First of all- holy cow. We just had a crazy earthquake a few minutes ago. Very strong! It was completely unexpected for our area (we’ve never had a strong one before). The epicenter was right outside of Richmond (only about 35 miles from our house) and it registered about a 5.9! We’ve even heard from friends up in NY who felt it. Miraculously nothing fell off the walls or broke, but the whole house shook violently and it was insanely loud (we all gathered under a steel-enforced doorway and stared at each other). So yes, we were all shaken up by it but very thankful that we’re ok and hope that everyone else who experienced it is too.
Now for the cabinets. We promised to share all of the other places we hunted/solutions we considered when it came to the office built-ins (mentioned here) – because our thrift store cabinets definitely weren’t the first things we found. And we figure since not everyone can stumble upon six cabs for six bucks (uh, we never even thought that was possible until this recent discovery) we hoped that detailing a few other options that we considered might help anyone else who can’t find secondhand cabinets that work for them. So here we go, on a virtual cabinet-hunting whirlwind of sorts…
Our first stop was actually the Richmond Habitat for Humanity ReStore, but we didn’t find much in the way of cabinets. We did find that Clara loves the breeze from a big industrial fan.
And that they had this crazy big leather / zebra-print lounger thing if anyone’s interested. Tres practical for storytime, no?
The cabinet situation though was almost enough to make us give up on the ReStore entirely (everything was too tall or too wide and we couldn’t find six identical cabinets (or three identical double-wide-ones) that would work to make our wall of built-ins look related enough (and not like a mismatched secondhand cabinet sale). They did put us on a notification list in case anything that matched our needs came in, which was nice (never knew they did that).
So next we dragged the kiddos (yes, Burger included) to Lowe’s and Home Depot to see if their stock cabinets could do the trick. They had a lot of affordable-ish options for unfinished cabinets in a slew of shapes and sizes. Our rough math put us at about a $300 investment for three double-wide cabinets (to create left, middle, and right cabinets with two open spaces for our chairs along the built-in wall like this). Then we could have just painted them and topped them with a wood counter, which wouldn’t have been too bad for a wall of built-ins and a nice long two-person desk (around $400 for two desks or something custom built-in along an entire wall sounded about right I guess).
The only hitch in our plan were the cabinet sizes. Base cabinets were the perfect depth for a standard counter (24″) but their toe-kick made them too high (35″) for our chairs (27″). We contemplated adding casters to our chairs to make them higher, but weren’t sold on the idea (especially because 2″ casters might be cool, but 4″ casters would be a bit much for our chairs). So we looked at 30″ upper cabinets instead, but at only 12″ deep it’d make for either a super narrow desk or cabinets that floated a foot away from the wall. Definitely something we could remedy by buying additional lumber, but again, not ideal.
Then it was time to do some Craigslist surfing, but nothing turned up in the way of cabinets that would be the right depth or height off the bat (and we worried about sacrificing stability and making things look a little – uh, shady- by trying to cut something down or build it out). If we had found something super cheap or almost perfect (like our much-shorter-than-average $6 ReStore cabinets) we would definitely have pounced on them. Even for around $100 for the set. But nothing with the right dimensions came up after a few consecutive weeks of checking back.
Then we turned to Ana-White.com to see if we could find any awesome plans to build something ourselves (like the plans that inspired our giant console table build). There were definitely a few workable options, but we realized that a lot of the plans would cost more than $30 per cabinet (thanks to lumber, hardware, hinges, and interior fittings) – and because we noticed that many secondhand cabinets on craigslist and in thrift stores were under $30 (and some were priced waaaay under that), it made us wonder if we’d actually spend more building something than retrofitting something existing.
