The Country Gallery

Step One Reassembling

Set your base about two feet from the wall before you start. This will make it easier to set the back in place. When the armoire is fully assembled you can then slide it back into place.

Find your wedges, there should be four of them, two of each type.

See the post standing up out of the base. It is a slot cut into it. In the next step, you will place the side then put one of the triangular wedges through this slot.

Assembling the left side.

Step Two Reassembling

You will place and affix one side at a time.

Place a side into its slot. The edge that faces front is waxed and has metal hinge pins. The pins must face UP.

And the right side will look like this...

Step Three Reassembling

First place a side, then put the triangular shaped wedge piece through each post but do not tighten at this time.

Repeat on the opposite side.

We usually mark your wedges L for left and R for right hand side.

Place at an angle at first then straighten.

Tap into place gently.

Gently push into slot on side if there is one.

Step Four Reassembling

Find the pieces that make up the back. There can be any number of pieces but they will all be marked up and down and also interior and exterior.

Generally there is a narrower center piece.

Start at one side and angle the bottom of the back panel into the slot, do not try to force it straight down. Continue panel by panel.

Slide the last panel down and in, you may have to move the side piece slightly out to do this, which is why you do not tighten the bottom wedge yet!

Tap the pieces gently into the sides if there is a groove. Don't worry if you can see through them. We will adjust them later.

The exterior part often looks like a raised panel....

The exterior of the back is facing away from Borge.

Start at one corner.

Work your way around.

You will see some gaps at first, not a problem, just keep pushing gently until all the pieces go into the slots on the top.

Apply a bit of pressure on the inside while you push on the outside.

And the last corner is in.

Step Five Reassembling

Now for the top. This is the only tricky part. Lift the top straight up over your head if you are one person or take hold of the short sides with a partner and lift up and let it rest unsecured on the sides and back.

Start at one corner, doesn't matter which and carefully push the ends of the side pieces and back into the slots in the top.

Do NOT bang, just tap and push gently. It helps if your partner holds the side still while you work on this. Use a bit of pressure on the inside, ask your partner to do this while you stand on the outside. Work your way around.

On the right side.

On the left side.

Step Six Reassembling
Place the top wedges on lightly at first.

Do NOT tighten. First you need to put in your center post if you have one and you need to adjust the back. Wait until step NINE to tighten please.

Step Seven Reassembling

Now check your back. If there are vertical gaps, find a broad headed screwdriver or a blunt chisel and gently push the pieces around until the gap disappears. The back was made this way on purpose so that it could move in wet and dry weather without cracking.

SHELVING....

Place unstained edges towards the back of your armoire.

Look for UP arrows on an edge.

Step Eight Reassembling

If you have shelving AND a centerpiece, you need to load in your shelving now, before you put in the centerpiece. Wait until you get in the centerpiece and tighten the top wedges before you put the shelving in place. Go on to Step Nine right now.

If you do not have a centerpiece then go ahead and tighten your top wedges by tapping gently, they don't need much, just a tap with a hammer or a rubber mallet or the side of your hand. Gently!

Put in all shelves at an angle, then push up the top shelf first, working your way to the bottom shelf.

Skip Step Nine and go on to Step Ten.

If you ever need to move a shelf, unscrew the wood strips, redrill and move them.

The shelves are supported on these wood strips.

see how Borge is standing with his shoulder under the armoire? He is tapping with his right hand and putting the centerpiece in with his left. There is a gap of course forming at the corner, but it will be easy to put together again. Really!

Step Nine Reassembling

If you have a center piece you need to put it in now. Make sure that you have loaded your shelving into the armoire BEFORE you insert the center piece. Or it will be very difficult to angle the shelving around the center piece!

The piece will be marked up and down. Put the down part in the slot in the base and then gently oh so gently tap tap the top up again (sorry but this is how it is done!) just enough to sneak in the edge of the centerpiece into the slot in the top. Then tap the top down into place again. Check all around.

