Harold Locklear is a finalist in the 2014 Top Shelf Design Awards competition with his project "E's Closet" entered in the Closet: Wood less than 18 linear feet category.

Project Description: This closet was designed as part of a complete remodel of a beautiful home built in the early 1900’s in Pinehurst, NC. The original area was a small bedroom that the owner wanted to have revamped to use as a closet. The custom built tall cabinets offer optimum room for hanging clothes. The custom built 42 inch tall drawer unit with eight drawers adds storage for other garments. A narrow upper cabinet allows additional space for specialty items. All cabinetry and side moulding is constructed of maple wood with natural maple interior. The doors and drawer fronts are flat with banded edges and standard overlay with unisoft close and KV runners. Automatic lighting illuminates the interior upon opening the closet doors. The custom designed maple wood top features a unique pull-out tray underneath for use in folding clothes, etc. The cabinets and wood top are completed with a distinctive finish of Mountain Peake white, sanding and 20 sheen top coat. Special order kobalt blue glass knobs brighten the cabinetry. High windows add a lovely natural light during the day. The original heart pine flooring was refinished to complete the look of the room.

List materials used in the project, including wood, veneer, laminate, hinges, decorative accessories, etc.: All wood, maple wood, unisoft close and KV runners. The client requested cabinetry specially designed and built to be environmentally friendly, functional and appealing. Columbia Forest Product’s Purebond Plywood successfully met all requirements. Locklear Cabinets proud to use “green” products that are safe for the environment. “Green” cabinets are manufactured of sustainable, renewable or recycled materials, with lumber legally harvested, exported, FSC certified. Cabinets are crafted to minimize waste/pollution, containing no added urea-formaldehyde in the lumber or glues. Finishes contain very low/no VOCs.

Describe any design challenges, i.e. obstructions, etc.: To design cabinetry to fit within the original feel of the home's early 1900's architecture, as well as create maximum storage and use in a small area.

Was the design created by hand or software program? If software program, which one did you use?: Harold Locklear began the design with hand sketches and completed the layout using Cabinet Vision.

Describe the installation process and any challenges.: The smaller entry doors in the original house created just a little challenge for install but everything worked out quite well. Just be careful installing cabinets - always!

Winners will be announced April 9 during a gala awards reception at the 2014 Cabinets & Closets Conference & Expo at the Hotel Somerset-Bridgewater. Visit cabinetsandclosetsexpo to register for the event. Voting for the People's Choice award is still open. Visit the Top Shelf Design Awards gallery to pick your favorite project.