Next we checked out Ikea. From their website, it looked like we could build their cabinets without a toe-kick, making them the perfect height (around 28-30″ instead of 35″+, which would be too tall for our existing chairs (even if we added casters to them). Score! And we all know Ikea has tons of customization options, so it was starting to feel like a perfect solution… even if it was a bit pricier – roughly about $500 if I did my math right, since we definitely wanted doored cabinets over open shelving (for Clara reasons along with the general desire to very roughly mimic the look of the base cabinets from our built-ins – though not exactly). We were actually pretty invested in this being a good solution, so I started mapping it out using their online planner tool (technically for kitchens) since we were planning a stop there after our visit with Cat, Travis, Elsa and their new son Edison.
But that trip to Ikea never happened, thanks to our decision to give the Alexandria Habitat For Humanity ReStore a chance while out of town. Though even that trip started off somewhat discouraging. They certainly had more cabinets than our ReStore in Richmond…
…but the prices weren’t necessarily screaming “take me home” at first. Yowsa.
Of course, that was until we came across the ones in the very back with $1 stickers on them that screamed “You’d be an idiot not to take us home. We’re six friggin dollars!” And the rest, as they say, is history.
Well, not totally history – there’s still lots to do to these puppies. But that’s a story (and a project) for another day. Someday soon hopefully. You know Sherry and her propensity to paint anything that doesn’t move…
So in summary, it was harder than we thought to find cabinets that were deep enough (24″) and not too tall (over 30″) and we ended up checking two thrift stores, two home improvement stores, an online build-it-yourself website, a Swedish warehouse, and the list of a man named Craig. The cost of the project ranged from around $300-$500 at most places that actually had things that might work (not including a countertop), which was definitely making us sweat a little. Custom built-ins can obviously add function and value to a house, but unlike adding a patio to a monkey-grass-riddled side yard, it somehow felt a bit more like a rushed gamble to spend half of 1K on a desk, at least for cheap-os like us (who built our current desk from an old bathroom door). So we’re glad we took our time and eventually came across something around 95% cheaper. The lesson: hold out if you can, and leave no stone (or store) unturned (unvisited?). Whenever we dive in too soon we get all nervous and twitchy and sometimes even lay awake wondering if we rushed into something that might not be the best thing for our house/lifestyle in the long run. So there you go.
What have you hunted down after visiting a bunch of stores or googling a ton of options? Is there some sort of magic number (like five places) that usually results in a major score? Have you been searching for something for months or even years that continues to allude you? Isn’t it funny how the perfect thing is always in the last place you look? Probably because once you find it you finally stop looking.
Psst- The lady wife did a fun little interview about how our blog has grown and revealed a lot of behind the scenes blogging and book-writing info for anyone interested right here (it’s long, but full of tons of juicy stuff, at least in my humble husband opinion). We’re also over on BabyCenter talking about a sweet little boy’s nursery that we crashed (coolest light fixture we’ve seen in a long time).
We even felt it in the GTA! Up on the 42nd floor, nonetheless!
We felt it in Charlotte too! I couldn’t figure out what was happening.
ME TOO- I’m in Charlotte too and could not figure out why the whole building was shaking!!!
we felt it in Toronto too!
um earthquake anyone?
Yes- so crazy! Check out the first paragraph of our post about it.
xo,
s
Felt the quake in Raleigh too. Not tooo intense, but definitely very noticable! My whole office shook in downtown!
Thank goodness you’re okay!! I have to admit you were the first people I thought of when I heard it was Virginia. We all felt it up in Boston too!
When I saw that it was outside of Richmond my first thought was “I hope Sherry, John and Clara are okay.” Glad I wasn’t the only one!
haha, same here! I am in DC for work for two weeks, and we had to evacuate the building. Once I was able to get the hubs on the phone and found out it was near Richmond, I said to him, “I wonder if YHL is okay??”
Glad your ok, felt it in in NY and came here right when I heard it was in Virginia.
In Pittsburgh and our building shook from the after shock! Hope y’all are okay!
Was wondering if you guys felt it down there (duh, how could you not have?) We’re in Princeton, NJ and the chandeliers in our office were swinging. So weird! Glad to hear you are all okay and now I’m gonna go back to read your post about the cabinets. :)
PS: Did you know that standing in a doorway is actually not what they recommend doing in an earthquake anymore? Yup, it’s better to get under a table or desk apparently. You learn something new on the Discovery Channel every day!
