I've been looking for a storage/shelving solution for my student bachelor pad for a long time now and have done a lot of research (including Apartment Therapy archive), but haven't found anything that fit my criteria.
I'm looking for a storage solution that replaces the black Metro Rack (dimensions: 36x14x55) in the corner next to the desk. The challenge is to find something stylish that hides the cable clutter and provides space for and easy access to a laptop computer, 2 printer, computer hard drives, audio equipment and possibly a few books. Maximum height around 60 inch. Should be minimalist/contemporary/mid-century in style that works with my rosewood desk, Knoll-style sofa and rosewood room-divider. (There is nothing more beautiful than rosewood!).
Thanks for your help! Roland
Link To All Good Questions
I know you said you want to replace the shelving, but if you were open to working with it you could do what I did (and save a lot of money). My husband has a home recording studio so I know from wires on Metro shelving and the need to hide them away. What I did was buy some flat panels of tapestry (you could use any other fabric too as long as it is heavy enough to hold it's shape and be a really flat panel), finish the edges, put grommets at the top and hang with those small round things that you put keys on. I don't have a photo but they are easily removed when you want to use the equipment on the shelves, and easily put back to hide everything there. It sort of makes the shelf look like a fabric box. I suppose you could do shirred curtains, but I thought that looked stupid. I like the flat, clean panels and they seem to visually work well with the shelves.
If you can cut the panels to be really flat, you can also just use the black clip-on curtain rings that Target carries. Drop the ring part over the top of the vertical support. When you want to open the curtain, you just grab the ring off the pole and drop it over another pole, so that the fabric folds back on itself. Since the rings are the clip kind, you don't have to do grommets.
Or you could do one of those "hang a curtain anywhere" moves with cables as a screen around the shelving.
(It's hard to beat InterMetro for being strong enough to carry all those computer components and friendly toward items that generate heat. Ours lives in closets because it's too useful to part with.)
check out the shelving system from Moss
http://www.mossonline.com/info-exec/display/vitsoe
it's expensive but you can customize it with cabinets, drawers, etc
Sadly, I can't think of any current vendor who does a rosewood anything... so, if in NYC, I'd check the second floor of ABC Carpet & Home for something vintage (if none of MGR's picks above work for you).
But I also like the idea of something metal fitting in with your existing pieces (something like a stripped vintage office credenza) or (although past your height restriction) the Quovis from DWR.
And until you find the right piece, I'd suggest relocating that GORGEOUS screen to in front of your Metro unit. Who knows? That may end up being your best long-term solution, without having to buy anything!
Good luck.
Roland,
You should try looking at Room & Board's "create your own" line at http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/dept.do?dept=RB313
You can pick from different "cube" arrangements and outfit each cube with one of their many choices, such as drawers, shelves, drop down desk, cabinets, file drawers, and the list goes on and on. I am sure you can configure it to suit your needs.
They have an interactive web page that lets you see what the piece will look like as you assemble it. It is available in solid cherry, maple or walnut.
I got the Linear 3, which is about 3' wide by 5' tall with the drop down desk on top and file drawers below.
Good luck!
Alvin
Hi All! Thanks so much for your replies!
I really like the case study Modernica shelving, but suitable custom order units are pricey ($1000+) and take 12(!) weeks for delivery. Shelving by Moss is another expensive alternative. I wish there was a solution below $1000.
Best,
Roland
Sauder furniture (gasp! horrors!) has just introduced a "cube" line of stacking storage. It's actually very attractive. We have a couple of Sauder pieces and they have really, really improved the construction, but more importantly, the appearance of their furniture.
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=994&f=8444
I'm planning to take a trip to the store to look at these pieces from Crate and Barrel.
I was thinking of using the audio cabinet to house my computer equipment in my study.
Rakks (www.rakks.com) is a sub-$1000 solution along the same lines as the Vitsoe modular shelving. I was able to put together an 8' long unit with 8" shelves on either side for a room divider for around $600.
2nd on Rakks. Try the Shelf Shop on 72nd? and 1st.
also online
how about having something built to the wall. painted to match the wall it would blend in and help hide all the equipment and wires. some lumber places will build to your specs. ajo lumber on the upper west side does great work, amsterdam avenue and 101st street.
Maybe ISS...?
http://www.issdesigns.com/
Never tried them, but their stuff seems to be an affordable alternative to Moss' Vitsoe shelving. Worth a shot...?
Patrick's right that those guys at AJO Lumber are good at building to specs. I've used them for several things, and I've liked how they all turned out.
Meanwhile, if you're wanting something to blend with the desk, I can imagine a unit that you have built that's like this:
Imagine a big piece of plywood the same length as the desk with cherry wood veneer on it attached to the wall above the desk. Have black melamine edging put onto the edges of the plywood (or do that part yourself).
Now, imagine a couple of those double-notched metal standards, in that regular steel finish (to match the legs of the desk) attached to that piece of plywood lined up with where the legs of the desk are, right?
The screws that you will have used to attach the board to the wall will be covered up by the standards so they won't show.
Then go ahead and just get black melamine shelving and the steel brackets to keep hold them. Or, if you want those horizontal shelves to match your table top, either find (someone's got them somewhere) black-walnut-colored melamine shelving, or actually stain some lumber really dark. But go ahead and give it two or three good coats of a satin finish polyurethane.
Just a thought.
If you're in the market for some gorgeous reasonably rosewood peices go to C.G. Sparks' website. http://www.cgsparks.com/
I happened to click on a random link a few days ago at Inhabitat blog and was amazed at the price of the sold wood pieces. Some of it rustic, they also sell antiques but alot have beautiful simple lines that would go with any decor such as Arc round table and the Bihar 2 Drawer Dresser. And they practice fair trade policies to boot. They actually had a solid rosewood dining table (Orissa) on sale for around $650! Unfortunately, when I called for shipping prices they said it was backordered until Dec. and they couldn't honor the sale price. The customer service associate was very nice and gave me a follow up call about some of other my other questions she had to research. The only draw back might be shipping from Utah if you're on the east coast. But with some of the other pieces it just might be worth it.
TRY IKEA THEY HAVE PLENTY OF AFFORDABLE STORAGE SOLUTIONS.