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Customer Reviews for Christopher Lowell Shore Computer Armoire, 76 1/2H x 51W x 22 3/4D, Antiqued White
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Christopher Lowell Shore Computer Armoire, 76 1/2H x 51W x 22 3/4D, Antiqued White
Item #:774016
Average Customer Rating:
(12 Reviews) 12
Rating Snapshot (12 reviews)
5 stars
9
4 stars
1
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
2
9 of 12(75%)reviewers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Christopher Lowell Shore Computer Armoire, 76 1/2H x 51W x 22 3/4D, Antiqued White
Review 1 for Christopher Lowell Shore Computer Armoire, 76 1/2H x 51W x 22 3/4D, Antiqued White
January 20, 2011
barnbabe
Quality
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations
5
out of
5
I am a(n):Home Office
Primary Use:Home User
Gender:Female
Age:46 - 65
Bought this product:Online
Pleasantly surprised
I knew this product would take some time to assemble based on the reviews, but it has a lot of detail. I was really impressed with the hardware and inventive pieces used in assembly. After having used it for a week, the desk is very functional and incredibly attractive. It looks more homey than office, which is the look I wanted. Really like it. Wish they made more pieces to go with it.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Review 2 for Christopher Lowell Shore Computer Armoire, 76 1/2H x 51W x 22 3/4D, Antiqued White
November 1, 2010
melb811
LI, NY
Quality
1
out of
5
Meets Expectations
1
out of
5
I am a(n):Professional
Primary Use:Home User
Bought this product:Online
Garbage!
Pros: none
Cons: suitable for the trash only!
Had this product professionally assembled. It literally falls apart when you handle it. Terrible quality and a huge disappointment.
3 of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Review 3 for Christopher Lowell Shore Computer Armoire, 76 1/2H x 51W x 22 3/4D, Antiqued White
February 28, 2010
dcarr444
Quality
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations
5
out of
5
Very nice, but instructional error alert...
I bought this for a scrapbooking station and just finished assembling and loaded it up with my supplies. It looks wonderful.
It did take 7 hours to put together with my husband, as others have reported, and there were ambiguities with the instructions and small pictures as was reported, and it was bit of a chore, but the finished product is worth it. Pretty and functional.
Thank you to those who have posted tips, especially the author of "I love this piece," - very helpful.
We will add one alert: unless we are reading the instructions incorrectly, and I don't think we are, Step 24 has you tap (though pound is more like what you have to do) a magnet (a "shoulder") into the door marked K. There is not a strikeplate on the cabinet for it to come into contact with so it doesn't appear to be of any use. AND, if you haven't pounded it flush (something you shouldn't do with the functional magnets) it sticks out when and blocks the door from being shut when you finally finish and try.
We managed to get the magnet out with pliers but only after a lot of struggle. Thank goodness for an exceptionally strong husband.
Beautiful product and well worth it, though. Comparable scrapbooking armoires were over $1200.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Review 4 for Christopher Lowell Shore Computer Armoire, 76 1/2H x 51W x 22 3/4D, Antiqued White
February 8, 2010
mellissaa
Hollister, CA
Quality
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations
4
out of
5
I am a(n):Home Office
Primary Use:Home User
Gender:Female
Age:26 - 35
You'll Need a 180 IQ to Assemble This Beauty!
Pros: gorgeous end product
Cons: extremely difficult to assemble
My husband (a professional contractor) and I spent about 7 hours assembling this armoire. There were many, many unmarked pieces that we had to try to identify with the tiny pictures in the instruction manual. Also, the manual didn't specify each step...you had to read the fine print that said "repeat this procedure with Part XXX." FUN! I highly recommend that assembly should only take place with a minimum of 2 people who are not in a hurry and have nothing better to do with their afternoon! :)
It is a beautiful piece of office furniture, though!
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Review 5 for Christopher Lowell Shore Computer Armoire, 76 1/2H x 51W x 22 3/4D, Antiqued White
August 23, 2009
coloscot
Colorado
Quality
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations
5
out of
5
I am a(n):Home Office
Primary Use:Home User
Gender:Female
Age:46 - 65
Bought this product:Online
JUST PERFECT
Pros: Appearance/Design, features, functional, Quality of Material, Well Made/ Sturdy
Bought the armoire for a home office, delighted with this purchase.
