex/corelle d-handle coffee mug in citrus orange :D (i have the black set;) here's some info: http://bit.ly/oEpoxE
Brilliant!
There are two things that i've always been looking for in this project: Chrome tipped bulbs and cloth-wrapped wire. I haven't been able to find any local stores, hardware or otherwise, that carry these things.
brilliant!
Wow. What a brilliant hack! Thank you!
Attractive, cheap and practical - the holy trinity of good design. Daniel is awesome.
Is this a good place to drop my love for the Fräck in any form? So awesome. I knew I wanted something exactly like it for my vanity/desk next to the window. I looked for similar mirrors, and they were all truly ridiculous prices, like $75 and up (way up). On a trip to Ikea, I happened across the Fräck -- for all of $5 -- and it was love at first sight. If they discontinue them, oh boy will we be out of luck.