Storage solution-Custom Furniture

We've offered some ideas for storage solutions, and here's one that many people might never think of. Custom furniture! Sounds expensive, but it doesn't have to be.

These homeowners needed a very specific sized piece of furniture for their bedroom, and it needed to have very specific functions. (For some reason, Ethan Allen doesn't seem to make an 84" long, 15" deep chest, with bins for laundry, and drop down doors for electronics.)

By finding out exactly how they wanted to use the furniture piece, and taking very exact measurements, we were able to design a piece that met all their needs. And because we had it custom built, we could even have it stained to match other pieces in the room.

This handsome piece was constructed from mahogany by a local woodworker. The three large doors in front drop down to accommodate separated laundry (red socks+white t-shirts = pink t-shirts.....bad!), and of the 3 drawer fronts, 2 drop down to accommodate electronics for TV etc, and the third is actually a drawer.

I think as consumers we forget that furniture was actually hand-made in little shops like this long before it was manufactured in factories. And this was surprisingly affordable...less than you would expect to pay from a furniture store!

I love furniture, and I love furniture that works. I hope the lesson is to always explore your alternatives...there is rarely a need to settle!

Studio Update--New Doors, but hey who needs latches!?

Well, as the work crawls on at our new studio, the doors were finally installed. As I mentioned in an earlier post, to conform to the Historic Guidelines for Hyde Park, the front of the studio had to actually look like a garage. Chip designed these Craftsman-style doors, which were made for us by Castor Cabinets in Tampa. We were lucky that they didn't have to conform to the new strict Hurricane Codes, since they are not considered exterior doors...they only open into a storage space. (Apparently, Tampa doesn't care if all my yard tools get destroyed by a hurricane!)

I do assure you that the doors will not always be held shut by step ladders....door hardware is on the way!

The new entry door was also installed. The light streams in all day long, but especially in the afternoon, since this side faces west.

The siding is going up, and the new exterior lights (matching our other garden lights from Restoration Hardware) have been installed. The funny "U" shaped piece above the door is where the pergola piece will be attached. Now we wait for the porch deck at the entrance. Our terriers are tired of jumping all that way up to the new office space!

Unfortunately, we've still got some problems brewing. This is what we get when our brand new LG wall AC unit breaks down.

Classy, ain't it?!

And, here is the day-to-day mess we still face every time we walk out the back door. (Trust me, the camera actually makes it look kind of, well, "pretty".)


Hey...we're almost there though! I should have pictures for you with paint next time!

One-upped by the contractor!

Well, I think this may be a first! As we all know, Chip is famous for putting every square inch of a space to good use. This time, Bill of William Stone Contracting may have trumped us.

As is often the case of the really good builders, they love woodworking, and "messing" with things. In this first photo, you see Bill standing in front of the handsome, newly-tiled fireplace and hearth. I especially like the way the thick wood mantel, which matches the wood floor stain, sits on top of the hefty bull-nose tiles. (This picture was taken before the tile was grouted.)

When I walked back into the room after taking other pictures, these Jewel-box like doors had been opened to reveal all this "secret" CD-DVD storage!

Well done Bill! But, would you expect anything less from a guy who wears such cool shoes? Hey, are those a size 7-1/2 by any chance?

Garden Idea

Often, great ideas are born out of necessity, right? It's perfect when you can come up with an elegant solution to a problem as mundane as outdoor privacy. And Missy has done just that here!

In order to block the view to the neighbors and still allow adequate air-flow on the porch and balcony, these beautiful trellis treatments were created. Remember, "blocking the view" doesn't necessarily mean a solid wall, or thick hedge. We can actually trick the eye by putting up a partial barrier, and you won't pay attention to what's beyond.

This same idea can be used to top a solid fence. In our neighborhood, we have a 6' maximum fence height rule. But, we are not restricted from putting something such as open trellis above that. This in itself may be adequate to stop your eye, or of course plants can be grown onto the fence and trellis for a more complete block.

In our own garden, we let the vines grow on the fence, but I really like to keep the rusted iron trellis pieces bare. I have the hardest time getting Chip out there to do this trimming...I mean, it's the only thing I ask! Well, almost.

Countertops delivered!

