Friday, April 24, 2015

IKEA's SEKTION install w/custom base



Finished!










Chapter 1





I cannot imagine having to use the IKEA rail system with their plastic legs - it's just so difficult! I was reviewing the installation guide for tall pantries - there are 2 tall - BIG AND HEAVY! - pantries on this project. So many points to adjust for level - each leg! With my custom base system, I set the height - totally arbitrarily - it can be whatever it needs to be. Look - 




I shoot that laser all around the room - all I have to do is attach that base to the wall at the back - adhesives and screws to the studs or the bottom plate - 'side-to-side' levelling - even across 12' - DONE! Then I ensure 'front-to-back' level -approximately every 2' I install a levelling foot - and finished! It's easy, stress free, and no risk of damaging any cabinetry! All the cabinets are tied together with screws and pressed against the wall as a single unit - a straight line. It is very important that all the cabinets faces - doors and drawers - be co-planar, regardless of the wall behind them! That will ensure the best look. 




We will finish the project with some custom detailing and this kitchen will look like a million bucks!


Custom Details:

I built the light box above the sink along with another box to close the space above the cabinets. Same high gloss white from Abet was used to clad the laundry doors - provides a sophisticated solution to utilitarian dilemma - they look really, really sharp. And the vent cover - facing on the dishwasher - instead of moving the vent in front of the sink I built it into the base - yea, that's a vent under the dishwasher. 





Wednesday, April 15, 2015

The Advantage of IKEA Hacking - Part 2

Chapter 1 - 



From ABET's Serigrafia collection - my place. I took 2 black MALMs, strengthen them [yea, they need that], put them together on a custom base, fabricated custom countertop that also has a little cable management system. I have to confess that I am a huge fan of ABET's Serigrafia collection - beautiful, large, bold prints that are also very durable, and Hernan, from ABET, tells me that each graphic pattern comes with a matching solid colour - those laminates are just beautiful... I think ABET's Serigrafia - matching across the doors - would look real good on the PAX doors. Want really nice, large, functional closets that look amazing? Hire me - I will design you a beautiful wardrobe that's gonna cost thousands less. 


NEXT




Frank was renovating his house and he could not find an appropriate reducers for his brand-spankin' new re-finished floors. Being a floor installer - I've done some real nice hardwood floors - I know the challenge. I remember shaving, cutting, thickness planning the 'stock reducers' - it was always a compromise. This is a custom solution that deals with all that challenges that Frank might encounter - custom width, custom bevel, custom everything - tomorrow I will just cut it length and it's done!


LAST





This is a custom box - the back of it. Many times the clients won't even see that part. But I want them to know that it is always quality. Always! - crappy work annoys me! I never spare quality materials, glue, nails, screws, or exceptional craftsmanship. I don't cut out openings for plugs - I build jigs, measure and route - even my cut outs for electrical look good! Crappy workmanship annoys me!



One of the reasons that I am always appreciative of my clients is that they enable me to live my dream.  Yea. This is not a 8 til 5 job for me - this is a life-long love affair with design and wood - I will elaborate more on that in some later post, when I get more time...Yea! I need more time to blog...


Chapter 2 - Latest IKEA Billy hack - custom solution.

The true advantage of doing IKEA hacking with me is the great flexibility in design. You literally can go with anything you desire... I am just there to realize that vision. I am there to make sure that things not only look good but work well. This design turned out so well - I put in nicest detailing that I could - I was very satisfied - there was nothing more than I could have done with it.  




The design is split into two parts - top and bottom. With carefully selected geometry, the bookcases end up being vertical columns sandwiched between to curving slabs - all finished in a really nice high gloss white - Italian laminates look stunning  - a gentle sweep. The symmetry and height of the bookcases can be repeated along any wall  - symmetry and rhythm is achieved there. 






The two top custom boxes are meant to represent a complement to the bookcases below. They are a means to deal with various 'obstacles to symmetry' - the top boxes share same elements - they fit within 1/2" of all restricting dimensions - set back, high-gloss scribed pieces. Stepped, set-back, fixed shelving edged with thick solid birch - 5/8", chunky. Backs are, nice flat-sawn birch veneer - all solids and veneers are finished with water-based finish - water-base is harder, more durable, environmentally friendly - but the biggest deal is that it is virtually clear and non-yellowing, which is big deal for birch  - wood grain looks amazing!






FIN [end]


PS. I am excited! Tomorrow I am doing my second IKEA unboxing video - here you can check out the first one. It's at the end of the post - it's a Billy Bookcase unboxing video!



PPS. Here - sometimes, I like wearing a tie* at work. Just because I am a blue collar worker, don't mean that I can't dress well. 


I take my work very seriously. For real. I love my job. Thanks for enabling me. 

*it's a sewn-in tie....for safety.