Everything look good? Then tighten the top wedges by tapping with a hammer and a block of wood, a rubber mallet or the side of your hand. You do not need to tighten overmuch.

Sometimes there are little washers for the hinges. Please make sure you put them on!

If there was a washer for the bottom pin, place it on the body pin at this time.Stand holding the door on the outside! It is easiest to place the door back on if you have a partner who will look at the bottom pin while you look at the top.

And do the left door too!

Step Ten Reassembling

In this step we will hang the doors. Each door will have hinge pins on the outer edges. The hinges will have holes that go down onto the pins on the side pieces.

If you have little washers that we have given you, make sure you put them on the pins before you put on the door.

Step Eleven Reassembling

Close the left door and latch it. Generally there is a slide at the bottom and one at the top which fits into respective slots in the base and top.

Keep the left door latched and the right door locked or your doors may warp!

If you have a centerpiece, you will need to use your key to lock the door. See Step Twelve.

Press lightly with your right hand while you push the latch down with your left hand.....

Step Twelve Reassembling

Lock your right hand door by turning the key counterclockwise. Lock your left hand door if you have a centerpiece by turning the key clockwise! The lock should close with a distinct snap after about a quarter turn. Be gentle, wait for the snap and do not force the lock.

You may have to put one hand on the upper edge of each door to keep it in while you turn the key with your other hand. Antique cabinets are quirky!

Congratulations, all assembled! Thank you!

Troubleshooting....

Remember, you can always go back and tighten wedges as needed and move the back a bit if required.

If your doors are NOT closing easily you almost always need to put a bit of cardboard under the hind left block foot. This should fix the problem.

Step One Knockdown
Armoire is unlocked and emptied! Remove shelving if you can at this time by lifting the top shelf up and then at an angle, then the next one down and so forth. If the shelves are very tight wait until the top is removed in Step Five.

Step Ten Reassembling

Place your armoire where you like it. Lock the door by turning (in nearly all cases) the key softly counterclockwise. It should close with a distinct snap after about a quarter turn. You did it! Congratulations!

Step Two Knockdown Stand in the position that Jim is using and lift your door gently off the pin hinges. If it seems stuck, wiggle gently or tap very gently on the bottom. Keep a firm grip, often the door will just pop free. If there is a washer on one of the body pins, put it in a safe place. You will need to put it back on later.

Step Nine Reassembling
If there was a washer for the bottom pin, place it on the body pin at this time. It is easiest to place the door back on if you have a partner who will look at the bottom pin while you look at the top.

Step Three Knockdown
Remove top wedges by sliding the block towards the smaller end of the triangle. If you have metal pins, use a narrow screwdriver or a big nail and twist the metal connector clockwise until it comes free. Remove wedges or pins on both sides of the top.

Step Eight Reassembling
Place the top wedges on lightly at first. When you are certain that the sides and backs are properly in place, you can lightly hammer the wedges tight both top and bottom. If you are using metal connector pins, tighten them counter clockwise at this time. If you have shelving, place it at this time, just before tightening your wedges or pins completely. Start with the bottom shelf and work your way up, angling each shelf into place.

Step Four Knockdown
Lift the top gently off. Tap gently if you need to and if you have some help it is nice if someone stands and holds the opposite side with you, especially if the top is heavy.

Step Seven Reassembling

If you need to just start over after making sure that your back pieces are inserted correctly with the correct sequence from left to right, up and down and the back to outside and original inside facing front.

Step Five Knockdown
Remove the top completely and set aside.

Step Six Reassembling
Place the top on carefully. At first it will just rest rather awkwardly on top. Start to tap and nudge the little wedges on each side and the tops of the back segments into place.Start at one side and move around. It is nice to have some help to do this. Walk behind the armoire to fit the back. Sometimes a helper can push gently from the insidewhile you are fitting the back.Above all, be careful, use a lot touch. If you feel like you need a hammer, it is much better to check that everything is in alignment!

