How much should this cost?

[peppy]

I know it's impossible, but I need a ballpark guess.

Like this, but 2 desks instead of 1 and a Silestone top. The top will be about $1000, how about the rest.

We are using spruce.

[LeeH]

You can see about half of the book case in this photo. The center of the doors being the mid point. They're about 9.5' wide by 7.25' tall. We paid $3000 to have this one built and installed in 2004.

[peppy]

Thanks Lee, what kind of wood is that?

Love the picture.

[Noah930]

pep, we had a carpenter build us something about half the size of what you have depicted. It's painted white, so I think he just went with birch plywood. Our cost was about $1500. Other carpentry outfits wanted anywhere from $3000-5000 for something similar, though.

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by peppy

Thanks Lee, what kind of wood is that?

Love the picture.

No idea what kind of wood. I was impressed with myself for tracking down the cost!

Art is a Leroy Neiman serigraph. "LeMans Grand Prix d'Endurance." Cost about as much as the book cases, but I've never regretted spending the money.

[911SauCy]

My dad is a cabinet maker.

According to the first photo, depending on hardware, counter top, door and drawer construction you can be anywhere from $5-10k

[peppy]

Ok they installed the base on Friday and I'm ready to paint. Where do I stop painting? Do I paint the inside of the drawers and cabinets?






The desk top is a black granite and then bookshelves will go on to the ceiling.

[gacook]

I think you stop painting now. That is beautiful wood.

[look 171]

Beautiful. Looking great, I am sure once painted, it will jump out at you.

Make sure your counter top (together with sub top is 1 1/2") will clear the electrical cover plate. Now its time to move it. Is that enough outlets? One of my concerns is not having enough outlets for your permanent connection to your computer. I hate to have cords running on the desk top. How about phone jacks?

[peppy]

Middle cabinet has 2 gang receptacle and 4 cat 5e cables. the top will have holes in it to accommodate the wires.

[herr_oberst]

What kind of wood is that? Looks like Birch and Poplar? (I just noticed that you said Spruce in the OP) If it was me, I'd paint it a nice, neutral off white.

[peppy]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

What kind of wood is that? Looks like Birch and Poplar? (I just noticed that you said Spruce in the OP) If it was me, I'd paint it a nice, neutral off white.

You're right about the wood. We are painting it the same color as the trim, but I'm wondering how much of the inside do I paint.

I know I paint the front of the drawer, but how about the sides and the inside? Do I pull the drawer out and paint behind it?

Why am I so confused with this?

[Zeke]

I never paint anything but the face of the drawer and I wrap the paint around to the drawer box. If the drawer fronts detach, it's a no brainer. On the cabinet doors, I paint the backside and I wrap the paint around the edge of the opening. No paint on shelves, but I do use a clear sealer on all the remaining wood that is not painted.

This is pretty much the accepted way on all cabinets with the exception of ones with glass panels in the doors. In that case the cabinet box is viewable from the outside. A nice touch is to paint the interiors of such cabinets a different shade.

Your exposed shelving can be treated the same way. Any paint on a shelf should be left to cure for a month before placing books or other similar objects on them. But, after a week or so you can lay down some waxed paper before loading the cabinet. Otherwise you may experience sticking and dents where the edge of the book's cover bore weight on the surface.

[Baz]

Now Peppy, you need a Leroy Neiman as well.....

[peppy]

Zeke, that is exactly what I needed.

I think the painting would look sharp in my office.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Your exposed shelving can be treated the same way. Any paint on a shelf should be left to cure for a month before placing books or other similar objects on them. But, after a week or so you can lay down some waxed paper before loading the cabinet. Otherwise you may experience sticking and dents where the edge of the book's cover bore weight on the surface.

He lucked out, bacause he's in SC so oil base paint may still be available to prevent sticking to everything. I painted my kids bookshelf and waited for two months and it still sticks to all the pictures frames and books. What a PITA.
Even since then, everything is Maple with clear pre-cat lacquer.

[peppy]

Originally Posted by look 171

He lucked out, bacause he's in SC so oil base paint may still be available to prevent sticking to everything. I painted my kids bookshelf and waited for two months and it still sticks to all the pictures frames and books. What a PITA.
Even since then, everything is Maple with clear pre-cat lacquer.

I have learned my lesson, I use only oil based paints on any trim (Davis brand).

[A930Rocket]

When did NC become part of SC? We'll have to call it just Carolina now.

Originally Posted by look 171

He lucked out, because he's in SC...

[look 171]

Haha. You know I am blind, can't type, no proof reading and assume all you guys are from the same place out there somewhere in the Carolinas.

[peppy]

Progress...desk top will be installed Thursday.