Jenny and Peter do some pretty cool stuff. This time, they might have outdone themselves by (1) opening up a letterpress shop and (2) collaborating with local designers and illustrators to produce a sample set to kick off a KickStarter fundraising campaign. You want to be in on this one.
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In the evolving design and discovery of the Case Study Shelving Units (CSSU), I've been able to further refine the sizes and pricing, expand the options and now offer adjustable legs/feet.
The prototype features a mahogany leg insert, but the final production model will use maple to match the shelves. Look for a production model photo soon.
Sizes: The bay-width has been "standardized" at 23in (or multiples of 23in). This allows me to better utilize materials and stock sheet sizes which saves money and reduces the per-unit cost for you. I've been able to do the same with the shelf depth and leg height as well. The depths have been standardized to 11.5 (for books), 14in (for general storage) and 18in (for electronics). Of course, custom widths and depths are an option, but this gives folks something to consider when looking at a fixed cost pieces.
Panel options: In addition to the Walnut/Enameled panels, we've also begun to offer the "neutral" panel option which are matte black or gloss white on one side and clear-coated MDF on the reverse. This option gives a more casual or industrial feel and also quite a bit cheaper due to material cost of time required to finish the panels. I've also been able to offer a DIY/unfinished panel option which is great for folks who might want to paint the panels themselves or cover with materials of their choice (think: vintage posters, wall paper, grasscloth, etc.). The DIY panels are unfinished MDF on both sides.
Feet: I've been able to design a foot option that is (1) attractive, (2) sturdy and (3) adjustable. Since the legs are made of anodized aluminum, getting anything metal to faithfully adhere to it has been a challenge — aluminum is tough to weld and soldering isn't strong enough to support the weight of the shelves.
The new leg design contrasts the coolness of the metal with the warmth of wood and the stability of the entire unit. The leg insert runs up to the base of the bottom shelf and uses the shelf as primary weight support. The prototype pictured above features a mahogany leg, but the production version will be maple to match the shelves themselves. The small hint of wood at the bottom is a nice design detail. These legs will add $5/leg to the overall cost (as an option over the plastic feet) and are available now.
Pricing: I've been able to create a more fixed pricing chart with the options mentioned above based on the most popular size — the 2X2 (two bays wide X two bays high… 32in total height and 46in width)
Upcoming news: We'll also be transitioning the "branding" a bit so as to better separate the personal/house content with the newer made-to-order furniture and design/build content… so watch this space in the coming week or so for updates. It's good timing now that the CSSU shelving has been better refined and we're wrapping up work on the house itself.
Our friends, Jenny and Peter, started a new venture — The Weekend Press… a letterpress shop in Oakland. I made this unit as a display piece for their shop.
It features the new "Neutral" palette with MDF-core panels which make for a less expensive option over the walnut-ply panels. I'm really liking the contrast of the lacquered-MDF against the gloss white and matte black and it might be my new favorite combination.
When assembling this, I was reminded of how nice it is to work with these materials. The MDF — when lacquered — takes on an almost leather-like quality with a slightly galvanized-looking sheen and the maple is wonderfully figured. Unlike birch (also an option) which is nearly grain-less, the maple has all sorts of fun artifacts including wavy grain and a few knots.
I've also been able to better standardize the selection to 11.5in, 14in and 18in deep shelves with 23in wide "bays". This is a 2X2: 2 bays wide and 2 bays high — the most popular option, it seems.
With the neutral color-way, this 11.5 in deep unit will retail for $375 — a good bit less than the original color-way with walnut panels at $425 in the same size.
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Eszter contacted me through the blog about some new shelves after seeing the prototype we made for the nursery.
What's a bit special about this one is that Eszter is a crazy talented designer here in the Bay Area and it'll be a treat to have these in her space.
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We don't have many details, but there's an Eichler in the adjacent neighborhood going to auction with the starting big at $200K.
It would be great to see this home go to a "owner" and not to a "flipper" who will do unspeakable things to it via a low-budget Home Depot renovation.
Tell your friends (or those that have $200K in cash).
This is a great neighborhood with great neighbors… and there's only so much in a house like this that can need repair. Even if you replaced everything, you'd still be in it for less money that a market-rate home.
Suzanne has done a bit more research and yo can read about it here.
The house across the street is now for sale and there's an open house today!
Check out the listing. The house was built in 1963 and was purchased by an employee of Eichler Homes.
This is a very original Eichler with bits that many people will be looking for, including:
Some things like flooring will obviously need to be replaced, but in the grand scheme of things, this is pretty easy — 3 days and a few thousand dollars will outfit the house in VCT tile per original.
Being built in the early 60s has its advantages as the National Building Code had been revised since the late 50s models. This 1963 model includes:
This would be a great home or a DIYer as nothing is too major and you have a renovator with tools (me!) across the street for tips and what-not.
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David contacted me through the blog (all the way from… Brooklyn) to place an order for a custom set of shelves — narrow and tall and maximixed for books.
The unit is 84in high (7 shelves), 34in wide and 13in deep… specifically made for his space. At 34in wide, the bottom shelves have extra supports in the middle for super-heavy books. He wanted to keep it more in the neutral zone, so we minimized the red used in the piece — in fact, if he gets weary of the red panel, he can flip it for the walnut side. Once assembled and the panels screwed in tightly, it's super sturdy.
Next up — creating a crate to keep it in good shape for transit.
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