Drum roll, please! The coffee table Martin and Wille built is ready.
As you may have noticed we have a thing for wheels. It's just too practical not to put wheels on stuff. Two lock and two don't.
Still to come is a different tray for the remotes (that's a bread basket) and a cushion for Mini and Bonus in the nook to the right. Will show you next week.
We have been waiting anxiously for paint to dry (painting was my contribution to the project) and now that our creation is finally sitting in it's spot in the living-room we are all really happy with the design.
When IKEA knocks off our design, remember where you saw it first. If YOU on the other hand want to make one like ours here's the how-to:
So, to determine the shape of the table Martin cut a piece of plastic which we placed on our orange stools which are about the same height we wanted the coffee table to be. We tried two versions for the ends, one more rounded and one less. After some debate we went for the less.
This is what Martin and Wille used to get the rounded shape. It's bendy MDF. We bought a sheet ages ago for this project but had the rest just standing in the garage. We were dying to use it for something. It's seriously awesome!
Here are the bones of the table. Two sets of the same parts; the shape of the table and two curved end bits which have a more narrow curve to allow for the bendy to go around, then becoming flush with the sides.
A three sided box is set in between the curved end bits as Martin is demonstrating so well here.
Here you can see the basic construction, a sandwich where one of the sets has been placed on top of the box sitting on the other set.
The whole thing is glued and clamped, now screws. Temporary nails were used to hold the pieces in situ while glue dried. These were removed afterwards (obviously, being temporary. Duh!).
A divider and shelf were added and we screwed the wheels on to the bottom so we could check the whole thing out properly on the floor.
The bendy was then nailed to the frame. This was the tricky bit. Martin and Wille came up with the idea to glue and temporarily hammer in nails and bend them down (or they would pop out of the material because it's quite thin) making it look like a dental job gone bad (click on image to view more dental detail). After the glue dried they pulled the bent nails out and added nice straight ones which were then sunk.
All the holes and all the imperfections were filled with wood filler and sanded down.
After all the sanding I applied a couple of coats of primer and a couple of top coats. Let dry for ages and there it was!
Wow! Awesome!:)
Posted by: Branka | September 04, 2009 at 07:10 AM
So worth waiting for. Fantastic design and execution.
Posted by: Neeza | September 04, 2009 at 07:35 AM
You guys are amazing!! It looks brilliant!
Posted by: Amanda | September 04, 2009 at 07:55 AM
Wow! This is truly fantastic!!
Posted by: lina | September 04, 2009 at 08:24 AM
I am going to have to stop reading your blog as it's making me feel seriously lazy and inadequate!
The table is really great- so professional.
Posted by: Rattling On | September 04, 2009 at 08:25 AM
Great job and a great design!
Posted by: ibb | September 04, 2009 at 08:28 AM
You all did an amazing job! Wonderful design.
Your Ikea knock-off comment made me laugh.
Posted by: lisa h. | September 04, 2009 at 08:31 AM
I am so so so jelous. Please Ikea, knock-off the design for me to buy! ;-)
Posted by: Anne | September 04, 2009 at 09:03 AM
It looks so professional! You are a very talented family
Posted by: Gracia Fraile | September 04, 2009 at 09:09 AM
So impressive! That was well worth the wait.
Posted by: Judith | September 04, 2009 at 09:13 AM
Åh, superfint! Älskar lilla kattfacket i bordet, vilken rolig idé!
Ack så jag önskar att jag var lika händig som ni verkar vara, DIY är ju det finaste som finns. Bra jobbat!
Posted by: Maria | September 04, 2009 at 09:14 AM
That is seriously fantastic!! I have to ask though, How do you manage to get such a neat finish with the paint? I always end up with streaks and even drippy bits!
Posted by: Kelly | September 04, 2009 at 09:16 AM
It's brilliant, what a super job those two pulled!!!
