Media rare // Custom cabinet lets you hide or display electronics

There was a time in the early 17th century when privatecollections of art, books or music were displayed in rooms called"cabinets," which were distinct from the great hall or other statelyrooms of the manor house.

These days, cabinets usually are upright shelving units, oftenwith doors, lining the walls of a room. But they still serve thesame need: to display or store objects.

It seems that fewer books and art and more electronics are ondisplay these days. Some living rooms look like television repairshops, where giant TV projectors, stereo systems, computers and otherelectronic components are on view.

To achieve some sense of balance between display (objects youdon't mind looking at all the time) and storage (objects you may onlywant to look at some of the time), I have designed a cabinet toaccommodate some, if not all, of a home's media components.

The idea illustrated here is to incorporate a closed storageunit into an existing wall of open shelving units. Why not buy apre-built unit? Fine, if your particular components fit into stockunits. Otherwise you may want to assemble your own cabinet out ofpre-cut plastic laminated panels, doors and drawers - in much thesame way you build a stereo system using various components.

The cabinet project involves three steps: planning (preparing ascale drawing of what you want), specifications (choosing materialsand hardware) and assembly. A good cabinet shop that specializes inprefabricated kitchen cabinets or office furniture will offer adviceon each of these steps, particularly on how to save time and money ona specific design. For example, you may want to eliminate a backwall. And shelves should be pre-drilled to accept wiring.

When planning the dimensions of the cabinet, try to avoid tooprecise a fit in the available space. You will need to makeallowances for uneven ceilings and walls, and doors must be able toswing free from the carpet.

When choosing plastic laminate, remember that the dark edgeswill contrast with lighter surface colors. Solid laminate will nothave that darker core and is available at a much higher cost. Isuggest that all drawers be preconstructed and that doors be pre-hungusing adjustable, concealed hinges. This will make the cabinet mucheasier to assemble.

Finally, when you start to put the cabinet unit together, drillholes in the laminate for screws and use a large screwdriver (it willbe easier on your hand). Also buy a tube of liquid laminate just incase; if you make a drilling mistake or scratch the laminate duringinstallation, you can repair the damage easily. WHAT IT WILL COST PLASTIC LAMINATE: Four 2-by-8-foot sides, two 2-by-2-foot tops,three front panels, two doors, four shelves, two drawers and one tubeof liquid laminate. $1,750 HARDWARE: Four drawer slides (30 pounds, 22-inch-deep at $20/pair), eight hinges, four touchlatches, metal angles and screws $125 TOTAL $1,875 Costs are approximate and do not include labor.

For help with building problems, send snapshots and dimensionsto Richard Ridley in care of the Chicago Sun-Times, 401 N. Wabash,Chicago 60611.