Ooh thanks for the tip! We stood under a doorway that used to be an exterior wall of the house (the door between our living room and kitchen) since it was a strong brick wall that we hoped wouldn’t shift. Next time I’ll have to drag everyone under the table!
xo,
s
That reminds me of the Saved by the Bell episode where there’s the earthquake. Embarrassingly enough, that’s how I know what to do. I was actually driving over the Outerbridge Crossing so I didn’t feel it but my mom in NJ and fiancee in Staten Island felt it. So crazy!
I’ve actually heard that they suggest not going under a desk or cabinets or whatever, but NEXT to it, as when things collapse, it will create a triangle of space next to the objects.
So smart! Thanks for the tip!
xo,
s
Found this online, it explains it much better than I did!
“All the advice about getting under furniture assumes that you are in California in an earthquake retrofitted building, and that the biggest danger is from falling and flying debris. If the walls are crumbling and the ceiling is falling in, it is recommended that you lie down NEXT TO a bed, sofa, desk or heavy piece of furniture. In these conditions, the triangle of space created when a bookshelf, wall or part of a ceiling falls against a large piece of furniture is your best chance of not getting crushed.”
Thanks so much! Makes so much sense!
xo,
s
Emily, that advice has since been discounted (details here at Snopes).
If you get under something sturdy, remember to hold onto it so it doesn’t shift and leave you exposed. (There was some classic footage from a quake in Japan showing a man crouched under a desk while it rolled to and fro away from him.) If you can’t get under anything, sit in a corner with your back to the walls and your shins and forearms forming a shield. Those bones can protect you from debris injuries to your squishy parts.
I’m glad you guys are all OK but am sorry you had to experience it. After the 6.8 Nisqually quake here in 2001, I never want to feel anything like that ever again.
fwiw, fema still says doorways are okay, as long as you don’t have to go too far to get to one and it’s loadbearing:
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_during.shtm
i felt the earthquake on the 7th floor of my dc office building. never felt anything like that before and it was really freaky…i was scared the building was gonna fall down!
glad everybody’s okay. those cabinets are awesome, too. $6!
Thanks for the info!
xo,
s
Doorways are usually below a structural member e.g. a beam. A table is made up of wood and not even solid wood these days. So if the floor above falls you really expect the table to save you? I don’t know what Discovery is talking about but I’m taking the door frame.
We felt it in Indiana as well! Glad to hear all is well at your house. Hoping there isn’t damage elsewhere.
I’ll have to call my parents and see if they felt it in Columbus!
Is it weird that the first thing I thought when I saw the epicenter of the earthquake was near Richmond was to wonder how the Petersiks are doing?
Aw thanks Shannon! You guys are so sweet to check in on us!
xo,
s
Yes, me too, since you’re the only folks I “know” in Virginia! Glad to hear all is OK there!!
I’m weird too I guess–so funny. After I realized my building was not falling, and I heard the epicenter was near Richmond, I thought “hope the YHL peeps are okay.”
It was my first thought too! Glad you guys are safe and sound!
I thought the same thing! Wondered how my how my favorite bloggers were!
You guys are all so sweet! It definitely means a lot!
xo,
s
Looks like you had a great shopping trip. I still can’t believe that you found cabinets for $6!
mee tooo $6 is awesomely wow’somely very cheap:) and not bad at all….lucy u guys!!! and good to kno u r all safe n sound!!
Glad you’re ok! We’re right outside DC and our building shook forever! So bizarre!
holy!!! just felt the earthquake here in toronto…thought it was just construction until i started to read this post. how crazy – you’re like my cnn!!!
I felt it here in NW Ohio. I was sitting at my computer desk and the chair rocked back and forth. I thought I’d been staring at the screen for too long and tried to refocus my eyes, but it didn’t help. Logged onto Facebook and tons of people and the news centers had posted about the earthquake.
