Berkeley Parents Recommendations for What to Buy & Where to Buy It
A/V and computer furniture
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December 2001
We're looking for a desk/shelving unit with doors that
we can hide our computer in when not in use. Nothing
ultra fancy but looks nice when closed. Can hold a 19"
monitor, CPU, printer, keyboard/mouse and some other
stuff like the cable modem, disks, paper, etc. We also
are looking for a large a/v wall system. It needs to
accomodate a 36" TV with separate center channel speaker
underneath, have shelves to place the DVD, Receiver, VCR
and other equipment. Plus drawers for cassettes and
disks. Recessed small lights would be nice but not a
must. Preferably areas to place the subwoofer and some
bookshelf speakers. The key here is to have as many
doors as possible so when things are not in use, they
aren't visible. Even doors with sonically transparent
grill cloth would be good to go over the speakers.
Jonathan
We found a piece to house our PC two months ago at Evolution
Furniture. It is on University Ave, between 5th and 6th, on the
north side of the street. Evolution has a few buildings there.
Home office - living room stuff is in the store above The Art Store.
Our piece is made of cherry. It is about 5 feet 5 inches tall, about
3 feet wide and two feet deep (very rough estimates). It has doors
on the top and bottom, and a pull out key board tray. They had it
in stock so we didn't have to wait the usual 4 months for a nice
piece of wood furniture. If you don't like what they have, I suggest
that you also call Viking Trader on Shattuck in Berkeley, or Country
Home on Grand Lake (?) in Oakland. I prefer to shop at the local
furniture stores. If you aren't limiting yourself to locals, you might
also want to take a look at what Ikea has. with all stores, remember
to ask what they can order, in addition to what is shown in the store.
We bought a computer armoire about 6-8 months ago online and found that
not only do we love it but we saved TONS of money. Most of the ones that
had to offer what we wanted (lots of space, cubbies, holds all the
computer parts/phone, etc., filing cabinet drawer, double pull out shelf
for papers, keyboard and etc., closed door so kids can't get in and mess
can be hidden, and on and on . . .) were anywhere from $800 - $2000 at
most places or the cheaper ones were just that -- CHEAP!!! So we started
searching online and I found a website where someone posted a place to
try, (Advanced Furniture Outfitters, Inc.) www.afo.com and that's where
we bought ours. We love it, it has everything to offer that we want, it
looks very nice, it's extremely sturdy and it was only $399!!! We
couldn't believe it! And they always have some great shipping deals
(some models are free, some are $3 and some are $2 and some are $1 from
time to time). It arrived in the mail about a week or so after ordering
it and it's one of the best purchases we've ever made - we still feel
very good about that decision and we love it -- everyone who comes over
comments on the armoire and says, "That's exactly what I need. Where did
you get it?"
April
I don't know if this is kosher to talk about my business
on this newsletter, but if you're interested in building
a custom unit for your desk/shelving/tv wall unit, I
can help you. I work as a designer for Closets by Design.
We do closets (of course) but also any other kind of
built-in/furniture system (entertainment centers, garages,
offices, etc.). If you'd like to make an appointment
for a free design consultation, call me at (510)338-0472
(that's my home number).
Good Luck,
Nancy
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are those of parents who belong to the
UC Berkeley Parents Network and
should not be taken as a position of or endorsement by the
University of California, Berkeley.