Some of the instructions were not as easy to follow as others, but overall, it was a good experience. It took two people approximately 8 hours to finish.
The quality is very good, better than anything we have purchased before, that requires assembly. The design/style just seem totally different to other items we have looked at.
It does weigh quite a bit and the suggestion to put something under the feet, did make our lives much easier when it came to moving it around on the wooden floor.
I have also ordered two other items from this collection and I am excited about receiving them.
Beautiful piece of furniture and the compliments keep coming.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.
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Review 6 for Christopher Lowell Shore Computer Armoire, 76 1/2H x 51W x 22 3/4D, Antiqued White
July 30, 2009
CBKinPGH
Pittsburgh, PA
Quality
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations
5
out of
5
I am a(n):Amateur
Primary Use:Home User
Age:36 - 45
Bought this product:Online
I love this piece!
Pros: Appearance/Design, features, functional, Quality of Material, Well Made/ Sturdy
I bought this computer armoire to help straighten out the chaotic mess in our sitting room/study. It's now my favorite room in the whole house! This is a great piece of furniture!
I'm surprised by the negative reviews, and think this is very well made, sturdy, functional and stylish. Lots of shelves and storage space, the drawers roll nicely, and I love the lighted top section with the peep-through windows. It adds such character to the room. And it looks nice both opened and closed.
The instructions for building this are well written. I write software processes, and was quite impressed - I only found a few confusing items that I may report at some point, but I'm a stickler for technical details. Be sure to read ALL of each instruction number before you start that task...just like the instructions tell you to. There are some important notes AFTER the main task.
This does take a long time to put together (about 8 hours over a 5 day period). But we had a bare kitchen for a while as we were waiting on a new kitchen table to be delivered, so it was perfect! And it definitely takes multiple people to turn it over and stand it up. It's easier to have a helper when doing some of the shelves and the crown molding, but besides that, I pretty much put everything together myself. (And I'm petite, and not all that strong).
Bottom line, if you're looking for a nice armoire, and you're willing to take the time and follow the directions to put this together, you will enjoy a great piece of furniture!
I've added some helpful hints that I learned as we built this. Hopefully they'll be useful to someone else:
1. It's heavy, so buy the plastic furniture sliders like most others have said so it's easier to move it around! (We have felt pads on ours right now so we can move it on the hardwood floor, but those won't work so well sliding across carpet).
2. When hammering in the little circle magnets, be sure to STOP when the brown ring comes in contact with the wood! If you hammer it in too much, the magnet won't stick out far enough to grab the metal stoppers when you close the doors. (And there's no getting those little things back out once they're in too far)!
3. When you're connecting the parts that have the nifty little circle locks that you turn with a screwdriver, make SURE that the lock actually catches in the connected piece. You shouldn't be able to pull it back apart with your bare hands. Undo the lock, pull the pieces apart, make sure the prong is sticking straight out (not crooked), connect the pieces again (press together harder), and lock it again until it really catches - you'll feel it.
4. Until the back is on, the pieces can still shift, so don't shove things around too much. And have someone help you turn it over, put the back on, and turn it back over. DON'T STAND IT STRAIGHT UP until the directions tell you to!! (You'll need help for that, too). It's not sturdy enough until the back is on and ALL the required inner support structures are in tact!
5. There are steps that can be done independently from building the main piece. (i.e. out of order from the directions). Putting all the hardware on the doors, and putting the sliding shelves and drawers together (all listed towards the end of the instructions) can be done by someone, while someone else is doing the bigger, main pieces. You don't have to wait until the end to build the doors and drawers - they just get put in/on last. (And it means last - don't get ahead of yourself and put all the drawers in as soon as you stand the unit up because you're excited to see what it will look like - they'll be in the way of putting on the doors - mainly the file drawer).