Step Six Knockdown
Remove the bottom set of wedges or pins. If you have help, ask them to keep the sides of the armoire firmly in place at this time.

Step Five Reassembling
You can lightly place the bottom wedges or pins at this time, do not tighten at this point. Use a screwdriver or nail to tighten metal pins counterclockwise.

Step Seven Knockdown
Gently lift one side directly into the air without wiggling. Each side usually has a thin wedge of wood that fits into the base. You need to lift directly up so that this wedge does not crack.

Step Four Reassembling

Have your helper hold the opposite side and back while you place the second side carefully in its slot. Tap and nudge to gently put everything in place.

Step Eight Knockdown
Start to gently take the back pieces apart. If the back is not marked for sequence, take a pencil or some little tags or even some masking tape and mark the sequence, up and down ends and right and left. This is particularly useful if there are lots of segments to the back.

Step Three Continued Reassembling

Complete back assembly, fitting each piece together tightly and evenly in a verticle sense. Your sequence is important.

Step Nine Knockdown
If you have some help, have them hold the side that has not been lifted off so that is does not fall off and get damaged.

Step Three Reassembling
If you are reassembling, make sure that you place each back piece in its proper sequence and tap together gently.

Step Ten Knockdown
Remove the last side by lifting vertically and gently.

Step Two Reassembling

Place a side into its slot. The correct front has a waxed piece facing front. The side with the hinges will nearly always go on the left with the pins facing upwards. If you have a helper, have them hold the side in place after you have set it carefully in place.

Step One Reassembling

If you need to reassemble, set your base about two feet from the wall before you start. This will make it easier to set the back in place. When the armoire is fully assembled you can then slide it back into place.

SHELVING....

Place unstained edges towards the back of your armoire.

Look for UP arrows on an edge.

If you have three shelves, let the middle one rest on an angle until the bottom and top shelf are in place.

Step One Knockdown
Armoire is unlocked and emptied! Remove shelving if you can at this time by lifting the top shelf up and then at an angle, then the next one down and so forth. If the shelves are very tight wait until the top is removed in Step Five.

Step Ten Reassembling

Place your armoire where you like it. Lock the door by turning (in nearly all cases) the key softly counterclockwise. It should close with a distinct snap after about a quarter turn. You did it! Congratulations!

Step Two Knockdown Stand in the position that Jim is using and lift your door gently off the pin hinges. If it seems stuck, wiggle gently or tap very gently on the bottom. Keep a firm grip, often the door will just pop free. If there is a washer on one of the body pins, put it in a safe place. You will need to put it back on later.

Step Nine Reassembling
If there was a washer for the bottom pin, place it on the body pin at this time. It is easiest to place the door back on if you have a partner who will look at the bottom pin while you look at the top.

Step Three Knockdown
Remove top wedges by sliding the block towards the smaller end of the triangle. If you have metal pins, use a narrow screwdriver or a big nail and twist the metal connector clockwise until it comes free. Remove wedges or pins on both sides of the top.

Step Eight Reassembling
Place the top wedges on lightly at first. When you are certain that the sides and backs are properly in place, you can lightly hammer the wedges tight both top and bottom. If you are using metal connector pins, tighten them counter clockwise at this time. If you have shelving, place it at this time, just before tightening your wedges or pins completely. Start with the bottom shelf and work your way up, angling each shelf into place.

Step Four Knockdown
Lift the top gently off. Tap gently if you need to and if you have some help it is nice if someone stands and holds the opposite side with you, especially if the top is heavy.

Step Seven Reassembling

If you need to just start over after making sure that your back pieces are inserted correctly with the correct sequence from left to right, up and down and the back to outside and original inside facing front.

Step Five Knockdown
Remove the top completely and set aside.

