QUOTE (Raya L. @ Mar 13 2009, 04:40 PM)

Steve,
Inspirational pics! I like the idea of a narrow table so that one bench could be for eating and the other more "loungey." (I guess your friend didn't go for the narrow table in the end though...?)
Out of my 99 questions, I'll choose one: How did you make and install the new storage in the area under the closet? It almost looks like you pre-built the unit and then put it in, but then... how would you get it through the opening? Would you mind elaborating a bit on this?
Also, I love the drawers under the sofa next to the door. I know drawers "waste" space, but they're so functional! And yours don't look like they wasted much space at that. They really gave me the idea of how a drawer could just be a box with a faceplate (they always seem so mysterious; like how to sew inset sleeves...). How are the bottoms attached? Where did you source the rails (I guess you built sides to mount the rails on... or?)
Uh-oh, looks like I'm down to about 94 now. It was impossible to limit it to one question!
Again, great looking work there, and I really enjoyed being able to see how you went through the mock-up and construction stages.
Raya
My friend eventually went for the full-size table. I wish I'd seen other Burro tables before I built that one; they usually have the front corners cut away to make it easier to get past the table corner while you're sitting down, and maybe I should've done that. Still, she hasn't complained, so I guess all's well.

The new storage area under the closet went in from above. The floor of the coat closet was loose, so I was able to lift it out and pull out the old crummy storage area. I prebuilt the new storage as a light plywood "box", then slid it down into place; it's retained with screws next to the opening. The coat closet floor just sits on top of it. Called for some careful measuring and a number of trial runs, but wasn't too difficult.
Yep, the drawers are just plank boxes with separate plywood faceplates. The faceplates are covered with Formica salvaged from the old table. The drawer bottoms are 1/4 inch Masonite, varnished to improve their water resistance. The bottom fits into a groove in the sides. The drawer slides were purchased from the local hardware store. The slides mount to a skeletal frame under the bench: A couple uprights on each side of the drawer is all you really need; the tops of the uprights are held by screws down through the top of the bench; the bottoms are screwed to wood blocks Bondo'ed and screwed to the trailer floor.