Linear

Customer comments about Linear 51h 67w Office Armoire Three-Door/Three-File Drawer Right with Steel Base:

I've had this for a year now. I wanted to get this desk in the walnut but thought I'd have a mammoth piece of furniture needing waxing throughout the year. Fortunately, I found out the charcoal maple would not only be the hardest of the woods available (important with a high-use desk!), but the charcoal finish is a lacquer that doesn't require waxing. Much more what I was hoping for!

The desk is large and beautifully designed, whether the drawers, cabinets or drop-down workspace. You do have to get used to opening the slide out drawers on the left before you open the drop-down the work area since it completely blocks them. I've had a few times where I would try to awkwardly lift the workspace up while fumbling under it for the drawers.

I went with the largest model of this desk because my printer is a huge fax/copier combo, and only it, my monitor, speakers, keyboard and mouse fit up in the large upper work area. I have my mid-sized computer tower angled in the lower two-door cabinet, along with my subwoofer, internet router and modem. It is not necessarily a "cable management nightmare!", but make sure you don't have the desk up against the wall, so you can easily access your power strip and string cables from the bottom cabinet to top and vice versa.

The lower cabinet could definitely use larger or more holes, though, as ventilation is definitely an issue. Even with just my modem and router running, if the lower cabinet doors are closed, the space and air get very hot inside. If I'm not having company over (my desk is in the main living space area), I tend to keep one lower cabinet door open wide enough so it doesn't auto-shut, and that keeps the temperature down. Otherwise, if company's over I close it up for a few hours. Not ideal, but I'm working with it.

The finish is also a bit annoying. It's a matte lacquer, and there are a few fingerprint/handprint spots on the drop-down work area that are impossible for me to remove with either microfiber cloths or simple water and cloth. So there are obvious dull splotches in the lacquer all over the drop-down work area that I just have to accept, even with trying to be conscientious of the finish.

Last, I had hoped that "charcoal" would actually be a dark gray, but as the delivery guys called it-- it's black. R&B has other furniture made by other manufacturers called "charcoal" and it actually is a dark gray. Not here. It's a shame because the finish is so heavy, you have to look closely to see the woodgrain-- it almost looks the same as the espresso-colored wood veneer furniture from Ikea, which isn't solid wood, and it's a little awkward to look at this piece and wonder if it's solid or veneer. (It's solid, btw)

Regardless, after a year I'm still happy with the desk, and I continue to receive compliments on it whenever company comes over, which is an unexpected bonus.

Service and delivery comments:

R&B hires the best delivery guys, bar none. They're always friendly, clean cut and professional. They delivered two pieces at the same time, when I thought I'd have a week delay between the two items. Nice! Always happy to see these guys.

Customer comments about Linear 51h 67w Office Armoire Three-Door/Three-File Drawer Right with Steel Base:

Haven't received the desk yet, but wanted to let others know that you can ask R & B to swap where the small drawers and file drawers are so that the small drawers are accessible when the desk is open. After seeing several reviewers mention the issue I asked the Soho store and for no additional costs I am having the drawers reversed on my desk. Looking forward to a practical and attractive desk area in our home.

Customer comments about Linear 51h 35w Office Armoire One-File Drawer/One-Door with Steel Base:

Construction is sturdy and lower doors/drawers have very beautiful wood grain. The fold-down armoire door, however, is framed veneer. It doesn't look terrible, but the slight color variation and mirrored pattern is noticeable against the quality solid wood on the rest of the piece. Backing, drawer bodies and shelves are particle board/veneer as well, but that is to be expected in this price range.

Also, the hinges of the fold-down armoire door bend out of place easily if a cord or the like gets pinched between the door and the body, producing an improper fit and a door which will not close. The remedy - bending the hinges straight - is simple but tedious, and may need to be done by a service technician to protect your warranty.

Service and delivery comments:

Delivery was prompt and fabulous. Very careful placement and attention to walls, art, tight spaces and animals. Placed everything exactly where I wanted it before leaving. Kind and social folks.

Customer comments about Linear 51h 51w Office Armoire Two-Doors/Two-File Drawers with Steel Base:

Purchased desk with idea that we would be downsizing soon. The Armoire style can be used in many rooms and offers "hiding" work in progress. My husband wishes to add a console surface to expand workspace. Some regret that I did not get the one with 2 utility draws and 1 file drawer but if 2 of us end up using desk together it may be good to have separate file drawers. Hard to come up with additional small item storage without the drawers and not waste space. Thought the cherry color would be warmer more like oak than cherry. All in all I'm happy with the desk. Love, love, love Room and Board.

Customer comments about Linear 51h 51w Office Armoire Two-Doors/Two-File Drawers with Steel Base:

My desk was delivered "needing wax" per the comment of the truck driver. I could have determined that as well. But then i had to purchase the wax. I think at this price point, wax should be included. I understand that two coats were put on before leaving the factory but when it arrives needing a product, the product should come free with the desk. Other than that all else is SUPERB

Customer comments about Linear 51h 67w Office Armoire Three-Door/Three-File Drawer Right with Steel Base:

Good: The wood is heavy and thick.
Bad: nothing made out of this much wood should be designed this large. It should be in two pieces, because it's just too heavy. I needed to move it two inches, and couldn't budge it! Also, the handles don't have a hole or anything you can hook your fingers around, so it's hard to open the drawers and doors.

Service and delivery comments:

My first unit came damaged, and the delivery person pointed it out very honestly. The crew on round two should get a week off now-- they almost couldn't get the piece moved in, it is so ridiculously heavy.

Customer comments about Linear 51h 51w Office Armoire Two-Doors/Two-File Drawers with Steel Base:

Excellent customer service at the South Coast Plaza Branch! Love Room and Board. Thank you, Bao for excellent customer service!

Customer comments about Linear 51h 51w Office Armoire Two-Doors/Two-File Drawers with Steel Base:

I have a small one bedroom apt that I work out of. This is a great piece for a home office. Niced storage and doors and cabinets close up so papers aren't all over the house. Its difficult to get to the bottom cabinet when the desk is open. But I haven;t found anything contemporary that I like more.

Customer comments about Linear 51h 51w Office Armoire Two-Doors/Two-File Drawers with Steel Base:

Great service - shopped for one year until we found this piece

Customer comments about Linear 51h 51w Office Armoire Two-Doors/Two-File Drawers with Steel Base:

I am disappointed that I just spent top dollar on an office armoire designed and advertised to house computers that does not factor in ventilation into the design. The "wire management" for this armoire consists of one 2-1/4" diameter hole in the back of each of the cabinets. Once the cables are run, there is no room for airflow, and the cabinets heat up almost instantly. In order to keep computer and routing equipment on, I have to leave the cabinet doors open. This is annoying to look at and defeats the purpose of the cabinet.

This expensive armoire should have been designed with large vented openings in the back of each of the cabinets.

I would go as far as to say that this cabinet should be recalled for safety reasons, and all those who purchased it should be sent a new back panel with optional vent cutouts in the side and bottom cabinets.