Posted by: Yvonne | September 04, 2009 at 09:19 AM
I use a small sponge roller and make sure I don't lay it on too thick, especially on vertical surfaces. To get an even nicer finish you can use an almost dry brush and drag it in your wet paint. This way you don't get the slightly mottled effect from the roller. I didn't do that this time and kind of regret it but my painting sessions were at the weirdest hours, 9.30 pm and 4.30 am so I just didn't have the energy for that extra step...
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 04, 2009 at 09:24 AM
I know, I'm really proud of both of them. I think I've been demoted though and Wille has taken my spot as first assistant carpenter... :)
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 04, 2009 at 09:26 AM
It's really cool! One wouldn't believe it's not store-bought and it's really convenient with all the space for things, and your cats, too :)
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=541738807 | September 04, 2009 at 09:54 AM
Incredible job - I think IKEA needs all three of you! The design, the construction, the smooth finish - bravo for a simply gorgeous piece of furniture!
Posted by: judith b | September 04, 2009 at 09:55 AM
Oh super cute. That bendy mdf is to die! Never seen it before.
Are you up early or am I up late? BTW, I'm a total insomniac.
Posted by: the brick house | September 04, 2009 at 09:58 AM
wow, great job benita, martin & wille!!
Posted by: Julie | September 04, 2009 at 10:01 AM
You are up late. It's 10 in the morning over here. Go to bed!
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 04, 2009 at 10:03 AM
alltså. ni är fantastiskt duktiga!
jag har lånat lite inspiration av dig som symbol för ett projekt vi håller på att planera på jobbet.
kolla in hos mig och fundera om du kanske vill vara med?
hör av dig i så fall så berättar jag mer!
lotta
Posted by: •lotta på solrum|fnurr• | September 04, 2009 at 10:08 AM
love it! that is exactly what I would want ours to look like, except my husband wants a table he can stretch his legs out under. oh well - love yours!
Posted by: Juliette R. | September 04, 2009 at 10:26 AM
absolutely beautiful! great job to all three of you!
Posted by: quelle | September 04, 2009 at 10:34 AM
Beautifully designed, built and finished! I looks great in your room. You can all be proud of this family piece. I'm sure you are happy to give up your position as first assistant carpenter to your son. My boys are still tiny, but I would be very proud if one day they will be happy to work on projects with us.
Posted by: Vanja | September 04, 2009 at 10:55 AM
uau! Great job!
Posted by: isabel | September 04, 2009 at 10:59 AM
It's really beautiful. Really really beautiful. Thank you for sharing it all with us.
Posted by: Tajana | September 04, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Fantastic table -your living room is just gorgeous, I love that aqua wall!
Posted by: acreativemint | September 04, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Looks perfect!
Posted by: Qlka | September 04, 2009 at 11:42 AM
It's a great job - both the idea and its making. You're an awesome team and family!
Posted by: Sandra | September 04, 2009 at 12:16 PM
VERY IMPRESSIVE!!
Posted by: Petra from the Netherlands | September 04, 2009 at 01:03 PM
Its beautiful! The best part is each of you contributed! Those are the best memories to give children!
Posted by: LindaS | September 04, 2009 at 01:04 PM
You are sooooo good - love it and I agree wheels are great!
Posted by: Annette Lombard Scholtz | September 04, 2009 at 01:07 PM
Wow. WOW. It's Miracle Family!!!!!
Posted by: Sara | September 04, 2009 at 01:10 PM
I think that's exactly what I need for my living room. Want to make me one? :) I'm seriously going to have to look around for that bendy mdf around here. wow!
Posted by: Elissa | September 04, 2009 at 01:30 PM
Seriously! Awesome! I too have a thing for wheels on furniture, my husband thinks I'm nuts, lol. But then he doesn't have to do the shifting when it comes time to clean.
