Robert Meyers, More Space Place DC, is a finalist in the 2014 Top Shelf Design Awards competition with his project "Home Office/Murphy Bed/Sliding Wall Media Center" entered in the Home Office under 150 square feet category.
Project Description: This project is a 12ft wide x 10ft deep multi-functional room used as a main living space. The focus of the project was to accomplish keeping the room as a sitting room to watch TV, and work at the home office at the same time. The real challenge was to also include a full size murphy bed for guests but not give up any functionality. We combined an 81'' home office with lower and upper storage cabinetry, lighting and granite countertop. TV components are designed into the home office area as well as a pull out shelf to use with the desk and the bed. A very comfortable every night useable Murphy bed tops of the room for total functionality. Simply slide the large TV wall panel in front of the home office to access the bed. You can still view the TV when the bed is open. To round off the design, the client added 2 recliners to enjoy their media center.
List materials used in the project, including wood, veneer, laminate, hinges, decorative accessories, etc.: Cabinetry and shelving were constructed using Flakeboard antique white laminate. The doors are a 5 piece antique white door with mocha glaze. The bed mechanism is a Next Bed frame with a Serta luxury Eurotop full size mattress. LED undermount strip lighting and LED upper lights for the desk area were used.
Describe any design challenges, i.e. obstructions, etc.: The biggest design challenge was to provide a very functional home office and Murphy bed in a room with 2 full size recliners. The challenge was to create a solution to keep the TV in its original place. I set up a full size home office desk/workstation 81'' Long. I created a sliding wall and mounted a TV on the panels that covered the Murphy bed. The wall slides over the home office and all of the wires move with the wall. The 2nd challenge was to create a trackless guide for the sliding wall. The sliding door is on a top track only with several concealed guides at the bottom of the door itself.
Was the design created by hand or software program? If software program, which one did you use?: I designed the solution for this space using Cabinetvision.
Describe the installation process and any challenges.: The installation process was painless, since we pre- assembled the entire system at our warehouse. The main challenge was to provide a solution for the wiring from the components to the back of the TV. These wires need to move with the sliding door. We attached all of the wires to a spring loaded spool that allows the wire to be unraveled as needed and re-coils the wires back into place when not in use.
Project Title:Riva Garage
Project Description:In order to have a clean look the client requested a floor based unit. A platform base was constructed to create this look with out toe kicks. Before installation the client was instructed to have floor expoxy done before setting any wood on top of concrete. Normally there are leveling legs that would be sitting on the cement. Never any wood.
List materials used in the project, including wood, veneer, laminate, hinges, decorative accessories, etc.:Black and Gray Melamine 3/4" thick with Classic soft edge. Design Wall with Bike Racks is shown.
Describe any design challenges, i.e. obstructions, etc.:In order to have a clean look the client requested a floor based unit. A platform base was constructed to create this look with out toe kicks. Before installation the client was instructed to have floor expoxy done before setting any wood on top of concrete. Normally there are leveling legs that would be sitting on the cement. Never any wood.
Was the design created by hand or software program? If software program, which one did you use?:Hand drawn design
Describe the installation process and any challenges.:The flooring had to be completed before we installed the platform.
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http://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/contest?page=2&pageSize=6&contestID=1…
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.
Project Description: Take one very interesting, part-octagonal shaped room with eleven walls... include one pair of 90 degree walls and one set of French doors and proceed... The challenge: Create functional space for Dad's home office Mom's wrapping paper and gift supplies Two children's homework and crafting stations. Note: These spaces must grow along with the children as they grow from kindergarteners to teens. The focus as you enter remains on the octagonal shape and the three windows in front of you. Dad's space is kept neat. Pull-out shelves for the large office equipment (printer and scanner) keep those items handy but easily pushed out of the way when not in use. The abundance of drawers keeps Dad's work files organized and secure. The smaller drawers house all of the little things that make a home office run smoothly. Each child has an identical space on either side of the doors as you enter. Both boys have file drawers for their school papers and shallower drawers for art supplies and paper. The vertical cubbies help them learn about organization and will provide great function as they get older. They each also have one tall upper cabinet with a door to hide some of the unsightly necessities and open shelving to show off art and awards. The location on either side of the doorway provide each their own special space with the added bonus that the mess that is sometimes created is not visible as you walk by the entrance/doorway. Let's not forget Mom... she has abundant space on either side of Dad's area with upper cabinets that reach high towards the 120" ceiling. One side is for gifts: bags, wrapping and all the accoutrements. The other side is for all the other items a busy working mom needs to store within easy access. Additional lower drawers and closed shelf storage help keep this busy working mom organized. By wrapping the countertop in a continuous loop all the way around we were able to emphasize the unique shape of the room and provide plenty of work space for everyone. The Espresso Melamine choice along with the Stainless Steel hardware mimic the style of the home and closely match the color of the flooring. The white marble countertop "pops" and sets off the crown molding, window trim and door frames. The prospect was daunting but check, check, check we accomplished all of the goals, providing an inviting space for the family to work together. The boys love being able to share the space with their busy dad and Dad loves the extra time he gets to spend alongside his sons. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
List materials used in the project, including wood, veneer, laminate, hinges, decorative accessories, etc.: Espresso Woodgrain Melamine Stainless Steel Handles
Describe any design challenges, i.e. obstructions, etc.: The shape of the room was a challenge because I wanted to keep the unique look while maximizing the function. Providing all the client requests while keeping it attractive was necessary because the room is directly off the main area of the first floor. Only two 90 degree angles in the room. Window sills were lower than countertop height so design had to accommodate that challenge.
Was the design created by hand or software program? If software program, which one did you use?: Both hand drawings and software were used. I always begin with detailed hand drawings which are ultimately submitted for cutlist and installation purposes. CAD is utilized for client visualization purposes.
Describe the installation process and any challenges.: This installation had to be done in steps. First day was the lower units. Day two was for the countertop which was obviously a long process. Day three was for the upper units and the moldings.
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