Kitchen Drawer Baskets -
Specifications
How the Baskets are Designed
The baskets are custom designed to fit the frames supplied
by the client's cabinetmaker and made to fit the custom woodwork of the kitchen
involved. I do not supply the frames. The baskets are first woven up to the border. Based
on the custom work, the frames are then marked and holes are drilled in the
frames to accommodate the stakes of the baskets. The stakes are then taken
through these holes and then a border is woven with the stakes on the top side
of the frame. In this way, the baskets are literally incorporated into the
frames and I believe gives an excellent product for the client. Corner posts are
used in the rectangular baskets in order to emphasize the squareness. The holes
are drilled by a local woodworker after I have custom marked each frame and the
hole drilling is an additional charge.
Frame Design
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The frames that are supplied to
me should be:
- Well-constructed with no metal in the joins;
- 3/4 inch thick wood;
- Have 2 1/2 inches of solid wood in all four sides (see Diagram A - Top). I use about 1
1/2 inches
of this surface with the border weaving. Enough room should then be available for the slider system;
- The above dimension can exclude an elaborate front handle hold;
- The frames need to be in a finished state as one cannot go back and apply finish around the
border weaving;
- If the frame dimension is over 20 inches in any direction, please consider an additional basket.
Estimates
To give an estimate of cost, I
need to have the interior and exterior dimensions of the frames. A faxed drawing
is an ideal way to proceed (fax number at top of page).
I also need the height of the
basket BELOW the frame (see Diagram B - Side). This figure will be determined by the client's
cabinetmaker.
Some guidelines are that a MINIMUM of 1 1/2 inches should be allowed
between stacked baskets (see Diagram C - Cabinet). This dimension is from the bottom
of the top basket to the top of the border of the lower basket. The border
weaving is approximately a half inch of weaving above the frame (see Diagram B - Side).
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Diagram A - Top
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Diagram B - Side
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Diagram C - Cabinet
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Choices of Willow
The baskets can be made from four choices of willow:
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"STEAMED BROWN" -- the brown
rods are given an additional steaming to produce a deep brown color; |
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"BROWN" -- the rods are dried with the
bark remaining which has a greenish-brown hue; |
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"BUFF" -- the rods are dried with the
bark on and then boiled in tanks for several hours. The subsequent peeling result
in a soft red-brown color; |
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"WHITE" -- the rods are peeled to
reveal a white rod. |
Buff willow is the most popular.
Time Frame
Once the frames have been designed and the heights of the baskets below the frames has
been determined, I will work out a cost. The cost per basket is based on the
size and can vary from under a hundred dollars to several hundred dollars. I ask for
a 50% deposit up front. When I receive the deposit and the frames, I will
complete the work within an agreed time. When the
baskets are shipped, I bill for the remaining charges plus the hole drilling
(about $20 per frame) and the shipping. All clients are expected to remit the balance
within 30 days.
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