6. When you're sliding the backs of the drawers into place, use your hands until you can't push/wriggle them together anymore, then use a RUBBER MALLET to finish. A hammer could damage the wood. Alternate the strikes to keep it even - one on the left side then one on the right side - until the back is in all the way. If it starts getting too crooked, turn the drawer over and tap the back with the rubber mallet to get it even again. Then flip it back over and keep going.
7. The crown molding is tricky. It helps to have someone hold it while you do the screws. Then you have to play with the corner locks and all the screws (sometimes loosening works better than tightening) to get the molding corners to line up.
8. If you don't have any help when it comes time to attach the doors (like me) here's what I did....stack up enough phone books/catalogs in front of the main unit to rest the door on so that the door hinges line up with the holes in the main unit. Then steady the door with your foot while you put in the screws. The left door is heavier than the right - it'll crunch the stack down more - so you may need an extra catalog on the left side. Rudimentary, but effective!
1. It's heavy, so buy the plastic furniture sliders like most others have said so it's easier to move it around! (We have felt pads on ours right now so we can move it on the hardwood floor, but those won't work so well sliding across carpet).
2. When hammering in the little circle magnets, be sure to STOP when the brown ring comes in contact with the wood! If you hammer it in too much, the magnet won't stick out far enough to grab the metal stoppers when you close the doors. (And there's no getting those little things back out once they're in too far)!
3. When you're connecting the parts that have the nifty little circle locks that you turn with a screwdriver, make SURE that the lock actually catches in the connected piece. You shouldn't be able to pull it back apart with your bare hands. Undo the lock, pull the pieces apart, make sure the prong is sticking straight out (not crooked), connect the pieces again (press together harder), and lock it again until it really catches - you'll feel it.
4. Until the back is on, the pieces can still shift, so don't shove things around too much. And have someone help you turn it over, put the back on, and turn it back over. DON'T STAND IT STRAIGHT UP until the directions tell you to!! (You'll need help for that, too). It's not sturdy enough until the back is on and ALL the required inner support structures are in tact!
5. There are steps that can be done independently from building the main piece. (i.e. out of order from the directions). Putting all the hardware on the doors, and putting the sliding shelves and drawers together (all listed towards the end of the instructions) can be done by someone, while someone else is doing the bigger, main pieces. You don't have to wait until the end to build the doors and drawers - they just get put in/on last. (And it means last - don't get ahead of yourself and put all the drawers in as soon as you stand the unit up because you're excited to see what it will look like - they'll be in the way of putting on the doors - mainly the file drawer).
6. When you're sliding the backs of the drawers into place, use your hands until you can't push/wriggle them together anymore, then use a RUBBER MALLET to finish. A hammer could damage the wood. Alternate the strikes to keep it even - one on the left side then one on the right side - until the back is in all the way. If it starts getting too crooked, turn the drawer over and tap the back with the rubber mallet to get it even again. Then flip it back over and keep going.
7. The crown molding is tricky. It helps to have someone hold it while you do the screws. Then you have to play with the corner locks and all the screws (sometimes loosening works better than tightening) to get the molding corners to line up.
8. If you don't have any help when it comes time to attach the doors (like me) here's what I did....stack up enough phone books/catalogs in front of the main unit to rest the door on so that the door hinges line up with the holes in the main unit. Then steady the door with your foot while you put in the screws. The left door is heavier than the right - it'll crunch the stack down more - so you may need an extra catalog on the left side. Rudimentary, but effective!
I think that's it. Take your time, follow the instructions, and enjoy the work and reward of putting something together for yourself. This one is worth it!
44 of 44 people found this review helpful.
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Review 7 for Christopher Lowell Shore Computer Armoire, 76 1/2H x 51W x 22 3/4D, Antiqued White
May 8, 2009
bunroth
Boynton Beach, Fl.
Quality
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations
5
out of
5
I am a(n):Amateur
Primary Use:Home User
Gender:Female
Age:66 and above
Bought this product:In-store
My favorite piece of furniture
Pros: Appearance/Design, features, functional, Size & Weight, Well Made/ Sturdy
I had never seen such beautiful office furniture untiI I saw this armoire and other matching pieces in a small business office.
When I asked where it was purchased I was so surprised to find it was at my fingertips @ Office Depot.
I quickly ordered the armoire for fear I would realize it was a figment of my imagination.