It's always a really exciting day when the kitchen counter tops are installed. During the trip to the stone yard to select slabs this homeowner was captivated by this truly unusual piece of marble. Though the original plan was to make all the counter tops from black stone, this discovery led to what I think will really make this kitchen an absolute gem! Being predominantly dark it will certainly make sense with the perimeter counter tops, but it's unique coloring and veining will make this island become a great focal point.

The stone slabs can be chosen at any time during the design process, but the final measuring is not done until the cabinet bases are installed. Then the marble company creates their templates, and the stone is cut to size before delivery. Final fitting and necessary alterations are of course done on sight.




This puts the homeowners a huge step forward towards their fast-approaching move-in date.

Your questions answered! Storage

A reader sent us a question, asking how they might find more bathroom storage. You know, I can just hear that Cavewife asking her Cavehusband, "Where am I supposed to put all this stuff?!" A question as old as time. Every case will be different, but there might be some solutions that you have passed by, that we can help you find!

We designed this custom cabinet for a recent bathroom renovation project. Now, before you're scared off by the word "custom", it doesn't have to mean expensive. In this case, we went to a local woodworker, and were able to get several cabinets made at a great price. By taking this cabinet all the way to the ceiling, we gave the homeowners a lot of extra storage. This cabinet was 15" deep and 36" wide, but even a 12" deep cabinet would accommodate a lot, and could fit into a pretty tight space.


Here are a couple of other storage ideas:


Hate all those shampoo bottles and soap dishes in your shower. (I can't be the only one who uses 3 different kinds of shampoo, plus conditioner.) Your contractor can build in a shampoo niche between the wall studs, or you can buy the shell premade from such companies as http://www.showerbase2.com/Niches_RTT.html The premade niche is already fully waterproofed for extra protection, then the tile is applied just as it is in the rest of the shower enclosure.


These not-so-traditional medicine cabinets from http://www.iinovators.com/ are actually equipped with a picture frame to display your own art or photograph. The frame swings open, just like a normal medicine cabinet, to reveal great storage. (Oh, if only those Valley of the Dolls gals had had these!)




This above-toilet cabinet was also custom-made to go to the ceiling. These cabinets are traditionally 8-10" deep, but as in all bathroom storage, the taller the better!



Hope these tips might offer you some food for thought. Be sure to send us your questions, and our Saturday postings can be all about you! Send your queries to info@intspacesinc.com
More storage solutions to come!

Nobody knows the troubles......

I may have mentioned that like many projects, ours has been fraught with problems. Even what on paper may seem like a very simple design (4 walls, a ceiling, a few windows, and a couple of doors!), there is much more "behind the walls" than we know about...till later.

Hey, this doesn't look like the door that was in our design drawing, and should have been ordered...about 4 months ago!! Well, the real door came in too short, too narrow, and swung the wrong way! (Otherwise, it was fine.) We're growing kind of fond of this temporary door and padlock. Has a real homey look, don't you think?

Our brand new LG, wall-hung air conditioner worked great! Well, right up until it didn't work at all....at about the 6th day of use.

These are the kinds of things that might happen on any project...but why ours?! (This cannot be Karmic justice!)

The price we pay!

Aside from just generally being a BIG MESS, this project has really taken a toll on our garden! (I won't even start on the relationship toll!) Upgraded power had to be brought from the house, which meant trenching 24" deep the 50' or so to the new studio. Much of this trench went right through our brick patio. (Luckily, it was only sand-set, not cemented.)

This is what happens when you dig a trench in Florida during the rainy season, and it's left open...FOR WEEKS! (Oops, did I sound unhappy?)

This is the trench we either leap over, or fall into to get into the studio door each morning. Oh, when will it all be over?!

Progress made--well, some.

In these photos you see the siding, windows and trim have gone up...at least on 3 sides. There have been delays. Oh yes, there have been delays. But, why should our project be any different than anyone else's, right?

I have concluded there is a definite reason why the word "Independant" is part of the title Independant Contractor. But, that could be a whole blog of it's own, right?

I love these dormer windows. Can't wait for you to see pictures from inside. Just let us get a little further along!

Studio interior-early

This is an early shot taken after framing, and new floor joists went in. The electrical boxes are in place, and ceiling can lights in. You can get a sneak-peak of the view from the south window. The dormer windows are framed, but the openings are not cut out until the windows are installed. Opening the ceiling up to the rafters will give the somewhat small space a much larger feel.