So.....I left you last time with this sneak peek of our Modern Country Style Attic-Chic cupboards in our Master Bedroom.
Quite a few of you asked me about fitting free-standing furniture up here. Let me quickly take you back to the horror that was there before. See the odd hole in the wall on the right of the photo below (images of before we moved in)? It's a cupboard that's been buil lt over the stairs but hadn't been finished properly. We wanted to tie in the doors that we were going to put on the front of that cupboard with whatever else we chose.
Then look at the rest of the space. It's Awkward (notice the capital A? That means VERY awkward indeeeeeeed!)
There's the beginning of a slopey roof, and an alcove, not to mention that the floor is totally wonky!
We did toy with the idea of various freestanding options but fitted cupboards seemed to fit in better with the look I had in mind AND seemed to fit the space better too.
Once I'd looked at all my inspiration images, and then looked again, and again....I began to form a plan of what I liked and didn't like .
I wanted:
- solid wood painted white cupboards;
- skirting board running along the bottom;
- detailing at the top;
- an extra row of little cupboards at the top for storage but I didn't want them to go right up to the ceiling (too 'fitted');
- Shaker style door fronts with beading to match the main door of the room;
- large wooden door knobs.
I want....I want....!! Picky? Me?!!
I am aware that these lists sound like a spoilt child's Christmas rant but I really have a thing about getting things perfect house-wise. It was a huge upheaval having this work done so I wanted to make sure it was right first time.
Mr Modern Country bears the brunt of my decorating weirdness. I'm sorry, my gorgeous lovely. x
We had huge fun designing our ideal wardrobe together with two full length mirrors facing each other so you can see your front and back at the same time (like magic), a shoe cupboard, a space for all our different clothes - and then extra cupboards at the top for paperwork, crafty bits and bobs, things to keep out of the way of little curious eyes, and miscellaneous rubbish. :-)
We got in quotes for having them built and they varied hugely. Nearly £5000 between the lowest and highest. We went for a middlish price with someone who'd been recommended to us and on the whole were really happy with his work.
Is it just me, or do you feel awkward making sure things are done really well when people come in to do work? There were a couple of times when I didn't think a shelf was fitted quite right or I noticed a slight chip and wanted it done again. I feel really bad for asking but I know it will irritate me for ages if it's left.
I think it pays to stick with the standard you want (even if you drive everyone around you quite bananas!). At least that's what I tell myself!! I am all ears if you think I'm sounding unreasonable.
I am sooooooo pleased with the result.
There's enough room for everything we need. No more clothes or shoes need to be on show. Hurrah!
Wait....what's that?
What do you mean you demand to see inside?
Go on then....just for you.... :-)
So.....what do you think? I'm dying to hear....
Coming up next, I'll be sharing how I put this room together....
I want your cupboards!!! They look fabulous. I love that they don't go to the ceiling and that you have little cupboards along the top. I really like the simplicity of them. And how neat are they inside too! Very impressive. Lots of ideas for when the time comes for making our cupboard/wardrobes. Fabulous post as ever. Have a good day, Michelle xx
ReplyDeleteI'd say it turned out beautifully! Perfect marriage of form and function. I'm a little jealous as I currently have a vast dearth of storage in my master bedroom (and every other room in my house for that matter)
ReplyDeleteWell done!
Alison
Well done on getting just what you wanted! They look lovely and I don't think you should worry asking for details to be put right - you are the customer and you wouldn't buy faulty goods in a shop. My deal with this issue is to be a bit finickity but with lots of smlles and cups of tea and biscuits and thankyous!!xx
ReplyDeleteLovely. You really made the most of your space and they look great! Well done. liz
ReplyDeleteThey are so amazing!! Look at all that room! You did an excellent job on designing these, they are gorgeous!! I don't think that you were unreasonable at all! You are paying them and you should have it done the way you wanted it.
ReplyDeleteAmazing, love the exposed hinges! Looks just right in your home...fabulous! Janell
ReplyDelete"Clutter is the enemy of beauty". Disagree! If done well, clutter can be beautiful, colourful, full of soul and bursting with life! I don't do it well, but I've seen it done really well and I aspire to it! xxx
ReplyDeleteI think they turned out great! I like the idea of putting the mirrors on the insides of the doors :)
ReplyDeleteThose cupboards are gorgeous! They look like they are original to the house. I loooove built-ins. Your bedroom is so charming!
ReplyDeleteThe cupboards are beautiful. I love the simple style and the large wood knobs. No more awkward spaces! It's okay to want things perfect and yes, it is hard to ask sometimes. Good job for doing it!
ReplyDeleteThey look so lovely! How great to have all of that wonferful storage now. Enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteReally nice! They look like they've always been there (in a good way!).
