Ask RiotACT: Looking for a Joiner to build a Built-In Bookcase

The Container Store has actively worked to establish itself as a valuable resource for interior designers since the launch of its trade program in early 2019. A core component of this initiative has been the expansion of its custom closet offerings. Initially featuring the Elfa system, the brand now provides four distinct systems: Elfa Classic, Elfa Décor, Laren, and Avera. Each system boasts a wide array of customizable features and finishes, offering flexibility to designers and clients alike. Margery Hurlbut, director of marketing for The Container Store, highlights the success of the trade program, noting that designers appreciate the company's ability to assist with every stage of closet design, from planning and measuring to installation. This comprehensive support allows The Container Store to function as an extension of a designer's team, streamlining the process for custom closet projects. Natalie Myers, principal of Los Angeles-based Veneer Designs, exemplifies the appeal of The Container Store's offerings for designers who may not specialize in closet design. Myers admits that closet design is not her expertise and routinely refers clients to The Container Store. She praises the aesthetic quality of their systems, stating they rival custom-built cabinetry, while freeing her from the design complexities. Myers discovered the Avera line through a client project and was so impressed that she integrated it into her own home, transforming her closet into an architectural feature by removing its folding doors. For designers who do specialize in closet design, such as Lisa Adams, also based in Los Angeles, The Container Store serves as an effective fabrication solution. Adams appreciates the extensive options for finishes and details, which allow her to realize her custom designs. She specifically cites the Laren system's capacity to accommodate floor-to-ceiling cabinets, complete with baseboards, trim, LED lighting, and glass-front drawers. Adams found the process efficient and the final product for her client to be of high quality. The Container Store continues to enhance its trade program, aiming to provide even greater flexibility for designers and architects. One significant advancement is the ability for designers to create entire closet systems virtually, eliminating the need for in-person store visits. For those who prefer to shop in person, the company offers exclusive appointments for trade program members before regular store hours. Hurlbut expresses satisfaction in observing the diverse ways designers integrate The Container Store's systems into their projects, noting the unique personality each space develops through chosen finishes and accessories, resulting in beautifully executed designs. #InteriorDesign #CustomClosets #TradeProgram #HomeOrganization #DesignSolutions #ArchitecturalDesign #RetailPartnerships

Books hold a significant place in many lives, serving as sources of relaxation, learning, and expanded horizons. Beyond their individual utility, books also function as a reflection of personal identity and interests, especially when displayed in public areas of a home such as living rooms or dining rooms. Daniel Goldin, proprietor of Boswell Books, emphasizes that the selection of books on display reveals a homeowner's interests, thus personalizing the living space. Books contribute to a warm and comfortable atmosphere, making a house feel more like a home, whether neatly arranged on shelves, decoratively placed on stand-alone cabinets, or casually stacked on a coffee table. Goldin, who owns 16 bookcases in his Bay View home, organizes his extensive collection by subject and author. For instance, fiction is housed in the dining room, general books in the living room, nonfiction in the study, and food-related books in the kitchen, often intermingled with kitchenware. He also maintains separate sections for read books and those awaiting consumption. As a bookseller, Goldin faces the challenge of accommodating a constantly growing collection, adhering to a 'one book in, one book out' policy, except for beloved books deemed permanent keepers. Contrary to some modern interior design trends that advocate decluttering by discarding read books, Goldin argues that books read and cherished evoke memories and hold emotional value, akin to a record collection. He observes design trends such as arranging fewer books with accent pieces, stacking them spine-in, removing dust jackets, or organizing by color. Some individuals even dye books to match decor, indicating a desire for the aesthetic appeal of books in their homes, even if they aren't avid readers. Amy Carman, owner of Amy Carman Design, notes that these trends stem from a desire to create order and warmth, with some designers believing book covers or spines can be visually distracting. However, Carman asserts that bookcases remain a crucial element in home aesthetics, perhaps even more so now that much content is digital. She views bookcases as platforms for displaying meaningful items, including books, artwork, and family photos. For an updated look, Carman recommends creating pattern and repetition when filling large bookcases to prevent a cluttered appearance. A sense of order can be achieved by highlighting favorite books in the center, then filling the remaining space with other books and accent pieces. Bookcases can be integrated into almost any room, with style considerations tailored to the home's existing decor and the volume of items to be displayed. Examples include library walls in kitchens for cookbooks and glassware, or bookcases in dining rooms to add warmth and character. Stand-alone etagères with open fronts and sides are currently popular for their elegance, while built-in bookcases are favored for home offices and living rooms, especially around fireplaces or on large library walls, adding architectural interest to plain rooms. JoAnn Feldges, studio proprietor at Design Within Reach, identifies a trend towards built-ins, stand-alone units, and separate shelves. She suggests three styles: the compact "story bookcase" for book lovers and collectors, the elegant "folk ladder shelving" which leans against a wall with shelves widening towards the bottom, and versatile "string shelving" consisting of modular wall-mounted units suitable for various rooms like kitchens or libraries. Contemporary bookcase designs also incorporate lighting, often low-profile to illuminate contents or decorative sconces and picture lights as "jewelry." Rolling library ladders are increasingly popular, extending beyond traditional libraries to spaces like back bars, wine cellars, kitchens, and butler's pantries, offering both character and practicality for higher ceilings. While some homeowners prioritize updated aesthetics, others, like Goldin, opt for functional and relatively inexpensive bookcases, sometimes displaying books vertically, horizontally, or alphabetically by author, alongside random piles. He advises keeping books intended for immediate reading accessible rather than stored away, and recommends dedicating a comfortable spot, such as a chair with an ottoman and good lighting, for reading. #HomeDesign #BookStorage #InteriorDecor #Bookcases #HomePersonalization #ReadingNook #LibraryLadders #HomeStyling #DesignTrends

