John Gidding of HGTV's Designed to Sell has our respect for this hardcore IKEA hack which he shared over at IKEA Hacker; he transformed various parts of the IKEA Expedit shelving system and had them custom milled into an organic wrap around shape to create one impressive room divider and shelving configuration. Most of us won't be able to follow his footsteps, as Gidding turned to software solutions Rhino and AutoCAD to plan out the expansive structure which surrounds and creates a small office section, but it's inspiring nonetheless to see what one can do with some careful planning (and resources!)...
"Actually it's all one long piece - made with two Expedit units. One unit hugs the wall as pure storage, and the other encloses a small office behind it, so yes - works as a room divider."
"...The standalone is bolted to a wall on the other end. The only side of the Expedits that's really exposed is the one that's been bolted - all other sides have this system attached to it. I painted the additional shelves a high-gloss white so it matched the white Expedit."
We're actually off to IKEA this afternoon, so this definitely gives us some incentive to at least dream a little dream of something as impressive. Take a further look at more photos and plans of Gidding's design at Ikea Hacker.
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Wow. Just... wow.
He's done some really nice work on the show -- I specifically remember a kitchen redesign, but I can't find photos. Oh well. Go John!
absolutely fantastic!!
I'm probably going to be punished for this, but I think its kind of ugly.
I am always impressed with John Giddings imaginative ideas, but some of them just fall flat to me. (This one is ok.) I really hated a weird bench he once made of foam loop wrapped pieces of board that reminded me of a lop sided caterpillar. And his deconstructed grids sometimes are too taste-specific to me -- *I* wouldn't enjoy living withi some of them, and as a designer on "Designed to Sell" where the concept it to appeal as universally as possible, sometimes I think he goes too far. But they definitely are unique, so for the right person, they would probably seem like an art installation. (Plus HE seems really nice, not that it matters!)
@sherry--
I remember the foam-caterpillar bench too - GAWD that was AWFUL! I also didn't care for the bedroom he did for "Designer Showdown" either (as I recall, it didnt' win)
Doesn't surprise me that he's hacked IKEA - seems that HGTV pretty much has carte-blanche at the local IKEA stores and Home Depot to get whatever they want anytime they need...
Wow, I've seen a lot of IKEA Expedit hacks and this one really stands out as one of the most interesting. It's beautiful, in fact. I love how one separates the space and, at the same time, adds a lot of style.
I wonder if that's one of IKEA's $7 frosted glass lamps near the bottom of each unit. Best deal ever, those little lamps.