For ten years, Laurie Lynch of Gibsonia, PA struggled as she worked out of a tiny and cramped home office in her kitchen. She would often dream of the perfect home office, visualizing it in her favorite “Shaker” style. This office not only had space to organize, but would make her much more efficient and proud. One key requirement was that she be able to close the doors on her office, not worrying about the clutter of “work-in-progress”. Laurie spent months feeling frustrated as she searched in furniture stores and online for the perfect computer armoire. She then visited MapleTree’s shop and described her “dream office” to MapleTree founder, Peter Elliott. During their initial brainstorming session, Peter listened to Laurie’s needs and ideas, and then shared some of his own ideas. The following day Peter sketched designs and sent them to Laurie. After several phone call and email exchanges, Peter and Laurie arrived upon a design that she had absolutely loved. Peter had next developed a price proposal for this newly designed cherry armoire. The price suited Laurie’s budget, so MapleTree’s production crew quickly got to work. Since the first day her masterpiece-in-the-making was underway, Laurie would frequently visit the shop to see it. While at our shop, she was introduced to our lead cabinetmakers, Jesse Melnick and Mark Hahn. Laurie corresponded with the two of them as she made decisions concerning stain color, hardware selection, molding shape, and the exact dimensions of the armoire’s many different features. Thanks to her close involvement and many visits, Laurie Lynch truly became a part of the MapleTree team. In addition, the results of this furniture adventure are astounding. These photos were taken on the delivery day, May 2, 2014. From the exterior with the doors closed, this piece resembles a 19th Century Shaker armoire. Yet, when the doors are swung back to its sides a spacious office materializes with fully extending desktop surfaces, a retractable keyboard tray, slide-out printer platform, a file drawer, lighting, and more! What is really special to Laurie about this piece of furniture are the two secret bookcases that glide out of the upper cabinet sides. It truly is her “Dream Office”!