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NY Good Questions: How Can I Pimp Out My Nightstand?

4.17bedsidetable.jpgDear AT,

I'm hoping that AT's creative readers can help me "pimp out my nightstand."

I'm unhappy with the bedside table, the lamp, and the clock.

I've been thinking about either a white or a mirrored nightstand, but I haven't been able to find one that works.

I'd like it to contrast a little with the traditional bed rather than match the style exactly. (The bed is cherry and not quite as dark in person as it looks in the photo.)

The nightstand needs to be no wider than 22" and ideally 25-30" tall...

 
 
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At least one shelf is a must for my bedtime reading, and a drawer would be a huge plus.

Alternatively, perhaps I could paint the nightstand I currently have -- but what color?

White seems too "nursery" for this Ikea table -- maybe a medium blue to play off the pale blue wall?

I'd also love suggestions for a good lamp and clock to go on the table.

A nice vintage-looking alarm clock would be fantastic, but it would need to have glow-in-the-dark hands. And no ticking!

Thanks! Lauri

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tables - desks, lighting, Good Questions

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Comments (17)

Go with the mirrored night stand. I have two and I L-O-V-E them! they totally pimp out my bedroom and i get tons of complements.

posted by Julia at Living Luxely on 2008-04-17 15:53:03
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I have this "Moonbeam" clock in my bedroom and it is silent. Has an alarm, too, and a glowing clockface. And I lurv the design. Comes in several colors

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&categoryId=33149&sc1=Search&feat=sr

posted by rinconia on 2008-04-17 16:07:08
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http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/collection.do?method=get&id=377396&cat=107
height choices and top choices....i would like to see either cherry or one of the stone tops on the natural steel base.

http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod3910009&navAction=jump&navCount=2
this should be a link to a "vintage look" clock, with luminous hands........take a look at the lamps, too.

posted by maude on 2008-04-17 16:16:41
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how about a wall mounted swing arm lamp to give you more room on the top of the table you have?

posted by mrs yow on 2008-04-17 16:18:01
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I recently redid my bedroom with a thrift store round table, dining height (29") and a glass top. I use a variety of fabrics to cover the table (which allows great hidden storage underneath). I cannot tell you how great it is to sit in a comfortable chair, and read or eat or write or whatever. With a good lamp and some flowers I feel like I am in a lovely hotel room. Maybe you would enjoy it too.
Also, everyone who comes in just loves it. Sometimes I pull in an extra chair and we have cocktails there before moving to the larger table for dinner.

posted by Lavren on 2008-04-17 16:29:44
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I'm a big fan of the componibili system. It would make a nice contrast to your bed and comes in several colors.
http://www.componibili.co.uk/

posted by etslee on 2008-04-17 16:37:59
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I have a similar bed and also am interested in mirrored nightsands. But I have been having a terrible time finding appealing ones for a good price.

posted by angxannette on 2008-04-17 18:09:00
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How about Syrian mosaic? http://arabiannights.ca/mosaic-furniture-catalog.html

I have the Premium Round Table and love it - beautiful varied colors of wood, nice mosaic, simple design and inexpensive - but no drawer. It isn't as wide as you'd like but there might be other options.

posted by Taureg on 2008-04-17 18:20:58
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Start looking for side or end tables, too, not just nightstands.

How about this? And put some feet or casters on it from ikea:

http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&partNumber=WE-PRODf100&retainNav=true&parent_category_rn=&cmsrc=SCH&parentId=end table

posted by kimg924 on 2008-04-17 18:48:04
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I don't think anyone will pay to have sex with that!

Unnecessary use of an ugly phrase I think.

posted by ARC on 2008-04-17 19:25:29
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I have to second the Moonbeam clock. I'm a huge fan!

posted by hollyg on 2008-04-17 20:41:45
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I obsessed about finding an alarm clock I'd actually like last year, and settled on this one in periwinkle:

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&categoryId=44630&sc1=Search&feat=sr

It's great and, best of all, very quiet.

posted by Birdy on 2008-04-17 21:12:17
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you need a lamp with a more substantial base... like an urn lamp or maybe something with color. The tall thin lamp base you have now is just too many vertical lines with the canopy bed and the legs of the nightstand. maybe something like this:

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p6365/index.cfm?pkey=clgttaftbl

http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODw370&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&parentId=WE-SH1WALLAM&retainNav=true&cmsrc=WE-SH1WALLAM

posted by eebnyc on 2008-04-17 23:37:29
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oh and add some artwork over your bed too - it'll take some of the pressure off your little nightstand :)

posted by eebnyc on 2008-04-17 23:38:44
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Target had great inexpensive mirrored side tables the last time I was there....

posted by Enamorada on 2008-04-18 11:07:25
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If anyone is still shopping for mirrored end tables, Horchow has a great sale going on today!

Originally $389, now $269, plus they have a code for 20% off of that and, if you use ebates, you'll get an additional 3%!
http://www.horchow.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=cprod21570016&cmCat=search

These are more Hollywood style pieces but I love them and just ordered two!

posted by ownedbycat on 2008-08-20 15:24:14
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