The carpeted dinette/cabover step cabinet doors and access covers are not yet finished, but I'm getting there. I have the one still to cover at the rear (Power Center/Electronics Cabinet) and the main wood framework to still complete finish poly work on, but these photos will give you an idea of the progress and methods.
Next photo shows the thin strip between the fridge cabinet and the main storage access door/step surface. Because the fridge sticks out slightly into the room, this couldn't hinge up and was a better choice to press in.
It just lifts out by pushing up from below.
Because of the cut corners prior to staple fastening, I wanted to protect the fabric edges and did so with these brass corners. I also feather touched the propane torch flame along the fresh carpet cuts to melt and seal them from fraying. The brass corners give Lil' Queeny some bling, some extra in that whole "quality of build" category and lends more toward that "gypsy-wagon feel" we're after.
After barely having enough carpet runner width to cover the longest board (that strip) I lined up the pattern for the remaining boards. That's why some of the back side stapled areas look as they do.
Then the corners were added paying particular attention to not stripping the screw threads out of the wood as the screws were very small diameter. They were long enough. Even so I had to buy a box of longer screws for the two hinged doors, as the screws that came with the brass piano hinges were questionably short, even without the extra carpet thickness. But the hinges are not shown in today's pictures.
And here's the next board set in place.
I wanted a small handle of sorts, to begin the main access door lift. But I didn't want a hole or a hard item. I decided on a leather tab.
Years ago, hunting with my dad's 30-40 Krag, the leather strap finally gave out in a weak spot so I replaced it with a nylon strap I still use. But I kept the leather and metal pieces.
Today I add some of that over 100 year old rifle's memories and history to our camper in the form of this leather tab.
Oh yeah - that's what I'm talking about!
So the one door has a tab and the other two on this side will press out from below. The opposite side door will also hinge and may have a tab - but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.