Posted by: Kimmi | September 04, 2009 at 02:05 PM
Good job!!! I love the line & your instructions to made it are great.It is a pity that this kind of MDF is no available here :-(
Posted by: emma- elefectosherezade | September 04, 2009 at 02:15 PM
Beautiful!
Posted by: Abbe | September 04, 2009 at 02:21 PM
Totally awesome!
Posted by: Karen | September 04, 2009 at 02:31 PM
For et utrolig fint bord! Jeg er imponert, og litt misunnelig på snekkerne du har i huset!:o)
Posted by: Ellen* | September 04, 2009 at 02:34 PM
the coffee table looks great! i love the color scheme you chose- so pretty!
Posted by: Erin | September 04, 2009 at 02:38 PM
Åh vad snyggt! Jag önskar jag också var så händig! Jag har ofta många idéer men har svårt att genomföra dem. Älskar att kolla in vad du fixar med hemma hos er. Jag kollar nog in här minst en gång om dagen. :) Så ger ni mig massa inspiration. Du har faktiskt fått mig att uppskatta färgen vit mer, det ger en sån härlig kontrast till annat. :)
Posted by: Emma Carlsson | September 04, 2009 at 02:54 PM
Niiiiiice!
Posted by: Lorna from Hotlanta | September 04, 2009 at 03:27 PM
Wow! Very impressive! Ikea is probably crying in its bins.
Posted by: Kathleen S. | September 04, 2009 at 03:41 PM
Oh Miracle Girl!
Am-a-za-zing!
I am sooooo envious! And that bendy MDF - awesome. I'm not thinking Ikea...I'm thinking Museum of Modern Art Design Collection...
the sleeping spot for Mini and Bonus is brilliant.
Posted by: carol k | September 04, 2009 at 03:52 PM
You family's creativity and sense of style always wow me! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Mercedes | September 04, 2009 at 04:01 PM
Wow they did a great, and your painting is pretty good as well! It looks so professional, if I didn't know any better I would have said that you bought it. I just wish I was as creative! How long did it take to make?
Posted by: Homes-Suite-Homes | September 04, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Wordless...
Posted by: Noelia | September 04, 2009 at 04:28 PM
it turned out just awesome!!! :O
Posted by: pandolet | September 04, 2009 at 04:39 PM
No bendy MDF in the states and I have no possibility of making one of these.
What manufactured options did you guys look at for inspiration? I've been looking for a table just like this for ages to purchase online... anyone know where I can find one sort of similar?
Afraid I can't afford to have your 2 guys make one and ship it to South Dakota!
Posted by: Rachel | September 04, 2009 at 04:44 PM
I turned out really great. I would love it if you could do more on painting furniture. I always find it to be such a hard job and your painting always turns out lovely.
Posted by: Suzette | September 04, 2009 at 05:15 PM
This is crazy amazing! I want one. In fact, I want the whole room. Wow. =)
Posted by: Shanon | September 04, 2009 at 05:30 PM
I can't tell you how much I LOVE this design. Immaculately executed, of course :) Well done! I plan on copying it someday. But I'm all the way in San Francisco, so I hope you don't mind :)
Posted by: blake | September 04, 2009 at 06:00 PM
Is there any particular type of paint that you use for durability/finish?
Posted by: Dana | September 04, 2009 at 06:00 PM
Wow...seriously great!
Posted by: joyce | September 04, 2009 at 06:02 PM
Your blog inspires me more then any other blog, book, magazine, television show or home that I have ever come in contact with. I live in the States and everyone I know here just walks out and buys whatever it is they need/want at the moment and we have never been able to afford to do that. For years I just lived with the thought that I could never have anything nice in my home, and in the last year of reading your blog my thoughts have completely changed. I am so much happier with how my home looks, feels and functions. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and ideas with others!
Posted by: Tammy Scott | September 04, 2009 at 06:05 PM
This is brilliant! A great-looking and useful design! I love the bendy MDF - never have seen it before. Having only one side open I would think would also help control the dust. If you have company and don't have time to de-dustbunny then you could put a nice tea towel and cover the whole thing.
