stackable modular modern cabinets for living room

[protool]

Well, after I told my lovely wife that this would take 3 months (in summer 2007), I've finally finished a set of semi-built-ins for our living room. All told it took me 19 months. I suppose I was a bit off in my estimation.



There are 9 total cabinets. The overall size of the installation is about 8'x8' and they are 14" deep. The sizes are:
Top Row: 2' 4' 2'
2nd Row: 5' 3'
3rd Row: 4' 4'
Bottom Row: 3' 5'








The construction is a 3D torsion box in that each wall is a separate MDF torsion box joined at the corners by half-lap joints. Then the frame was skinned with 1/4" Birch Playwood. Finally, I built some poplar face frames which are joined on the 45 with a biscuit. This face frame was glued and clamped to the box. I sanded, applied a stain conditioner and then stained them with oil-based stain. They were then rubbed down with paste wax. There is about 40' of white tube lights snaking behind the cabinets. I blacked out the spots where the lights run vertically and where they cross from one cabinet to another using black gaffers tape.

Here's the pieces for one of the assemblies - in total, there were about 900 dados cut. I burned out 1 radial arm saw in the process.




















Total cost (including a new radial arm saw from craigslist) was about $700.

More and larger photos are here:
http://davidcox.smugmug.com/gallery/8045549_RDtvw

[pelligrini]

That's a really sharp looking project. Your wife should be pleased.
Even with the slight delay.

[Whaler]

That is impressive. 19 months isn't bad it would take me 19 years.

[jeepjohn]

That is awesome!! I really like the modern modular look and that was a great idea to accent it with the lighting. The final look is really solid and looks very heavy... The torsion box skeleton lightens things up a bit I'm sure. What a work of modern art, sculpturesque if I do say so.

GREAT JOB!!!

[cgallery]

That looks great. Did you cover the frames with veneered plywood? Did you add those mitered frames to the front only, or also the back? Any more shots of those steps?

[protool]

yes, birch 1/4" veneered plywood. The mitered frames are only on the front. I didn't take any pics of the later process

[LCHIEN]

that' looks really nice - looks massive and the lights give it a futuristic glow.

[lrogers]

The end product was certainly worth the wait. That is a very "clean & modern" design.

[unclecritic]

Very stunning... I have been asked to do something similar at home but i get to paint them... I love the design... And the assembly pics

[Pappy]

Creative would be an understatement. With the back lighting it makes a fantastic statement.