Step Six Reassembling
Place the top on carefully. At first it will just rest rather awkwardly on top. Start to tap and nudge the little wedges on each side and the tops of the back segments into place.Start at one side and move around. It is nice to have some help to do this. Walk behind the armoire to fit the back. Sometimes a helper can push gently from the insidewhile you are fitting the back.Above all, be careful, use a lot touch. If you feel like you need a hammer, it is much better to check that everything is in alignment!

Step Six Knockdown
Remove the bottom set of wedges or pins. If you have help, ask them to keep the sides of the armoire firmly in place at this time.

Step Five Reassembling
You can lightly place the bottom wedges or pins at this time, do not tighten at this point. Use a screwdriver or nail to tighten metal pins counterclockwise.

Step Seven Knockdown
Gently lift one side directly into the air without wiggling. Each side usually has a thin wedge of wood that fits into the base. You need to lift directly up so that this wedge does not crack.

Step Four Reassembling

Have your helper hold the opposite side and back while you place the second side carefully in its slot. Tap and nudge to gently put everything in place.

Step Eight Knockdown
Start to gently take the back pieces apart. If the back is not marked for sequence, take a pencil or some little tags or even some masking tape and mark the sequence, up and down ends and right and left. This is particularly useful if there are lots of segments to the back.

Step Three Continued Reassembling

Complete back assembly, fitting each piece together tightly and evenly in a verticle sense. Your sequence is important.

Step Nine Knockdown
If you have some help, have them hold the side that has not been lifted off so that is does not fall off and get damaged.

Step Three Reassembling
If you are reassembling, make sure that you place each back piece in its proper sequence and tap together gently.

Step Ten Knockdown
Remove the last side by lifting vertically and gently.

Step Two Reassembling

Place a side into its slot. The correct front has a waxed piece facing front. The side with the hinges will nearly always go on the left with the pins facing upwards. If you have a helper, have them hold the side in place after you have set it carefully in place.

Step One Reassembling

If you need to reassemble, set your base about two feet from the wall before you start. This will make it easier to set the back in place. When the armoire is fully assembled you can then slide it back into place.

SHELVING....

Place unstained edges towards the back of your armoire.

Look for UP arrows on an edge.

If you have three shelves, let the middle one rest on an angle until the bottom and top shelf are in place.

Fully assembled

Step One

There are two sets of wedges. Each set is marked for left and right hand sides.

Step Two

Set the base about one foot from the wall so you can work behind the cabinet as you set up.

Then place the left hand side piece and put in the wedge marked L. Using a hammer, tap in the wedge.

Repeat with the right hand side piece and wedge.

Step Three

You have 7 back pieces, each numbered with a white tag.

Start with number 1 and place each section from left to right. They slide into each other and into the slot in the base. Do not force the pieces, they should slide easily, just tap with your hand or a RUBBER mallet. Make sure the tops are even when you are done.

To place the last piece, you may have to loosen and move the right hand side 1/4" to the right, slide in the back piece, then tighten everything up again.

Step Four

Place the top. Fit tongues into grooves.

You will need at least two people. Lift the top and place carefully so that it balances. While one or preferably two people hold in place, the third person walks around and matches the slot in the top with the all the sides and back. You may have to go behind the armoire to tap a back section gently in place.

It will look like this...

Do NOT place top wedges at this time.

Step Five

Place Center Stile

The side with the wood attached goes towards the interior of the cabinet

Place the bottom first, then

lift up 1/8" or less on the top, just enought to slip the top part of stile into its groove.

Check that the top is sitting properly all around before you continue.

Step Six

Placing the columns.

The top of each column is marked L and R.

One side of the column is darker this side will go towards the armoire.

Place the bottom peg into the base then repeat your careful lift of the top procedure and place the top peg into the armoire top. Check the top each time to make sure the tongues and grooves are lined up before continueing.

Step Seven ---The TRICKY STEP!!!

Hanging the doors. Please please follow these instructions or the doors will get damaged.

Start by standing outside of the left hand door, crouch and feel for the metal peg and place it into its hole on the base.

