Val has been hard at work in the appropriate Sawdust Girl attire. PJ’s! LOL Catch up if you missed part 1, part 2, and part 3.
And she is making good progress. Bases are done.
Countertop is done.
When it came time to build the book cases we had a design dilemma. Remember that? Val agreed to let me ask for your opinions and you all spoke up.
This is Val’s take on the whole thing…and what she decided. 🙂
The original design called for three cabinets across the bump out, flanked by the two side cabinets.
There was a bookcase over each door/drawer.
The current design is a total of four cabinets and if we do a bookcase over each door, it looks very locker like.
I go ahead and build the two outer cabinets since they will remain the same. I set them right next to each other so we can see how it would look with a bookcase over each cabinet. Mike and I agree we do not like it, at all.
So the next logical thing would be just two large bookcases, one over each set of middle cabinets. I build them. The middle cabinets are 37.5” across and the largest span of shelving Sandra recommends is 32”. There is a reason for that folks. We have major sagage and there isn’t even anything on the shelves yet.
(cannot locate photo)
Sandra suggests I just make the cases 32” each and we can add a decorative pillar on each side.
It bothers me to waste that much space! So I jokingly suggest wine pillars. She designs them and they definitely are different.
I am still not sure what to do. I hate to waste a lot of space! I decide to go rouge and build a fiver across the front, 18”, 30”,16”30”18”. I build two 30” shelves and then used one of the outer cabinets to give me a visual of what a fiver would look like.
The bookcases look great to me. The middle section is centered over the middle of the cabinets. I send a pic to Sandra and text a pic to Mike. Sandra responds “I hate it!” and Mike didn’t even text back, he felt inclined to actually CALL, on the way to the airport, to express “I HATE IT.”
I live with the design for three days because Mike was out of town and I thought perhaps I have a defective eye for design, but they did not bother me like they did the other two. I think it’s the OCD element that their personalities include that I am missing. I really felt like Mike needed to see it in person.
Sandra was less disturbed by them on day two, still didn’t love them. We decide to put it out for a vote to all her readers! I feel validated in tossing the original design option since not one person chose it.
And I felt validated in my design choice because a lot of people were selecting it!
For the most part, though, everyone is selecting the one that Sandra suggested.
A few people, including my neighbor Clayton Sandell, are passionate about choice three.
I just don’t know that we have that much wine and I just see lots of dust pockets!
I show my mom and she has the same visceral reaction as Mike and Sandra (plus the same OCD) and proceeds to spend 15 minutes telling me how it is the wrong choice. I am still not convinced. Mike comes home and sees them in person for the first time. He is not as bothered by them in person. I switch them around to illustrate the concept that Sandra has suggested and he says “I really like that one better.” I say, “Allrightly, we have a decision.” Who am I to argue with the OCD folks? I send Sandra a message that we have a decision and right when she calls Mike say “Honey if you really like the fiver, it really doesn’t bother me as much as it did, I think I can live with it.” AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.
So Sandra and I discuss what to do next and I really need to rebuild the two center shelves to 32” so that they pillars are only 4 inches. Right now they would be almost 8 inches and that is silly. I am happy to have a decision made and off to sleep I go.
I wake up and first thing, I go look at the shelves. BOOM, no doubt, no questioning, it’s the right thing to do. I really admire Sandra for allowing me to come to that decision on my own. I think Becky and Malisa calling her bossy might have something to do with it. I kid! She is really not bossy, she was all set to let me make a bad decision, if that was what I wanted. It was awesome.
Keep reading to see the final reveal!
Susan says
This looks amazing! Can you tell me how the countertop was made? Thanks!!
Sandra says
Like this: http://sawdustgirl.com/2012/03/29/diy-distressed-wood-countertops/
😉
Maren says
There is nothing wrong with being opinionated, when your taste is as good as yours is, Sandra. And part of your services include helping people make the right choices. Ultimately, yeah, it’ sup to the homeowner. But don’t stop guiding them toward the light. 🙂
Great choice, Val!
Sandra says
LOL Thanks Maren. I really don’t think I’m bossy — people just like to say that because it makes them feel better about me always being right. Bwahahahaha
Kathy says
Sandra, you need to have a sign like the one in my craft room…”I’m not bossy…I just have better ideas”!!
Valorie Fitzpatrick says
Hahahahaha! I know what to get Sandra as a “Thank You” gift. 🙂
kristin says
great story–I am a detail girl so I got a kick out of it! I am glad Sandra is “bossy”–she most likely knows what she is talking about:) And it is the worst when you just can’t stinkin’ decide on something. It’s great you have SOOO many people who are willing to tell you what they think! In the end though I think you have to follow your heart…and it looks like yours ended up being the “right” decision-ha!
Valorie Fitzpatrick says
Yes, Sandra’s was the right decision all along and I was just kidding about the bossy part– VERY opinionated but with the credentials to back it up– she is the best!
Malisa says
Great job Val. 🙂 I have not started another project yet. Just looking at yours makes me tired all over again.
Valorie Fitzpatrick says
Malisa I am so jealous that you are finished and your project looks sooooo wonderful!! I am taking the SUMMER OFF (if I can ever finish this project!)
Kristina says
I love that you tell us how you got to that decision. These things take lots of time and thought and I like reading about it. They will be awesome. Also, I am cracking up about the bossy thing. I have been called bossy before – like once or twice or more…. – and I like to say that I just know what I like and how things should be!!!! Can’t wait to see the finished product.
Valorie Fitzpatrick says
Yes having all of Sandra’s readers help with the decision was AWESOME! And I love that Sandra let me come to her decision on my own timeline. 🙂
Jantral says
I prefer Sandra’s choice. Looks better.
In my opinion are too many holes to fill in the other vesion.
Valorie Fitzpatrick says
I agree!
Feral Turtle says
Great choice. It is going to be fantastic!
Valorie Fitzpatrick says
Thank you!
Beca says
Looking awesome! I noticed that you are building over the return vents, I didn’t think this was safe. I have a couple of book cases I would love to build but the walls that would be perfect for them have return vents on them. Did you add more return vents to another wall?
Valorie Fitzpatrick says
Great question and yes, the design leaves plenty of circulation for the return vent. You cannot see it in the photo but the cabinet that “contains” the vent? The cabinet is 20 inches deep but the bottom of the cabinet is only 12 inches deep (from front to back), so there open space in front of it and even when the doors are closed, the air can circulate through the open space at the bottom of the cabinet. Not sure if that makes sense? Sandra can definitely work around that challenge for you!
Ashley says
Sandra, I saw that your consultation fee was $75 an hour. What does that include? Do we talk and send pictures then get plans for that price? Or is there more? My project is almost identical to this buffet. Do you give us an estimated cost for materials?
Patty says
Have read 1, 2, 3 and really enjoyed the progress of this project. Are you going to add segments that show trim, doors and drawer fronts?