2014 Top Shelf Finalist: Ellyn Elstein, Creative Closets Ltd.
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Ellyn Elstein, Creative Closets Ltd., is a finalist in the 2014 Top Shelf Design Awards competition with her project "A Study in Space Utilization" entered in the Specialty category.
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Ellyn Elstein, Creative Closets Ltd., is a finalist in the 2014 Top Shelf Design Awards competition with her project "A Study in Space Utilization" entered in the Specialty category.
Click on the image to open
Ellyn Elstein, Creative Closets Ltd., is a finalist in the 2014 Top Shelf Design Awards competition with her project "A Study in Space Utilization" entered in the Specialty category.
Click on the image to open
Ellyn Elstein, Creative Closets Ltd., is a finalist in the 2014 Top Shelf Design Awards competition with her project "A Study in Space Utilization" entered in the Specialty category.
Click on the image to open
Ellyn Elstein, Creative Closets Ltd., is a finalist in the 2014 Top Shelf Design Awards competition with her project "A Study in Space Utilization" entered in the Specialty category.
Click on the image to open
Ellyn Elstein, Creative Closets Ltd., is a finalist in the 2014 Top Shelf Design Awards competition with her project "A Study in Space Utilization" entered in the Specialty category.

Ellyn Elstein, Creative Closets Ltd., is a finalist in the 2014 Top Shelf Design Awards competition with her project "A Study in Space Utilization"   entered in the Specialty category.

Project Description: The laundry room should be so organized that this chore becomes a pleasure. Access to all items is improved upon by the use of roll-outs and move-able components. We begin at the entry with a solid maple pocket-door, fitted with opaque glass to let natural light flow into the space. Closed cabinets hide the tremendous efficiency of space. Start with the two sided roll-out floor to ceiling cabinet. One side holds brooms, and a Swiffer on Store-wall while the second side has adjustable 4" shelves to hold cleaning supplies all in a 12 inch space.

The next door covers 4 wood roll-outs fitted with heavy duty wire bins. This area is used to sort laundry, hold mending, ironing and that collection of single socks. Of course wall to wall there are Maple cabinets with adjustable shelves and soft close doors. To the right while still on the left wall is a two tone Corian (R) sink with a corner mounted high neck waterfall style faucet plus a tip our tray in front for sponges and soap. Behind the sink is Global Pine StoreWall acting as a back splash while holding a paper towel rack and fire extinguisher. Under the sink are 3 doors. One to the left hiding a stepladder, the two on the right cover a roll-out trash can and supply roll-out. On the wall facing you as you enter you will find our favorite- a recessed rotating ironing board which is hard wired. Within the cabinet but above the ironing board is an area for storage of first aid equipment and an emergency crank powered radio/flashlight.

Below the ironing board is a separate 4" deep cabinet covering Maple veneer slat-wall. This is our special key storage area. Hooks hold the numbered keys, a chart on the door tells which area is associated with a particular key number. As you face the washer and dryer please notice the laundry chute. The bottom opening of the chute is made of Lucite so you can see if there is any laundry that needs to be done. This piece slides out to allow the dirty clothes to drop from the 2nd floor. Laundry supplies are stored right above the washer again for ease of access.

Above the dryer is a rod to hang clothes taken from the dryer. You will also find a telescoping swivel belt rack used not for belts but to hang wet unmentionables. Behind the dryer we used StoreWall to hand the steaming rack for the dryer. Envision this space--Floor (African slate). Cabinets-(Maple, clear coated floor to ceiling). Hardware Rustic true rust to bring out the natural rust and copper components of the slate floor. Washer and Dryer Platinum the finishing touch to accent the gray coloring in the floor. What a stunning look! Thank you for joining us on our tour of the most organized laundry room in existence all in a 5 x 8 foot space.

List materials used in the project, including wood, veneer, laminate, hinges, decorative accessories, etc.: Maple clear coated cabinetry Birch veneer Slat-wall with chrome inserts and chrome hooks and accessories Global Pine StoreWall with chrome attachments soft-close door hinges Rev-A-shelf soap tip out Closetmaid roll-out Trash Can Iron away A-42 Rotating ironing board Corian Terra-Cotta counter with integrated dove gray sink. Oil Rubbed bronze water fall faucet Top Knobs Rust hardware Lucite and Maple laundry chute African Slate Floor Sand textured walls

Describe any design challenges, i.e. obstructions, etc.: The biggest challenge was that this room measured 5 foot x 8 foot and the client would settle for nothing less than everything put into this small space. We created the three doors under the sink as to allow the right door to clear the key cabinet under the ironing board when the client added her desire for a small stepladder to be installed after the cabinetry was almost complete. Installation of the ironing board was a feat. The studs were every 5 inches so we needed to add a header.

Was the design created by hand or software program? If software program, which one did you use?: The design was created first by hand then on computer. We used Planit Solutions

Describe the installation process and any challenges.: The installation of this laundry room was a two man job but only one man could fit in the space. One did the running and cutting and the other the installing. As I mentioned above the ironing board installation was a big surprise. The roll-out full height cabinet was quite difficult and due to size we needed to supply our client with the correct size cleaning tools that would fit on the hanging side

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.
- See more at: 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.

Winners will be announced April 9 during a gala awards reception at the Cabinets & Closets Expo. Voting for the People's Choice award is still open. Visit the Top Shelf Design Awards gallery to pick your favorite project. - See more at: http://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/wood-market-trends/woodworking-indust…
Winners will be announced April 9 during a gala awards reception at the Cabinets & Closets Expo. Voting for the People's Choice award is still open. Visit the Top Shelf Design Awards gallery to pick your favorite project. - See more at: http://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/wood-market-trends/woodworking-indust…

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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