Then stand up and position yourself to the inside of the door, still holding onto the door, never letting go

and with your head (my husband's method) or another person carefully oh so carefully push the top up a smidgen and again, using your hand to feel your way, push the top peg into the hole in the top. Press the top back down firmly, check that everything is in its groove, never letting go of the door for a second and place the top wedge firmly into place with a little hammer....

Step 8

Hanging the right hand door. Repeat the steps oh so carefully. Never let go of the doors!!!

Step 9

Finishing up!

Now tap the upper wedges into place until they move in to the center. There should be 7 1/2" clear on each side.

Step 10

Place the rod. First into the left hand cup then into the right hand cup.

If you are hanging heavy clothing, we recommend you tie a string around the rod and up into the hanging pegs for additional support...

Step 11

Using the locks and latches

turn key counterclockwise one quarter turn to lock

turn key clockwise one quarter turn to unlock

Keep one hand on the door with slight pressure while turning the key

The left hand door locks by means of a latch...one at the top and one at the bottom of the door.

The fully assembled armoire will look like this...

1. place the base about 2 feet from the wall.

2. place the center section on the base.

You can leave the drawers out at this point.

They are marked on the back...bottom/middle/top

NB Do NOT stand on the base it will break, stand on either side of the base.

3. It will look like this

then put in the screws from the bag marked middle section

4. Place the top. The top SLIDES in, you must SLIDE it in from the front.

Now it is almost in, just a bit more to go.

5. Now place the sides. You can start with the left side. The screws are in the bag marked Sides.

You will only attach the sides to the bottom at first.

The left side has screw holes facing down. You lever the bottom in first then put it under the top and press the top down.

6. Here is the right side bottom. The screws go in diagonally.

7. Here is the tricky part...putting in the doors!

Start with the left hand door... you will NOT tighten these screws attaching the side to the top until the doors are installed.

First place the bottom hardware on its pin, then look up and you will see the hole for the top door pin. Stand on the INSIDE of the door.

My husband is standing with a foot on either side of the base...you will need to push the top up the slightest bit, just enough to slide the pin into its hole, then push the top down again. The assistant holds the door so that it doesn't hit the floor! Use your hands to do this or the rubber mallet carefully. You will not need a lot of force. If you have a third person, have that person hold the side of the armoire.

Do not tighten the screws yet, install the two other doors first.

8. Repeat with the right hand drawer

Here Maryann is holding the side while Borge starts to place the base of the door pin in its hole. Then Maryann will move around and hold the door while he pats the top up to install the top pin. I hold the side of the armoire.

9. Install the mirrored door. Have someone hold the sides if possible. Be gentle and do not use excessive force.

The hardware for the base of the door is in its own baggie.

Start with the bottom of the door. Place the hardware on the cabinet and hold it on with one hand, slide the hole on the hardwareover the pin on the armoire.

You will have to have someone hold the door and the sides while you once again push up on the top carefully, JUST ENOUGH to slide the top pin into its hold. Be careful that the other two doors do not fall out!!!!

Then screw down the door hardware. You will only need to do this on this center door.

10. Make sure the top is pressed down firmly.

Tighten the upper sides to the top on both left and right. The screws are in the bag marked sides.

11. Place the back. The back is in three pieces. The center stile is already attached to the center section.

Then there are two more pieces...

Both left and right pieces are marked.

12. the back continued

Start on the right side. Stand outside of the back piece with your back to the wall. Place the base of the back on the ledge of the armoire first...

13. the back will look like this when it is placed correctly

Screw it in place with the screws from the bag marked Back

The back will look like this when assembled

14.Place the shelving and clothing rods

Each rod is marked L for left and R for right

Each shelf is marked for left, right and middle

15. the keys

The keys work thus...the keys are unique please keep them safe.

The door on the right and the mirrored door lock with a quarter turn counterclockwise. Experiment with this while the doors are open!

The left hand door locks with a quarter turn clockwise.