Two long flat boxes were delivered. I couldn't imagine how that could turn out to be so beautiful until I tackled it starting with the hardware & small pieces. When they were all finished it was time to start putting the large pieces together creating my 'masterpiece'. I am a 69 yr old woman of medium build with herniated discs, but found everything quite simple except lifting it & turning it over. I was able to get my 'smaller' 71 yr old female friend to help me turn it over in order to put the back on. I had a community maintenance man stand it up on it's feet & my friend helped me get the doors hung.
Thanks to reading the reviews of others, I purchased slides for the feet. That hint was a blessing and now it's so easy to move it to get to my computer wiring.
Customer service is fabulous & sent me a small replacement part, a bulb that was broken in the package and a magnet that I misplaced when it clung to one of my tools.
The instructions were written by a genious, and the online helpful hints were very helpful.
I'm sorry to hear the negative feedback about this Christopher Lowell line. If these pieces were assembled at purchase time they would have cost 2x as much. I took it very easy getting it assembled & believe it took approximately 18 hours over 10 days to build it....while watching tv. : )
P.S. The crown molding was a little tricky but after loosening a few screws, was able to align the pieces pretty much perfectly.
When I asked where it was purchased I was so surprised to find it was at my fingertips @ Office Depot.
I quickly ordered the armoire for fear I would realize it was a figment of my imagination.
Two long flat boxes were delivered. I couldn't imagine how that could turn out to be so beautiful until I tackled it starting with the hardware & small pieces. When they were all finished it was time to start putting the large pieces together creating my 'masterpiece'. I am a 69 yr old woman of medium build with herniated discs, but found everything quite simple except lifting it & turning it over. I was able to get my 'smaller' 71 yr old female friend to help me turn it over in order to put the back on. I had a community maintenance man stand it up on it's feet & my friend helped me get the doors hung.
Thanks to reading the reviews of others, I purchased slides for the feet. That hint was a blessing and now it's so easy to move it to get to my computer wiring.
Customer service is fabulous & sent me a small replacement part, a bulb that was broken in the package and a magnet that I misplaced when it clung to one of my tools.
The instructions were written by a genious, and the online helpful hints were very helpful.
I'm sorry to hear the negative feedback about this Christopher Lowell line. If these pieces were assembled at purchase time they would have cost 2x as much. I took it very easy getting it assembled & believe it took approximately 18 hours over 10 days to build it....while watching tv. : )
P.S. The crown molding was a little tricky but after loosening a few screws, was able to align the pieces pretty much perfectly.
15 of 15 people found this review helpful.
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Review 8 for Christopher Lowell Shore Computer Armoire, 76 1/2H x 51W x 22 3/4D, Antiqued White
April 1, 2009
frustrated09
Washington DC area
Quality
1
out of
5
Meets Expectations
1
out of
5
I am a(n):Home Office
Primary Use:Business User
Gender:Female
Age:46 - 65
Bought this product:Online
Overpriced and cheaply made
Cons: Appearance, Difficult to Assemble, Easily Damaged, Quality: Flimsy, Size & Weight, crazy topsy turvy instructions
My Mom and I have spent about 8 hours trying to assemble this rip-off piece of furniture and we've had to give it a rest - unfinished because it took so much time to assemble the basic shell. The instructions are very interesting in that they assume that the materials that form the construction of this piece are that durable. They are not. When we stood it up, to attach the back as opposed to turning this increasingly heavy piece over yet again, it nearly fell apart and I had to hold it steady to keep it from falling over sideways and breaking apart until the backing had been hammered on. For the money, one has to cough up for this piece - plus delivery - it is made of really cheap and easy to damage particle/fiber board. A nearly total waste of hard-earned money. I wish we could get some of our money back.
7 of 15 people found this review helpful.