OMG! I HAVE to have that zebra chaise!!! Was it outrageously expensive?
Haha, I don’t know. Wish we had checked!
xo,
s
That earthquake was crazy! Our old windows were a rattling and the whole house shaking. We’re about 50 miles away as well, but a different direction.
That is awesome!! I love finding deals that good but I think these cabinets officially out did any deal I’ve ever found. Nice work! :)
Hey J & S. I’m in central NC and we felt it. I had no idea what in the world it was. I’ve never experienced an earthquake before.
I JUST had this same problem. I wanted to surprise my hubby with a built in the closet desk, where he could edit photos. I scoured everywhere to find something that was the right height. Everything was too short or too tall, or not deep enough, or too deep. It was really frustrating, so I feel your pain. In the end, my dad built a shelf out of birch wood and I used a piece of the same for the top. I ended up sanding and staining them. Turned out pretty good. Congrats for the awesome $6 find! I just couldn’t lug the kids around to ANYMORE stores!
Felt it here in New Haven, CT. Wow, glad you’re OK. Imagine this happening for months and months, like in Japan…
FB erupted with Earthquake notes all the way to Chicago! Glad you guys are ok.
Yeah, I was in Chicago and my lamp was swinging! My FB also told me that friends all the way from Boston to JAMAICA felt it! And also in Canada! Craziness.
i felt it too! In reston. Man that was crazy. My son is napping and he didnt even wake up. It took me almost the whole time to reakize it was an earthquake. Ten i ran upstairs and it was over. I only had one thing fall of a shelf. Wow never thought that would happen here. Still shaking a bit.
Awesome find on the cabinets. I just felt the earthquake up here in Pennsylvania, and I see that the center was a little outside Richmond. You guys okay? My chandelier was swinging and things on the wall were shaking. I hope your ram didn’t fall off his wall!
It was insanely intense but we’re ok! Check out the first paragraph of this post for a little more info. So glad our family is all ok and accounted for!
xo,
s
Of course I clicked through before reading your experience of the quake! Silly me. Glad you’re all okay!
No worries!
xo,
s
Glad to hear you guys are OK! We felt it up here and it was pretty freaky. When I saw the epicenter was Richmond, I was like, “OMG Young House Love!”
Good to hear everyone is OK and there is no damage.
Can’t wait to see more on where the kitchen is going.
You guys feel the earthquake?? Epicenter was near Richmond!
Yes- it was so crazy!!! Check out the first paragraph of this post.
xo,
s
We just felt the tremors in Charleston, South Carolina! And once we found out it was in Virginia, I turned to my co-worker and said “I hope The Petersiks are ok!”
Oh man, that lounger. It makes John look like a teeny person! I sort of love it….
So glad you came out of the earthquake ok and hope all your nearby friends and family are good too. How did Burger and Clara react?
Burger was very scared and Clara didn’t seem to mind it. I guess that means we weren’t freaking out that much because when we get nervous she reads us and gets nervous too. So crazy though- it was so intensely strong. Never felt anything like that in my life.
xo,
s
Aww, I just listened to your radio show as I’m working late (It’s 8:30 in the UK!) lots of really interesting things and I love the book concept.
Now, go get the sun on your faces!
You’re so sweet! Glad you liked it!
xo,
s
I’m in Cleveland, OH and felt it! I was sitting down nursing my 5 month and the house moved and I could see the walls move. Very disconcerting even though I am from California and have felt them before. Glad to know you’re all okay.
I just felt that earthquake here in Ohio…crazy! Glad you’re all safe!
Felt the quake in Cleveland, OH just a few minutes ago! Absolutely crazy. I’m working in downtown and the entire building was shaking…
Re:Earthquake. I just felt it in Pittsburgh and it made me feel sick…I’m sure being at the epicenter was CRAZY. Glad you’re safe!
I swear I felt it here in Illinois but everyone in the office thinks I’m cray cray. I remember standing by the copier and telling the receptionist, “Did YOUUUU feel that – it felt like an earthquake??”