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about not wanting to "complain" when somebody's doing something for you and it's not quite right.
What a transformation! this turned out great!
ReplyDelete~*~*~*~*Whoa!! Wow!!! Oh my goodness!!~*~*~* LOVE it!!It turned out so lovely~*I want your room!!! *~*~ ;)Rachel~*~*~*~*
ReplyDeleteCrikey Sarah, loving the cupboards and amazed that inside everything is neat and tidy and beautifully folded. My wardrobes (fitted) - and I have two (Mr J and P has a mere 1) - are stuffed to the gunnells (is that how you spell it?) of clothes and STUFF. I also have a torch (yes, a torch) to see what's lurking inside - no swish interior cupboarding lighting pour moi!!
ReplyDeletePerfect cupboards- loads of essentail space for everthing- all stored nicely out of sight - and they suit the room's attic shape, and the Edwardian era, so well. I have had some similar cupboards built in one of my upstairs rooms - modelled on original cupboards in the house next door to us - we are Edwardian semi-detached! That's a great look you've achieved in your beautiful bedroom. - Angela
ReplyDeleteOooooh... they look lovely!! I think you did a great job!
ReplyDeleteDear Sarah, This posting has given new meaning to 'cupboard love'!! Your fitted/ unfitted look is absolutely perfect and is clearly immensely practical as well as beautiful to look at. You were right to persevere and insist on the highest of standards and the end result is wonderful. You must be thrilled.
ReplyDeleteIt turned out great! I want it in my home! I know you will fully enjoy your new cupboard.
ReplyDeleteI love it! The cupboards turned out beautifully.
ReplyDeleteChrissy
Wow. You did a great job designing it and I think it looks amazing. Money well spent for sure. It is stylish, modern, and timeless. Lovely!!
ReplyDeleteYour cupboards look gorgeous! So fresh and bright with such lovely detail. Well done you!
ReplyDeleteThis is fabulous! SO much storage and they are so very pretty!
ReplyDeleteXO
Kristin
so pretty and clean... you're making me want to redo something!
ReplyDeleteI think I`m in love with your blog and home!
ReplyDeleteThe wardrobes are amazing!
I`m off to see more!
DEBBIE MOSS
I think I`m in love with your blog and home!
ReplyDeleteThe wardrobes are amazing!
I`m off to see more!
DEBBIE MOSS
I.Am.Smitten! I love, I adore those cabinets! Beautiful lines, wonderful color and amazing space.
ReplyDeleteLooks great! I'm a new follower from a blog hop! Would love for you to check out my blog and follow back!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the woodwork you did! WOW what an improvement!
ReplyDeleteI'm new here from Tag a long Tuesday! I hope you'll come visit me over at Candace Creations! :)
http://candacecreations.blogspot.com
Those wardrobes look brilliant! I know what you mean about free standing versus fitted, I always go for free standing normally but if you can have the practicality of fitted with the look of free standing you have the best of both worlds!! Lizzie x
ReplyDeleteYour cupboards look fantastic.
ReplyDeleteKathy
Came over from Jami's, was going to lurk and noticed the no lurking sign...So, I love what you have done, great idea with the mirrors and that door is to die for:)
ReplyDeleteI am in love with your built ins!
ReplyDeleteGREAT cupboards...and I'm real picky too when it comes to what I want!
ReplyDelete*´¨)
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(¸.*´ (¸.*´* LORI LYNN *
So happy I stopped by!! Can't wait to see the finished room!
ReplyDeleteYour new cabinets look awesome!
ReplyDeleteThey looks amazing! I love them! I can see why you might feel weird about checking in on the workers and questioning things. You're paying them so you want it to be perfect!
ReplyDeleteLooks so fresh and new now. Very good job, doors are not easy at all. So time consuming and they have to be exact or it won't work. Well done, tami from the high street cottage
ReplyDeleteAMAZING!! SIMPLY AMAZING!!! Did I say amazing?? lol! I'm totally envious..... Happy WW!
ReplyDeletexoxo laurie
Well of course, FABULOUS! Jacqueline
ReplyDeleteYou can never have too much storage. Love it!
ReplyDelete-Danielle
Good thing you stuck to your guns, cause they are perfect!
ReplyDeleteTheresa
aka:TOT
Clapping my hands here,
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't even look like the same space...you did an amazing jobs and good for you for getting right first time around,
Love Kristina x
Magnificent! Love the custom cupboards!
ReplyDeleteSarah,
ReplyDeleteI'm a wee bit late on this comment, but I've been going through your archives. Love your built-ins! Very nicely done and I'm sure you've been putting them to good use. You're a lucky lady to have such a nice custom closet ~ I'm envious :)
Cindy