The trick for me and the pet area would be to make my little dogs think that it wasn't for them - that way they really think they are getting away with something clever.
Well done.
Posted by: Vicki K | September 04, 2009 at 06:06 PM
If Ikea knocks it off, I'm buying it. It looks fabulous and I'm jealous that you and your family can make just about anything. Thank you for going through the trouble of showing us step-by-step.
Posted by: phillippa | September 04, 2009 at 06:07 PM
Are you sure there's no bendy? Did you ask? We asked because we had seen it on a UK home improvement show and it wasn't obvious that they has it in the DIY store.
I googled for tables to get inspiration for this one using searches like "rounded", "round", "castors", "wheels", "rolling", "modern", "storage" + "coffee table".
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 04, 2009 at 06:35 PM
you guys are completely amazing. seriously.
Posted by: mila | September 04, 2009 at 06:36 PM
I prime using a water based primer but use solvent based paints for the top coats. I've tried water based versions but I haven't been happy with the results so far. I'm sure there are great ones out there, just haven't found them yet so I'm sticking to what I know works.
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 04, 2009 at 07:07 PM
Sååååååååååååååååååå snyggt! Va roligt att ni gör saker tillsammans, hela familjen jobbar på huset liksom :-)
Posted by: Tant Grön | September 04, 2009 at 07:09 PM
There's quite a bit of waiting for glue to dry but it took about 10 hours spread over 3 days + the paint job which took about 30-45 minutes per coat.
~ Benita
CHEZ LARSSON
To: benita@chezlarsson.com
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 04, 2009 at 07:13 PM
Love, love, love it!!!! Great job, all of you and this is going into my files to copy at a later date....
Posted by: Catherine | September 04, 2009 at 07:34 PM
how incredible!
Posted by: Julia | September 04, 2009 at 07:40 PM
It's fabulous! You guys are so handy, and I think it's great that you involve Wille in your projects. He will be so grateful when he's older to have so many useful skills!
Posted by: Goodbye, Small Heart | September 04, 2009 at 07:41 PM
It figures that I did not search the right words!
However, during my new search I realized that I already have a rolling cart that I can fix up and repurpose for what I need (which is actually a television cart, not a coffee table). Sometimes it just takes inspiration to think of the obvious!
Posted by: Rachel | September 04, 2009 at 08:06 PM
Great! Repurposing! I like :)
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 04, 2009 at 08:14 PM
I am speechless of amazement! So cool! It fits perfectly in there. I have to scroll up and look at it again.
Posted by: Franziska | September 04, 2009 at 09:11 PM
Wow! That's fricken fabulous! I love the coffee table! That shiny lacquer finish looks great! Two thumbs up!
Posted by: Kristen | September 04, 2009 at 09:22 PM
It's fabulous! I really want one like it
Posted by: Casey | September 04, 2009 at 09:43 PM
You guys rock!
you should design furniture and sell the plans in your shop. It shouldn't be too hard to copy the format woodworking mags use, no? The dimensions would be handy for those folks that will try this at home, and it'd set up a sort of tip jar for stealing your ideas ;)
Posted by: brandy from Austin,Texas | September 04, 2009 at 10:19 PM
benita, we already know your talent, so this comment is for martin:
martin, you rock!
wille: wow! you are one good idea champion.
Posted by: ltg | September 04, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Just awesome!
I am so envious of the incredible amount of talent in your family. AGAIN.
Is there anything you CAN'T do?
Posted by: Annapolitan | September 04, 2009 at 10:44 PM
Unbelievable and extremely cool!
Posted by: nicoletter | September 04, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Wow that is neat!! I love DIY proyects and yours turned out GREAT! congratulations and enjoy
Posted by: Erika | September 04, 2009 at 11:28 PM
Love it. & I also love it without the bendy bits too. A double whammy! XXxx
Posted by: Bex | September 05, 2009 at 01:47 AM
holy canoli! fabulous! good work guys.
