Office Cabinet Design Help...

[Andre Rivard]

Thanks for all of the great information I have gathered in the few months I have been lurking on SMC. I find myself spending more and more time on the site... rather addicting.

Need some help... my first time building cabinets, and don't know what I should do with the faceframe between the two bookshelves. I will be adding low voltage lighting as well as crown molding, but need to come up with a design on the 'bridge'.


I thought about 2 things:

1. 1 x 6 that starts out flat for 6" or so, then cut a slow radius up 2" and flat to the other side then repeat the same slow radius to the 6" flat.

2. a simple 1 x 4 straight board that joins the 2 faceframes.

I included a photo of the base cabinets, so you can see the style that I built them... not sure what you would call it, but it is pretty basic, so I was thinking option #2 may be best???

Any help or comments are greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

[Dave Falkenstein]

Nice looking job. Since there are no curved pieces anywhere else that I can see, I would choose your option 2, and keep everything straight and square.

[Robert Malone]

I can't see any profile in your cabinets, so as you said, simple and straight.
May I suggest track light behind the valance to hilite what may be hung on the wall, with it's own switch.

[tod evans]

andre, i`d go with the curve......but i`ve got issues with straight lines .
do a mock-up out of scrap or cardboard and see what suits you...02 tod

[Scott Parks]

Andre,

Looking good so far! I have the same dilemma on a bench/desk/bookshelf unit that I'm in the middle of. I found this in the current issue of workbench. http://www.workbenchmagazine.com/mai...ooknook01.html

The bridge between the two shelf units is narrower, and wrapped in crown. I like this, because it breaks up the straight line across the top, and gives it more dimension. On my project, I have curved top rails, which I think will look fine with a straight bridge.

Either way, I'm sure it will look great when done!