Our off the grid doors

What’s best about custom work is the collaboration between us and our clients to create a new door. We call these our “off the grid” doors because they are different from the ones we usually make. Inspired by our clients’ requests and made through collaboration, we want to share some of these pieces with you.

Dual purpose

Most of these designs are made upon clients’ request. That’s why we love the process: These unique doors are usually brought to life by the clients’ vision for their space.

Most of our doors are both aesthetic and functional highlights of a room. Our sliding doors usually cover up a space or divide one to create a new room, for instance. But there are some that go the extra mile, like our sliding bookcase (see right). Our client wanted a bookcase that also encloses a walk-in closet. Made of reclaimed ash, the modern design is as effective as it is functional. The two boxes built into the shelf add interest to the otherwise simple design.

The collaboration process shines through here and we are proud to show you the results.

Style meets function: our “off the grid” Sliding bookcase.

Style meets function: our “off the grid” Sliding bookcase.

Creating something new

The metal quilted door, also known as the scrap metal door (see in slideshow), is made of sheet metal on heavy metal barn door hardware. Our client wanted an entry door to their home interior from the sunroom. We worked with them to understand what they wanted and then figure out how we were going to create the desired piece. In this case, we paid extra attention to the placement of the metal sheets. How and where the lines meet affects the “quilted” appearance and we wanted the piece to look polished.

Our chevron doors (see in slideshow) use the placement of natural wood pieces to create a sense of movement, which we love. We also love seeing where our “off the grid doors” will take us next!

If you would like us to make something for you, please email us at info@1925workbench.com with pictures of your space and dimensions.

Special project: DUKE condo

This project is near and dear to us because we had the opportunity to do whatever we wanted with the space.

We were excited about so many things as we began transforming this one bedroom plus den condo into a chic yet comfortable home. That started with the large windows and open concept layout. We envisioned a kitchen island in white oak, a glass metal divider and our signature sliding doors in bringing the space to life.

We made sure to treat aesthetics and functionality with equal importance. Because every space should have both.

 
eZy_watermark_26-11-2019_11-54-25.jpg
 

The glass metal divider

The pillar in the middle of the space was awkward and disrupted the open concept layout, so we created a den using our glass metal divider. Also known as the glass metal factory door, we hand make these in our Toronto studio.

Acting as an extension of the large windows, the glass metal divider breaks up the space without losing sunlight and the beautiful Toronto view.

To learn more, read our glass metal factory doors blog here.

Den_livingroom.jpg

before

The kitchen

The design lacked counter space, so we enlisted one of our lesser known specialties: custom islands made in wood.

Instead of a standard marble countertop, we made one in solid white oak. With seating on one side and open shelving on the other, the piece is functional as well as aesthetic. We also wanted to incorporate more natural materials in the design. It’s authentic and juxtaposes the industrial style of the condo.

kitchen and laundryroom_small.jpg

before

The kitchen island provides counter space while incorporating our favourite material: wood. It is a natural and authentic element that transforms this standard kitchen.

Doors

The closet by the kitchen had a standard sliding door that was neither high quality or nice to look at! At 48 inches, the entry closet opening was too small for two sliding doors, so we made one large door on brassy beau top mount hardware. It is painted in Benjamin Moore’s “Nightingale” and is now an aesthetic highlight of the room (see below right).

Moving into the bedroom, whose walk-in closet had no doors, we wanted to create more privacy. This sliding door was made to match the glass metal divider in the den, using frosted glass to hide the closet’s contents (see below left).

eZy_watermark_26-11-2019_11-53-07.jpg

raw steel hardware

our sliding door on raw steel hardware, frosted glass

eZy_watermark_26-11-2019_11-51-44.jpg

brassy beau hardware

our sliding door on brassy beau top mount hardware, painted in Benjamin Moore’s “Nightingale”

Finishing touches

We called in the amazing property stylist Becky Freeman, who styled the entire condo into an elegant and inviting home, ready for the market. Another big thank you goes to real estate agent Brian Reece, who goes above and beyond for his clients.

We had a vision and are proud that we made it happen.

Contact us

If you would like us to make something for you, please contact us at info@1925workbench.com with pictures of your space and dimensions.

Fins us on Instagram: @1925workbench.