Posted by: knittingbouvier.blogspot.com | September 05, 2009 at 02:17 AM
Love it!
Posted by: Nichole | September 05, 2009 at 06:32 AM
It's beautiful! Sigh. I would like your entire living room transported to my house, please. Yum.
Posted by: kellee | September 05, 2009 at 09:59 AM
Awesome! Fantastic! I love it.
Posted by: Barb F (Australia) | September 05, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Jättesnyggt bord! Vad duktigt av dem och färgen där bakom soffan är väldigt fin!
Posted by: Fröken Prickig | September 05, 2009 at 02:34 PM
This is fantastic! You really have a talent not only for diy decorating but also describing how to, which I find can become very confusing. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: mirka | September 05, 2009 at 07:48 PM
amazingly coool!=)
Posted by: katie | September 05, 2009 at 09:07 PM
It is awesome Benita. Well done to you all!
Posted by: Linda | September 06, 2009 at 12:18 AM
Beautifully designed! And so practical! And unique!
No such a thing in any shop and if it would exist, it would cost a fortune!
Posted by: jja | September 06, 2009 at 07:14 PM
Me again :-). My husband is also amazed, his idea was - they should give DIY weekend workshops and charging them, of course, we have something like this in our city, they are not so creative and talented as you are and get 100 Euro per person and day (usually one or two days workshops for 10 people.
Posted by: jja | September 06, 2009 at 07:17 PM
i cannot believe your boys made that awesome table!!! wowza!!!!
Posted by: Caroline | September 06, 2009 at 07:41 PM
Wow. Wow. Wow.
What teamwork. The new coffee table looks amazing!
Posted by: Adrianne | September 07, 2009 at 08:02 PM
Really nice!
Posted by: Lilla Jag | September 07, 2009 at 08:08 PM
Oh WOW Benita! It's GORGEOUS! I'm so impressed!
Posted by: Rachel | September 07, 2009 at 11:18 PM
What a fun idea! Not sure about fitting any more people into our garage though. Perhaps if we were showing how to make something small and narrow... chop sticks?
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 08, 2009 at 08:10 AM
The blue and white together is lovely. You may have mentioned elsewhere the aqua paint color on your living room wall- sorry if I missed it, but what color is that?
Posted by: Sarah | September 08, 2009 at 07:17 PM
Most paint companies over here don't name their paints by names but follow a system called the NCS color system. The aqua color i NSC S1020-B30G. I believe that color number can be translated by a pro paint store that mixes paints on site. Good luck!
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 08, 2009 at 09:12 PM
Ohhh, lovely! Could your hubby make one for me too? Haha. It's gorgeous! Great job!
I couldn't help adding this to our link luv roundup today:
http://www.luvinthemommyhood.com/2009/09/link-luv-roundup_09.html
Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: luvinthemommyhood | September 09, 2009 at 08:47 PM
I am proud of martin and wille too! =) your blog is such an inspiration!
Posted by: rita | September 09, 2009 at 11:41 PM
Thank you so much for including me :)
Haha, I should send Wille and Martin on a world tour of coffee table making!
Posted by: Benita ~ Chez Larsson | September 10, 2009 at 09:07 AM
Benita, you should sell these. Maybe you can get a fabricator here in the US to make them for you. I love this table for it's versatility, clean lines and design, plus I love the rolling casters, and the cat area is genius!
Posted by: Di | September 10, 2009 at 08:38 PM
wow! first of all, that coffee table is amazing....second, I am totally showing this post to my husband! I've been looking for a cofee table for a year...but i'm picky. This would be great! YOu guys did a great job!
Posted by: sonia | December 29, 2009 at 09:27 AM
Cool design. I love the chic white contour of it!
Posted by: Jennifer@DreamingofJune | July 06, 2012 at 04:14 AM