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GHID recently met a young family in need of some interior design help – one of the areas on their list was their back entry and need for some much needed organization and storage space. After a bit of brainstorming we mentioned the possibility for a custom built-in unit, an idea which quickly became a reality.

We began the process by asking our clients a handful of questions in order to understand how this unit would best accommodate their active lifestyle and storage needs.

After a bit of research and info gathering we began drawing up a few sketches of the proposed piece. A few drawings and a client presentation later, we agreed upon a unit similar to that of the sketch below.

Rough sketch of custom built-in

Before Images

The client’s needed a space for their children’s backpacks, coats, shoes and miscellaneous items – whereas the husband wanted a space to set and charge his ipad and cell phone. We were also tasked to design the unit with a compartment large enough to hold the client’s ironing board and broom, and a drawer large enough to hold her purse.

Before

Before

Before

Built-In Drawings

Here’s where we draw our rough sketched down to scale…

Garrison Hullinger Interior Design

Garrison Hullinger Interior Design

Here you see a 3-D model/elevation of the piece (without hardware)…

Garrison Hullinger Interior Design

Working with Existing Elements

It’s important to work with the home’s existing elements, such as cabinetry/crown and molding style, paint colors as well as hardware (which we’ll talk about a little later on) when designing a custom built-in piece. This is especially true if you want the piece to feel like it’s been there since the home was first built.

For this particular built-in, because we wanted the piece to reflect the home’s architectural style and date in which it was originally built, we opted to match the new cabinetry/crown molding to that of the existing (as seen in the images below).

Close up of existing laundry cabinets

Rejuvenation Hardware

We selected hardware that complimented the client’s existing hardware, found in both the kitchen and laundry room (the two rooms that flank the newly installed custom built-in unit). All hardware was sourced through one of our favorite vendors, Portland-based Rejuvenation.

Pull: Plain Bin Pull in Oil Rubbed Bronze

Knob: Saturn Cabinet Knob in Oil Rubbed Bronze

Coat Hooks: Classic Double Coat Hook in Oil Rubbed Bronze & Classic Single Coat Hook in Oil Rubbed Bronze

Rejuvenation Hardware

Installation of Custom Built-in

We had the pleasure of working with our go-to custom cabinetry company, Vancouver Washington based Custom Interior Spaces. CIS does wonderful work and once again, we are so pleased with their craftsmanship and customer service. Check out their great work!

Don from CIS preps area for installation

After Images

The piece turned out awesome and our client’s are so happy with the finished product! Thanks again to CIS for another job well done!

Are you thinking about building a custom unit in your home?