Ward Wildanger, a senior designer at Valet Custom Cabinets & Closets, was a finalist in the “Garage” category for his project “The Dream Garage” in the 2015 Top Shelf Design Awards. (Starting Nov. 2, enter the 2016 contest at woodworkingnetwork.com)

Ward brings over 25 years of design and engineering expertise to his work, and it shows in his projects, like this one in Los Gatos, CA. The homeowner, Chris, wanted a space that would do double-duty as a guest room and sewing room.

The concept was relatively straightforward: a Murphy wall bed, a corner wardrobe, and a movable sewing machine cart.

The result was just stunning. The choice of sculpted white and black Formica with red accents perfectly complemented the artwork in the room, including a wall quilt, of course.

Instead of traditional nightstands, Wildanger used drop-front panels to create flip-down nightstands on either side the Murphy wall bed. The hardware is flat black square bar pulls from the Top Knobs Nouveau III Collection.

Chris wanted to be able to store lots of material and not to waste any space. Adjustable shelves and a corner closet helped her to use every inch of the cabinetry.

This room also is a guest room, and the corner area was cleverly made into a guest closet to maximize the use of space.

Also, Chris wanted to be able to store her machine when guests were using the room, but also needed easy access to it. The sewing cart is on wheels and easy to move around the room as needed. Also, because she would be moving and storing her sewing machine, she wanted the machine to be very easy to raise and lower. An electric lift in the cart served that purpose.

Chris now has a beautiful, contemporary room for her house guests and a versatile, functional room for sewing.

“I chose Valet because the other company I got a bid from was very inflexible,” Chris said. “My designer, Ward, was excellent and really got into my project, especially designing the sewing table that would fit my particular machine and needs.”

Valet Custom Cabinets & Closets, Campbell, CA, designs, manufactures and installs custom organizational solutions.

Tracy Lee Davis is with ZingPop Social Media, located in San Jose, CA.