Welcome to the next episode of our new series #MONDAYWITHEXPERT, in which we dispel your doubts on topics related to construction and interior design. In today's article, we talk about custom furniture with Anna Garbacz of pracownia stolarska Deer Wood.
Furniture created in the Deer Wood studio
Photo: Zagórny Studio
Anna Garbacz - she started her career in the furniture industry in 2009. She began by designing kitchen spaces with time expanding the range of furniture. At Deer Wood she has been honing her skills since 2019 as a senior designer. In this position, she shares her knowledge and experience, and advises on organizing living spaces for both individual and business clients.
Furniture created in the Deer Wood studio
Photo: Zagórny Studio
How does the process of designing custom furniture look like?
Anna Garbacz: One of the first steps is a meeting between the designer and the client. At that time we discuss the scope of the development, the functional layout, select finishing materials for the development and countertops, as well as additional equipment that should be included in the scope of implementation. This is also the moment to select household appliances.
As a rule, the design process begins after an inventory at the premises or after the submission of a complete interior design in consultation with an architect. Based on the arrangements with the client and the downloaded dimensions, design documentation is developed, including projections, views and overview visualizations necessary for the implementation of the order. A draft version of the design is made available to the client both electronically and discussed at a meeting. This is the moment when possible changes and corrections can be made. The corrected design is submitted for final approval. After the investor's approval, the work is accepted through the so-called project acceptance protocol. The developed material then goes to the implementation department.
Furniture created in the Deer Wood studio
Photo: Zagórny Studio
How long does it take to create a furniture development?
Anna: The execution time largely depends on the amount of furniture and finishing materials used. On average, it is estimated that you need to spend about 9-11 weeks from the date of pre-production measurement at the premises with the scope of development such as for example kitchen, hall, bathroom, bedroom, study, living room.
How much does it cost and what influences the price?
Anna: The price varies depending on what will be included in a running meter of furniture. Will it be a cabinet with a shelf, or maybe with drawers? The type of material used and its finish, as well as the style of the fronts, will also affect the cost. Therefore, prices are developed individually for a given project.
Furniture created in the Deer Wood studio
Photo: Zagórny Studio
How to create a built- ins under a bevel?
Anna: Such a development can be created, based on a well-measured bevel and the use of spacers, which will make it easier to make the furniture. When creating a closet, it is worth using sliding door systems. If, on the other hand, you want to have opening fronts, it is worth remembering the right side. The doors should open from the slant, not on the slant.
Which material is better for built-ins, wood or mdf board?
Anna: When it comes to a commonly used and flexible material for fronts, it is mdf board. It leads the way among furniture materials because it can be given various shapes, milling and styling. We can also choose from a variety of finishes, such as varnish in matte, semi-matte or gloss, or veneer or PVC film. Mdf board will work well as a material for creating furniture in both modern and classic styles. Customers most often choose it in lacquered finish, among other things, because of its resistance to high temperatures and moisture.
For built-in made of wood we can use such species as oak, alder, birch, etc. This gives us a beautiful and timeless piece of furniture that can be made in many styles. Wooden built-ins can be painted with stains and paints or oiled. However, one must reckon with the natural characteristics of this material such as knots, porosity, varied grain or the possibility of oxidation and discoloration of wooden elements over time.
Furniture created in the Deer Wood studio
Photo: Zagórny Studio
Is it possible to create built -ins with curved walls?
Anna: It all depends on the degree of curvature. For an aesthetically pleasing effect, I recommend that you invest in leveling the surface. Another solution is to use the so-called blends on the side or top contact, but only on the condition that the curved walls are within slight deviations from the norm.
What are the characteristics of creating a corner development?
Anna: In such an arrangement, we most often use a corner cabinet as a connecting element between a string of cabinets on one side of the furniture and a string of cabinets on the other. In this way we create an L-shaped or U-shaped built-in.
Furniture created in the Deer Wood studio
Photo: Zagórny Studio
Is it possible to create a kitchen development up to the ceiling?
Anna: Absolutely. We canmake the cabinets for the full height of the room, taking into account the distance blends from the ceiling. In this way we avoid collisions with, for example, ceiling lighting or problems with opening the cabinets due to the placement of hanging lamps.
Furniture created in the Deer Wood studio
Photo: Zagórny Studio
Check out the previous conversation in the series #MONDAYWITHEXPERT and the projects made by the pracownia stolarska Deer Wood.
