[Ginge]

Here's some photos of my project in progress. This room is a combination hobby room / study room. It's 15' L x 6' wide and is located in the basement of my house.

I had intended to furnish it using Gallant and Effektive products, but decided that the kitchen line up would work just as well and was priced right.

This is my first time installing cabinets. This project is part of a larger basement project that saw me framing, wiring, plumbing, sheet rocking, flooring...basically everything except the plastering was my first time.

Here's the layout after mounting the wall cabinets. I used the rail system and it could not have been easier. I also picked up the template jig for drilling the handles which made the job of lining them up simple.

[Ginge]

I decided to rig my own under cabinet lighting using 2 banks of 48" dual fluorescent lights. I had pre-wired a socket that is activated by a wall switch ganged to the overhead light wall switch. This meant converting the lights from a hard-wire to a plug in; not complicated. I did have to leave the back off the cabinet. I could have cut a hole and extended the socket box, but this was easier.

[Ginge]

Another pic of the under cabinet lights and the other end of the room.

Due to the large gap between base cabinets (approx 8'), I did not want to just drop a counter top across that span. In the first pic, you can see the 2x4 frame that bridges that gap. I made a similar frame for the small end of the "L" shaped counter. This is attached to the wall studs using 3-1/2" lag bolts. It's pretty solid.

	PIC PIC = Partner In Crime

[Ginge]

Here's the base of the counter top. It's two sheets of 5/8' particle board, 24-1/2" deep, and running the full length of the long and short walls.

I took a while to decide on a finished counter top. Laminate does not come in 15' lengths, so if I used that, I would have a seam. I thought about ceramic tile, but I wanted a very smooth surface, and was also worried that my painting could stain the grout. I selected a laminate floor 'tile'. It was fairly pricey, but since I was doing a relatively small area, I could get away with three boxes. Now, there is EXACTLY the right amount of tiles in three boxes to do this project. Since home depot does not sell individual tiles, if I screw up, I'm out $100 for a new box! I'll post some pics when its done.

I tidied up the PC station using a couple of grommets in behind the monitor and the corner cabinet. This gets all of the wires out of the way. I'm switching to a wireless keyboard and mouse, so that will be two less wires on the counter. The corner cabinet will need some kind of induced air cooling. For now, I leave the door open when the PC is running. The plan is to install a vent down on the lower right side and a pair of exhaust fans on the upper right.

[Susan]

Nice! I'm so jealous! When do you expect to finish? You should enter this project in the 'What's Your Story?' contest. The first entries are accepted from July 18th through August 14th, I think, but there will be two more entry periods all the way into October.

IKEA Gift Cards are the prize for DIYers!

Susan

[Ginge]

Thanks Susan, I wasn't aware of the contest. For sure I will enter if I can get it done on time. It just needs to stop raining here so I can start cutting outside again!

edit: Ah, I just saw the contest was for US residents only. Come on Ikea Canada , do something for the Canucks!

In addition to the counter, I am trying to make a magnetic backsplash using sheets of metal HVAC duct.

Address:3200 Sweden Way Richmond, British Columbia V6V 2A5 Telephone: (604) 273-2051 Store hours:Monday to Friday: 10am - 9pm Saturday: 9am - 9pm Sunday: 10am - 6pm IKEA Store Directory Entry for IKEA Richmond Canada

[Ginge]

Here are the tiles. I think they are meant to look like leather?

PC relocated to corner cabinet, which is cooled by 4 x 120mm case fans hooked to a speed controller.



testing the fans before installing:


Corner cabinet keeps this mess of wires out of sight:


All done. Just in time to put my house on the market and move again. Army life. Gotta love it.