Small Space DIY Idea: Fold-Down Nightstands, Nautical Edition
by Annie Quigley
After admiring Margot’s feature on the excellent Tuba Club in Marseille (see Tuba Club: Marseille’s On-the-Rocks Hideout), we were looking at some outtake photos together. Of the many guest room details to admire, one jumped out: fold-up, fold-down nightstands that reminded us of a ship’s cabin—perfect for any small room, and not too tricky to replicate at home. (A particular plus: Navigating a narrow space while tucking into bed, “you wouldn’t bang into the nightstand,” said Margot.) Have a look:
Above: A look at the clever nightstand: It’s suspended from thin ropes so that it can hang down–or stow away when not in use, not unlike a tray table on a plane. (Note the wooden latch up top.) Photograph by Edouard Sanville.
Above: The nightstands in another guest room. All you need to give it a try: a plank of wood in a finish of your choice (and a small block or bracket underneath to help support it), two lengths of rope. and a wooden latch (often called a “turn button” or “turn button catch”). Photograph by Florian Touzet.
For more simple DIY ideas for the bedroom, might we suggest:
- DIY: A Simple, Fresh Headboard Hack
- DIY Idea: Effortless Window Coverings with Hardware Store Supplies
- 11 No-Buy Room-Changing Ideas
N.B.: This story originally appeared on August 22, 2025 and has been updated.
Remodelista Reconnaissance: Silver-Tipped Lightbulbs, Always a Bright Idea
by Annie Quigley
Leave it to Copenhagen It couple Frederik Bille Brahe (chef) and Caroline Brasch Nielsen (model/designer) to remind us that a silver-tipped lightbulb can transform an otherwise ho-hum fixture into a design detail worth emulating. (For evidence, see A Family Kitchen in Copenhagen with Uncommon Style.)
It’s the kind of easy swap we’ve long admired. But where to source such a silvery bulb? Read on.
The Sighting(s)
Above: Our reminder of the enigmatic appeal of chrome-tipped bulbs came from Frederik and Caroline’s kitchen, where they’re paired with simple white sconces (and some creative work with the electrical cord). Photograph courtesy of Reform from A Family Kitchen in Copenhagen with Uncommon Style.
Above: But we’ve previously admired silver bulbs, too, including in the French home of French stylist and costumier Céline Sathal, where a solitary silver bulb hangs from the ceiling. Photography by Eefje de Coninck for Remodelista from La Vie en Rose: Inside a Costumier’s Dreamlike, DIY Maison in France.
Above: And small chrome bulbs replaced regular white ones in Sarah Lonsdale’s own California bath, as seen in 10 Tips for Transforming a Rental Bath on a Budget. Photograph by Matthew Williams for Remodelista.
The Source
Above: Silvery lightbulbs are easy to source. The keywords you’re looking for are “half-chrome lightbulb” or “silver-tipped lightbulb.” Shown is the 60W G40 Chrome Tip Bulb, $14 from Rejuvenation, and other options are widely available from Nostalgic Bulbs ($4.95), Ace Hardware ($7.99), Lamps Plus ($3.98), and Home Depot ($9.89).
For more design details uncovered, see:
- Remodelista Reconnaissance: A Cane-Back Rocker in a Designer’s Summer Bedroom
- Remodelista Reconnaissance: Interior Shutters in a Workstead-Designed Retreat
- Remodelista Reconnaissance: The Ideal Ceramic Coffee Cups, Sans Handle
N.B.: This story originally appeared on September 9, 2022 and has been updated with new products and pricing.
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