Just finished these (as part of a larger home remodel).
The client was very specific and detailed about what he wanted, from design to finish.
Part shop built, part built-in.
Using the SketchUp model he approved based on his input, I believe I gave him exactly what he asked for, including color (due to client moving back in the room is still a mess, so didn't get to take the photos I wanted): :
He's tickled, and the check cleared ... pretty much all that counts. ;)
That's Right!
You should, in your spare time, begin redesigning the TV cabinet. That TV is not going to satisfy him very long. :~)
Looks great!
LOL ... that's a computer monitor holding the cabinet down so it won't fly away.
The angled TV cab you see was built to hold an existing 48" flat screen that is currently downstairs in his den.
Offered to move it up for him yesterday, but he hasn't purchased its replacement.
(Asked him why the hell he missed all the Labor Day sales??)
Looks straightforward. Hell, I could probably have built it, albeit in several months and with less precision. :)
So it was finished on site? With what? Isn't that a pain?
My one issue with this - which is on the client, of course - is the adjustable shelving. It has long been my belief that no one ever actually *adjusts* adjustable shelving. They set it up once and that's it. And in this case, the clients don't even seem to have much variation in the sizes of their books.
I think that non-adjustable shelves look better, and I'm not even referring to the unused holes. There are no gaps at the ends of the shelves and you can implement a full face frame if desired. It's stronger too, as the shelves can be dadoed in, attached to the back and even reinforced with the face frame. For books, heavy ones anyway, that might occasionally matter.
I get why IKEA bookcases need to be adjustable: they're premade, one-size-fits-all. But for custom bookshelves, a quick inventory of the intended contents and a little planning could yield a design that will accommodate everything in a fixed unit.
That's what I did here:
In the main, I succeeded; storing several hundred books that were previously all over the house. I intend to eventually build a "bridge" between the two units, after which the books piled horizontally may go away. Or maybe they won't. My wife is a voracious reader, and still likes paper sometimes. :)
Something to consider, even allowing for the source. :)
What you or I think is irrelevant, what the client thinks is the only consideration.
While I personally do not like adjustable shelving, and would prefer not to have to bother with providing it, 99% of clients will not consider any type of cabinet shelving without.
Some are even farsighted enough to realize that providing for them "after the fact" is far more disruptive and expensive than planning for that eventuality in the first place; either while they own the house, or in anticipation of the needs of future buyers.
... and that's why the industry supports doing them in so many different ways.
Nothing to consider at all, asking a client their preferences with regard to adjustable shelving is an absolute necessity if you're going to build for anyone else but yourself.
While your observation of adjustable shelves, that don't get adjusted, is partially true, it is extremely hard to predict what the person, normally a woman, is going to want for spacing to begin with. The cabinets that I recently finished for my wife's sewing studio have had their shelves adjusted 3 times that I know of and there is still nothing in the cabinets. ;~)
If the cabinets are built for a specific purpose fixed shelves are the way to go and more trouble. But when you don't know what will be stored on the shelves over the next 75 years it is safe to make most of the shelves adjustable.
Hence the first line of my comment, above.
That doesn't surprise me. That's all I see in people's homes. I think that if they thought about it, they might decide otherwise.
A consideration I hadn't thought of.
And I don't, for many reasons.
Another lesson learned, Grasshopper. ;~) When building any thing that will out last you, you must consider that future owners/family members might want adjustability, otherwise the piece might eventually end up in a land fill.
I have built a few entertainment centers that are pretty much obsolete now. Who would ever have/need a TV bigger than 40".
My current entertainment center will handle 90" comfortably but only holds a 65" unit now. Actually my limit on my current is 96" wide not diagonal.
Client wanted a stain finish called "pickled oak", but very specifically, didn't want the grain of oak from any method of milling.
So, per his wishes, I used birch plywood and poplar for the face frames.
If you choose poplar that does not contain heartwood, and a finisher that knows what he is doing, birch plywood and poplar will finish almost indistinguishably unless you really know what to look for.
As always on remodels, or new construction, I use a paint contractor who has a track record of getting the finished desired; and, most importantly, can't be beat for his ability matching to existing finishes with different woods species.
Looks great. I'd be pleased, also. Did you install the flooring, as well, as part of the home remodel? Floor looks nice, also.
Sonny
I can appreciate your clients apparent intent "to get the most out of his space"! Nice job!
Who would ever build a desk without an ink well?
"Swingman" wrote
Ain't that the truth!
Reminds me of a job I did over 30 years ago. A guy wanted a heavy duty, industrial shelves built into his den. He wanted something "massive and pretty". I ended up covering the walls in utility plywood. Installing industrial, commercial style shelf supports on the wall on back of the cabinets. Then covering it all with some thinner, hardwood (walnut) plywood. The shelf supports in back essentially became buried in a dado groove of sorts.
I then took some hardwood plywood and glued them up to make thicker shelves. and put a walnut edge on them. I cut a dado groove underneath each shelf to hide the shelf support. I pointed out that the tracks in back of the cabinet would be sort of ugly, even if they were in the back. He did not care. He was going to fill up the shelves any way and this would cover them up.
His finish requirements were insane. Which is why I used all the hardwood (walnut) plywood. I referred him to a custom finish house that specialized in marine finishes for luxury boats. I was just unable to do the finish. But I sent him to the right place, he found somebody he liked and was very happy with the result. I know he paid big bucks to get the finish he wanted.
He was very happy with the finished product and brought me back to build an additional unit that was about 50% bigger than the original. And I had to do a small bit of remodeling (very minor) to make it fit. I really did not want to go through all that again and quoted him a high price to discourage him. And he immediately agreed! So, I did it all again. And ended up getting a couple more jobs from his friends as referrals.
As that old business sage once said, the customer (client) is always right.
Thanks.
Yes, the floor in that room was carpet before we began.
You got a digital pen that requires a digital inkwell Bill?
LOL.... Exactly. I remember the first desk I built for my computer, monitor, printer. A drawer was dedicated to hold my printer, that specific printer.
29 years later and probably 10 printers later none of the 9 following printers fit that drawer.
Ha! That can only be your fault for not measuring the drawer before going shopping. Long as you brought it up, I've saved $100's (in ink) since I bought a black laser printer. Of course, with your work, you may have a need for color.
LOL... So many times I wish my customers could imagine color.....
Well, you get that kind of work, how could they not be happy? As always, a great job.
You have your own unique style of construction and assembly that always loo ks neat, clean, and sturdy in the construction. And the end results always look great. It takes a bit more talent to match surfaces and styles of an existing environment than folks would think. You always pull that off.
Good stuff, Karl!
Robert
Thanks, Wobbit! ;)
Coming from you, kinda makes one blush ...
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