We get some interesting requests for handyman services from Inner West Sydney residents. Last week a client called us asking if we could make a custom made shoe cupboard. The customer had purchased, several months ago, an ornate timber door with inset wrought iron metal work. The door was very long and narrow, approximately 2.2 meters long by 40 cm wide. The client wanted a cabinet built around the door! The brief for this unusual project was:

• custom melamine shoe cupboard
• minimum 12 shelves to accommodate a lot of her shoes!
• sturdy construction to support the weight of the door
• solid hinges that would bare the weight of the door
• reasonably ‘low cost’ construction

We purchased melamine sheets, some with pre drilled holes to accomodate the shelf supports and carefully measured the door to determine the cutting list for the melamine sheeting. The melamine was then cut to size and a ‘coffin like’ box assembled. We used very strong strap hinges, purchased from Bunnings ( see here for hinge details) to secure the door to the left hand  side of the melamine panel.

A set of magnetic latches were installed to keep the door closed and a small steel bracket was mounted at the top of the unit to allow for securing to the wall for an added measure of safety.

The customer was extyremely satisfied with the finished project and can now happily store dozens of pairs of her shoes in her stylish looking, totally custom made shoe cupboard!