Have you ever found a great nightstand only to discover it won't fit in the space between your bedside and the wall? Or maybe you spotted a gorgeous bookshelf, but you need it to be one shelf taller to house your design library? At Cocoon Furnishings seeing our clients encounter these design dilemmas inspired us to create CASE by Cocoon, our new line of finely crafted casegoods designed and made to your exact specifications. In fashion, a bespoke suit accentuates your best attributes. We believe that custom furniture does the same for your interiors.
CASE by Cocoon was launched at the Interior Design Show in Toronto in January 2017 and was warmly received by design professionals and aficionados alike. As a sweet bonus, Cocoon won a Best Booth Design award! During the three-day event we had a chance to answer many questions from show attendees and thought we'd share the answers here for those who couldn't make it to the show.
A buffet with stepped front, block legs, deep rich stain and showstopping brass hardware.
Visit the Cocoon showroom to see wood, finish and hardware samples.
1. What's the first step to ordering a piece of custom CASE furniture?
Tell us what item of case goods furniture you need and the dimensions you'd like it to be. CASE by Cocoon includes nightstands, chests, buffets, media cabinets, bookcases, console tables and desks. Choose one of these or let us know if you have another piece in mind. Next you'll need to think about the design style that best suits your interior. We've done a lot of the design legwork already. Drawing upon our 14 years experience sourcing furniture and our knowledge of the latest design trends, we have curated a collection of silhouettes, leg styles, finishes and other design details. You can select from these to achieve a contemporary, transitional or more refined look. Or, if you prefer to begin with your own design idea, we'll start from there.
2. Can you make a buffet that will store my china AND my album collection?
Yes! If there is something specific you want to store inside your CASE piece, let us know and we'll help you determine the configuration of shelves and/or drawers you'll need. If you prefer an uncluttered look in the bedroom, we'll advise nightstands with closed storage. On the style side, you might consider ramping up the luxury with a marble top for your CASE piece. Will that be classic Carrara or trend-forward Nero Marquina?
3. I'm a bit hesitant to buy a piece of furniture before seeing what it will look like. Do you have sample pieces made up, or pictures?
Visit our showroom in Oakville, Ont. (2695 Bristol Circle, Unit 2) to see finished CASE pieces in several styles. You can also see and touch samples of wood species, stain and paint finishes, pulls and knobs. In order to ensure you get exactly what you want, our staff will prepare technical drawings and renderings of your CASE order so that you can see what it will look like and sign off on the final design.
4. What is the furniture made of?
Choose from the finest kiln-dried woods. We offer maple, walnut, cherry and oak. Our oak pieces can be made of flat-cut, rift-cut or quarter-sawn lumber so you can even get the grain pattern of your choice.
5. Where are CASE furniture made and how long does it take?
CASE by Cocoon pieces are all made right here in Canada by our network of craftspeople. Keeping production local builds our community and means the lead time from order confirmation to completion is about six weeks.
6. If I order a CASE buffet, can it be stained to match the dining table I inherited from my grandma?
While we can't replicate the natural patina of age, our skilled finishers can closely match the colour. We'd need a sample from the table — perhaps a leaf or a leg (if they are easily removed) — and we could produce a colour sample for your approval. Whether or not you need to match an existing piece, we can recommend light, mid or dark-toned stains that all look current but won't go out of style.
7. Can I get it in yellow, navy or green?
Sure, how about Sunburst, Hale Navy or Fairmont Green? If none of these is quite right you can choose any other Benjamin Moore paint colour (including dozens of classic neutrals too). CASE painted finishes are chip- and stain-resistant and can be specified in a sheen level to suit your interior. You can also combine stained and painted surfaces on one piece.
Cerused natural oak frame with painted drawer fronts.
Grey-stained oak with cerused finish.
8. Can I give you my own hardware to install?
We are happy to incorporate your own pre-selected hardware, but we do offer an exclusive collection of decorative hardware, including understated contemporary designs, elegant crystal, chic lucite or bold, sculptural designs. Here's a peek at some of our collection below. Dozens more styles available.
This solid wood nightstand with full-extention drawer, painted finish in Grey Owl by Benjamin Moore and brass octagonal bar pull, $1,800.
9. How much does a custom CASE piece cost?
We know that automatically when you hear the word "custom" you might think twice about the implications for your bank account. Rest assured CASE prices are competitive with ready-made products in similar styles. But with CASE you get EXACTLY the size, finish and design details you want, rather than settling for the limited options of ready-made. You also get the peace of mind that comes with supporting local craftspeople. If you are a member of the Cocoon to the Trade program, special pricing will apply. Contact your Cocoon representative to discuss a quote. Learn more about joining Cocoon to the Trade here.
10. Do you ship outside the Greater Toronto Area?
Yes. Cocoon has trusted shipping partners that serve locations across North America. Once we know the CASE piece you want and its dimensions we can start work on a shipping cost estimate.