1975Jumby
Intermediate
CA USA
Member since 8/19/08
Posts: 514 |
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 3 members like this. I finally had my Koala cabinets delivered a week ago Friday. They are FABULOUS and the customer service with Koala is just as great. When the delivery guys didn't put the corner top on my Rollabout, I told the Koala customer service and they sent me a Madeira Incredible Threadable 80 spool rayon embroidery thread collection for the inconvenience.
Here is the link for the pics. Click on the first one and you can scroll through and see the entire room and set up. I haven't put the shelves up yet above the Koala cabinets, but that is where fabric and sewing/home decor books wil be kept...freeing up some space on the wall unit.
I do wish I could have gotten the Storage Center Plus as well. I bought the Cub Plus to act as a cutting table and sewing cabinet together (I didn't like the sitting height of the Treasure Chest Plus). The size is perfect, but if it were 35" high as opposed to 29" definitely would make a difference. But I didn't want to have to extend the height of every other cabinet for $200 a piece, and as I said, I didn't like the sitting height when sewing at the Treasure Chest Plus. However, I do plan on getting the Storage Center Plus down the road since it can always fit in my closet.
All in all, I love the cabinets. But here are my observations so far that might come in handy for others thinking of this purchase.
1. I have to be honest, I feel these are quite a bit of money. I got an AMAZING deal on these cabinets and feel they are really worth it for the price I paid. But without the discount I received, I think it would have taken longer to get the set up I had. But are they worth the money in my opinion? Yes, because they are so very unique and offer multiple layout options that you would be hard pressed to find something exactly like this elsewhere.
2. Keep in mind that these cabinets are pretty much like Ikea furniture in the sense they are all built with the locking cam type mechanism found on Ikea's furniture and they are laminate veneer. However, let me say that the veneer on these cabinets is superb and they have the wood grain ticking detail that makes me feel like it's real wood. The color I picked is African Ebony and I saw all the samples to the cabinets. This color and the Canadian Maple and Oak have the best veneer in the sense they look the most like real wood. The Walnut looks the least like real wood.
3. If you have a dense, plush or shag carpet in your sewing room, be prepared for the cabinets to be a bit tough to move. This isn't the fault of Koala, but would happen with any heavy item that is on a plush carpet with a pad.
4. I was deciding between Unique Sewing Furniture and Koala, and although Unique is real wood, I felt (and this is just my opinion) that Koala offered MUCH more versatility in their cabinets than Unique Sewing Furniture. Plus, I preferred the clean, streamlined feel of the Koala cabinets over Unique. The cabinet doors that open and allow you to put the fabric and notions palettes on top give you additional space. Each piece has lots of options and that's what I like about it. Would I have preferred real wood? Yes, I'll be honest. But could I have got the setup I wanted for the price I paid elsewhere? No I don't think so and no sewing cabinet manufacturer seemed to offer the configurations Koala does...and I researched alot.
5. The electric glide lift is simply AMAZING....and I could not do without it. I love the fact that I can raise and lower the machine at a push of the button. There is absolutely NO VIBRATING or SHAKING when sewing or embroidery at the highest speeds, unlike the older Koala cabinets. The remote is a great add-on, but truthfully, I don't see the need for it since the raise/lower button is right inside and it's just as convenient that way.
That's all I can think of right now...thanks for sharing my excitement!
Jim
-- Edited on 1/21/13 5:17 PM -- ------
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minggiddylooloo
 
Intermediate
VA USA
Member since 5/17/05
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Date: 1/21/13 3:05 PM **WOW***
What a fabulous set up/room!! I'm sure you are going to love sewing in there. Congratulations to you!! ------
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Mufffet
Intermediate
VT USA
Member since 8/14/05
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Date: 1/21/13 3:08 PM Lovely! What nice pieces these are and how handy this will be for your sewing!  ------
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KathyII
Advanced Beginner
NC USA
Member since 7/8/09
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Date: 1/21/13 3:16 PM Congrats! What a lovely setup!
I wonder if one of those clear plastic floor protectors that you get in office supply stores - you place them under your desk area - would help with rolling out the side piece to use as a cutting table?
I like the wall unit too, the way it is mounted so you can vacuum easily.
Koala cabinets seem to me to be the most configurable. |
a7yrstitch
Intermediate
TX USA
Member since 4/1/08
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Date: 1/21/13 3:23 PM Me too, WoW!
Thank you for sharing your thoughtful observations and the photos. ------
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Cat n Bull
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NC USA
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Date: 1/21/13 3:23 PM S W E E T!!!!
What an AWESOME room, I would LOVE to have that lift and space for more than one machine! ------
Cathryn |
Julkane
Intermediate
PA USA
Member since 9/14/07
Posts: 442 |
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Date: 1/21/13 3:40 PM Gorgeous setup! Thanks for the honest review of them. ------
Elna Excellence 740, Pfaff Quilt expression 4.0, Janome 300E, Brother 8500D, Janome 900CPX CoverPro, Brother 5234 Project Runway Serger, Singer Treadle
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Changma
Advanced Beginner
NY USA
Member since 2/20/12
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Date: 1/21/13 3:57 PM Love your set-up! |
SouthernStitch
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LA USA
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Date: 1/21/13 5:26 PM Thanks for all the details and photos. Your room looks truly divine, and a very relaxing space to sew! ------
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1975Jumby
Intermediate
CA USA
Member since 8/19/08
Posts: 514 |
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In reply to Cat n Bull <<
Date: 1/21/13 5:31 PM Katthy II - I'm going to try and see about getting a large custom mat for the room. I love plush carpeting and hesitate to put a low pile berber type carpet in there, so the mats may be the ticket! And we love our wall unit too...having it on the wall and off the floor does make vacuuming easier! It also gives the illusion to more space in the room since it is off the floor.
I debated whether to get the Cub Plus or the Small Storage Center which is the same width, BUT is 35 1/4" high (good cutting height). It also comes with the extra wide fabric pallete. But in planning the whole room, I knew I wanted room for another machine and so I wanted to make the most out of each piece. Since the Cub Plus was the same width as the Small StorageCenter, I asked if I could have the extra wide fabric palette instead of the normal sized one and they said no problem and no extra charge. So although I wish I had the higher cutting height, since it doubles as a machine cabinet, I think it's a good trade off.
Thanks for all your kind words.....I love the set up and couldn't be happier. These are wonderful cabinets and it does make sewing more enjoyable than it already is. ------
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