FFNYC Interiors - Custom & Refinishing

For the Lobby that I gut renovated we were looking at ways to save some money. I wanted to turn the lonely condo lobby into an inviting area that brought the community together. I was looking for a strong, sturdy bookcase. Room & Board had a visually appealing option with a wood top, but at 78 inches the cost was $1,300. Instead, I turned to IKEA’s Vittsjo series, which features a simple steel structure that I really like. I went to the lumberyard, bought some wood, sanded it, stained it, and finished it with wax. We successfully replicated the look of the Room & Board bookcase, and the entire project came in under $400—saving $900.

Talia wanted a long storage bench for her entryway to organize shoes, scarves, and other items. While built-ins are a popular choice, I find them limiting since they can't be moved or restyled. Talia was open to my suggestion of using two freestanding cabinets instead, which I designed with large drawers made from Oak and stained in a rich Teak color to complement a nearby vintage Danish sideboard. To achieve the 130” length she needed, my builder recommended creating two 65” benches. This approach not only provides the desired storage but also offers flexibility to rearrange or repurpose the benches in other parts of the house later on.

Deb wanted a vintage TV cabinet for her living room and provided a generous budget but with a strict size limit of 60 inches. Finding a sideboard that met her requirements wasn’t easy, as 5-foot options are quite rare. After some searching, I came across a high-quality, used sideboard on Craigslist for just $200. This left plenty of room in the budget for refinishing and customizing the piece to match her style. Once we started the refinishing process, we discovered it had beautiful brass accents hidden under years of wear, which added an unexpected touch of elegance. The result was a unique and character-filled TV cabinet that perfectly suited her space and needs.