Hopefully I’m not crazy…
you aren’t crazy! I’m west of chicago and I felt it too! The lamp was swinging!
We felt it up here in Boston! At first I thought it was my pregnant brain playing tricks on me. Glad to hear you (and your house!) are OK!
My friends live in Boone,NC and felt it too!
I felt the earthquake too; I’m in southern Ohio!
Great score on the cabinets!
I can’t wait to see the final result!! So exciting you waited it out and got the cabinets for so cheap!
Growing up in LA we had a meeting spot for when earthquakes hit (under the door frame like where you guys met :)). They’re definitely jarring! How did Burger react?
I’m pretty certain “the big one” is gonna hit us in California again soon (’94 was our last giant ‘quake). I better anchor my bookcase to the wall stat!
Burger was so freaked out! He went crazy. Clara didn’t seem to mind though.
xo,
s
I read your blog regularly.. Never commented or subscribed. I wanted to make sure you are fine.. News just flashed about earthquake in Richmond…
Thanks so much Hima! We’re thankfully ok although it was a very intense and scary minute or so of our lives!
xo,
s
We felt the earthquake in Ontario as well.
Weird, we had a 5.6 earthquake in southern Colorado at almost midnight last night. Very unusual for us too.
Yes! I live in NY Hudson valley and felt it! After seeing the epicenter was in VA I thought of you guys, glad to hear you are all ok!
I too felt the earthquake here on Cape Cod Massachusetts! I was frantically googling looking for news online about it, when I of course re-checked Young House Love (as I do daily…obsessively looking for your second post of the day). Ha ha! I get my breaking news from you guys now too!!!
Great snag on the new cabinets.
You can take a dog into the hardware store?!? Since when?
I’m blown away.
Home Depot and Lowe’s both love pups as long as they’re contained (in carts) and sometimes even let big ones in on a leash!
xo,
s
Yup! They are all about it and it was a GREAT way to socialize our nervous dog! At our HD the people behind the paint counter always have treats too :)
I have a 60 lbs lab and we take her in to THD all the time. The check out girls often have cookies in their aprons and adore dogs. :)
this is super fun news. puppy will be very excited to adventure with me to HD/Lowes.
Definitely felt it here in Lynchburg. Woke my little dog right out of his sleep. We freaked out and ran outside. I had no idea it was an earthquake until I ran outside and heard my neighbor say, “did you feel that earthquake?!” crazy!!
I can’t wait to see the final result! So exciting you waited and got them on the cheap!
Growing up in LA we used to have a meeting place for earthquakes (under the door frame like where you guys met). They’re pretty jarring! How did Burger react?
I think we’re due for “the big one” to hit us soon (the last giant quake was back in ’94). I better anchor my bookcase to the wall STAT! :)
Poor Burger was so shaken up. It seemed to last forever but we got him under the door frame with us and just waited it out. Seriously that was intense though!
xo,
s
Glad you guys are OK. We felt it in RI. The whole building shook!
I am all the way from Niagara Falls, Ontario and we even felt a small earthquake today about 30 minutes ago!!
P.s. love the cabinets, such an amazing deal :)
John and Sherry, I just heard on CNN that there was an earthquake in your area. Since you guys are the only ones i ‘know’ in that area, I rushed to your site to check if you had any post on for today. I’m so glad you guys are ok. I live in Finland and I have been following your blog for few months now but thus is my first comment. Pardon me! You guys are great and I’m on my journey hacking some of your DIYs :-) Kisses to Clara (and Burger too)She’s adorable. Take care.
Wow I moved from the San Francisco Bay area to Colorado six years ago and have been glad to leave the worry of earthquakes behind, but Colorado had an earthquake late (midnight) last night and now out east. Yikes.
As I was watching the news and they reported that the earthquake was Richmond the first thing I thought of was my favorite bloggers. I immediately checked your website. I am glad to hear you are doing ok.
Aw thanks Alisa! That’s so sweet of you!
xo,
s