My old pine hutch—4' wide x 6' high x 2' deep—holds at least as
much dishware as a 10' run of cabinets, with room for linens and a
junk drawer besides! A built-in buffet or sideboard offers as much
storage and display space, usually in an even smaller footprint.
Perhaps the most romantic of built-ins, the inglenook is both
a throwback to American Colonial times (and earlier precedents)
and a signature element of Arts & Crafts-era rooms. In modern
parlance, an inglenook is a seat or bench built in next to a fire-
place—either flanking it or, more commonly, as a pair of two
facing benches perpendicular to the hearth.
The best built-ins are solidly constructed from quality materi-
als. Design starts with a clear sense of how the finished piece
will fit into the room and how it can complement the style and
era of the house. You can get good results from a local carpenter
with the right know-how, from a custom cabinet shop, or through
an interior designer who works with a skilled woodworking
team. Quality and prices vary considerably.
Consider how and where the piece will be built. A cabinet-
maker, for instance, will usually create the piece in a shop, then
custom fit it after assembly. A carpenter may build it right in
your living room or bedroom, which turns your house into a job
site. Ask about construction techniques, too: Whether you’ve
hired a local carpenter or a high-end cabinetmaker, specify the
use of mortise-and-tenon construction rather than butt joints
or splines. As with freestanding furniture, the stronger the
joinery, the longer the built-in piece will last.
TOP LEFT Crown Point Cabinetry created a cozy seat with hidden
storage inside, built into the wainscot and window. INSET Its cushion
covers a hinged door. TOP RIGHT The familiar window seat was
interpreted as built-in wall furniture anchored by a writing cabinet.
(Design by Sally DeGan, spacecraftarch.com.) ABOVE The Arts &
Crafts Revival breakfast nook by the Kennebec Company is done in
quarter-sawn oak. OPPOSITE For a Tudor Revival house, a custom
bench with period detailing transforms a nondescript corner into
a built-in window seat, concealing a large radiator at the same time.