Built-Ins... Almost

A cottage transformation wouldn't be complete without adding some built-ins.... not only because of the character they add, but also for the much-needed storage!  So, here is a sneak peak of the built-ins that were installed around the fireplace the other day....

Look at all the storage on each side!

On the left side, we have drop-down doors in place of the drawers in order to accomodate media components.  They both look the same when closed though...

As great as these cabinets are already, unfortunately there are a couple things that didn't turn out quite right... but that is to be expected when you are working with a house built in the '30's.  Afterall the floor is not level, the window is crooked, and the fireplace mantle is not centered!  I call that character or charm, but it is called a pain in the b-u-t-t if you are the guy making the built-ins, haha.

If you take a close look, the countertop is completely touching the fireplace on the right side, but on the left side there is a bit of a gap.  Well, that is due to the mantle not being centered....

Even closer up view of the left side...

And the right side...

See the difference?

So, after several nights of feeding Matt some beers and brainstorming, he came up with a brilliant idea.  We are going to notch out the hearth and then push the cabinets all the way up against the mantle on either side.  Of course, this will require changing the countertops to fit correctly, and adding a filler on the outside of each cabinet so that they are flush with the wall.

Baxter checked out the hearth and thinks it will work!

This idea also ended up solving the other small problem.  This drawer on the right side was too close to the wall which will soon have trim on it.  It opens fine now, but it would run into the trim and be blocked from opening if we left as is.  So, scooting everything over closer to the fireplace will give the drawer room to open after the trim is installed.

All the brainstorming also added a couple more ideas to the design of these...  Now we'll be adding some detail/trim around the top edge of the countertop and we're adding crown molding at the top of the mantle to finish it off and tie it in with the rest of the molding be installed. 

All of this re-work is most likely going to mean removing the cabinets all-together and taking them back to the shop, so it could take a little while, but will be worth the wait!

Oh yea, and I almost forgot the bookcase nook leading into the bedroom area...

I love how this little nook is turning out!

Ok, next step is to install all the trim work, so stay tuned for more updates soon....