The article highlights the work of Craig Thibideau, a master of intricate mechanical furniture, focusing on two of his latest creations: the Spinning Cabinet and the Wisteria Cabinet. Thibideau, known for his veneering skills, has collaborated with Robert Yarger of Stickman Puzzle Boxes to integrate complex mechanical and puzzle features into these furniture pieces. Their collaboration combines Thibideau's furniture craftsmanship and design with Yarger's expertise in sequential movements and puzzle mechanisms. The Spinning Cabinet, measuring 42 inches wide, 26 inches deep, and 46 inches high, is constructed primarily from walnut, figured anigre, and Sitka spruce, with various marquetry woods. Designed for a puzzle-collecting client, this cabinet features numerous mechanical and puzzle elements that create a highly interactive experience. Upon solving an initial puzzle, the cabinet can rotate 360 degrees, triggering automatic opening and closing of drawers around its perimeter. Further rotation stages reveal additional puzzles, requiring solutions to access other sections of the cabinet. The cabinet incorporates various mechanical components, including spring-loaded panels, touch-opening mechanisms, and magnetic locks, designed to be discovered by the owner. The Wisteria Cabinet, named for its distinctive wisteria flower marquetry, stands 70 inches tall, 36 inches wide, and 20 inches deep. Its construction utilizes Honduran mahogany, maple burl, Amboyna burl, walnut burl, walnut, sycamore, olive ash, and different marquetry woods. The client's preference for burl woods led to their extensive use throughout the piece, both externally and internally, posing a challenge to integrate such diverse materials without overwhelming the final aesthetic. This cabinet was also created for a puzzle collector who desired a large cabinet with a sequentially solved puzzle system and multiple forms of mechanical movement. Inspired by the mechanical furniture of Abraham and David Roentgen from the 18th century, Thibideau's work on the Wisteria Cabinet demonstrates a similar level of complexity. As different stages of its puzzle system are solved, two moving components automatically open, unveiling additional small puzzles. The most complex of these is a magnetically activated clock mechanism that subsequently unlocks a series of drawers. The intricate design of both cabinets reflects a sophisticated blend of artistic woodworking and mechanical engineering, offering a unique and interactive experience for their owners. #PuzzleCabinets #FurnitureDesign #Woodworking #MechanicalFurniture #VeneerCraft #CraigThibideau #RobertYarger #InteriorDesign #CustomFurniture