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Review 9 for Christopher Lowell Shore Computer Armoire, 76 1/2H x 51W x 22 3/4D, Antiqued White
April 1, 2009
SquirrelsRus
Quality
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations
5
out of
5
I am a(n):Home Office
Primary Use:Home User
Gender:Female
Age:46 - 65
Bought this product:Online
Beyond Expectations
Pros: Appearance/Design, comfortable, features, functional, Quality of Material, Well Made/ Sturdy
Cons: Size & Weight
Delivery prompt. I started by double checking the contents and then organizing. I put together by myself in 5 hours. I did need help from my husband when it came to lifting upright. I am glad that I read the review to add sliders, which was a tremendous help. This is a beautiful addition to my office...this was the final piece of the Shore's collection (I now have all) to add to my home office..and I am thrilled...adding this one piece really pulled the office together beyond my expectations. I can now close the doors to the armoire (which houses my desktop PC, 1 printer, 1 all-in-one and more!) and my home office is instantly uncluttered. The lighted display shelves allow me to personalize my work space without taking away from it. I checked "Size & Weight" as the only con...not because of the size, which I think is just right, but for it's weight in needing help to lift upright. Now that it is up and in place...it is sturdy, functional and beautiful!
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Review 10 for Christopher Lowell Shore Computer Armoire, 76 1/2H x 51W x 22 3/4D, Antiqued White
January 13, 2009
Anonymous
Quality
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations
5
out of
5
BEAUTIFUL!
Pros: Appearance/Design, functional
I put this in my nursery and have gotten SO many compliments on it! It's beautiful with a slight shabby look - and so functional. The lights in the top make it especially breathtaking.
I'm using mine as a "scrapbook station" and added a couple extra shelves and sliders - making it very custom and easy to hide my mess in-between projects.
I'm 8 months pregnant and put most of this together myself, which didn't take nearly as long as the reviews made me think it would. I spent about 4 hours on my own then my husband helped me with the heavy stuff for the next two hours. It did consume my day, but was VERY WORTH IT!
I also put sliders on all 5 feet before standing it up and now I can slide the piece anywhere I want, even with TONS of scrapbook supplies weighing it down.
12 of 13 people found this review helpful.
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Review 11 for Christopher Lowell Shore Computer Armoire, 76 1/2H x 51W x 22 3/4D, Antiqued White
September 30, 2008
Ronn
Quality
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations
5
out of
5
Very Pleased
This is an excellent item in my office. It holds all the computer items, CPU, monitor, printer, wireless modem, etc completely out of sight when the doors are closed. This helps when I need to make the office a bedroom for overnight guest. The only downside is it took so many hours to put it together. For my son, the engineer, it took 7 hours to put this together. You also need muscles or another person to assist when you need to turn the piece over or to stand it up. Once completed, we were in awe at how nice the piece really is.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Review 12 for Christopher Lowell Shore Computer Armoire, 76 1/2H x 51W x 22 3/4D, Antiqued White
September 28, 2008
MMR1939
Fort Meade, FL
Quality
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations
5
out of
5
I am a(n):Home Office
Primary Use:Business User
Gender:Female
Age:66 and above
Bought this product:Online
Home All-in-One Office
Pros: home computer office, is well designed, instructions are easy to follow., will last for many many years.
Cons: needs an hd set of casters for ease in moving it., extreemly heavy
I was 68 years old when I bought this unit.
It took me 36 hours to assemble and I needed help twice to turn it over and then stand it upright. All in all, being a woman, I think I did good. The only thing I wish I had done, was to buy a set of four heavy duty casters to screw onto the bottom for ease in moving it around.
A deep file drawer, 2 drawers for pens, Place for CPU, monitor, slide-out shelf for keyboard with shelf above it.. Two adj. glass shelves and two wooden areas for use as a shelf.
Glide out shelf for printer with storage for paper below. A place for everything and then close the doors to hide it all. Very Functional.
It took me 36 hours to assemble and I needed help twice to turn it over and then stand it upright. All in all, being a woman, I think I did good. The only thing I wish I had done, was to buy a set of four heavy duty casters to screw onto the bottom for ease in moving it around.
A deep file drawer, 2 drawers for pens, Place for CPU, monitor, slide-out shelf for keyboard with shelf above it.. Two adj. glass shelves and two wooden areas for use as a shelf.
Glide out shelf for printer with storage for paper below. A place for everything and then close the doors to hide it all. Very Functional.
22 of 22 people found this review helpful.
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