NYC is undoubtedly expensive, but you don't know until you ask. I called a number of local closet guys (not the sleek 'Classy Closet' type folks--they are expensive) real, local small business owners. I got custom closets throughout my house and they were about 10% cheaper than IKEA and I didn't have to put them together, haul cumbersome boxes, etc... Some contractors don't like to play the game, but I give everyone a sample size and ask them to quote me a price over the phone. I've already figured out what IKEA will cost me, so I waste a couple of hours on the phone (put on a phone headset and clean my toilets at the same time, so really, I'm out nothing.) You come up with an interesting price, I'll have you come out and give me an in home estimate. In the closet instance, it really came out to my advantage to use local folks.

The availability of MDO depends the lumberyard, call around. As for "sealing" it, it's designed to be painted and its surface looks a bit like cardboard. Paint would be your best option for finish longevity. I suppose you could use spar varnish but I'd save that for real wood. If you're looking for something "nicer" there is marine grade plywood as well. As an aside, don't confuse MDO with MDF (medium density fiberboard), they are two entirely different products.

Well, we made a little progress today. SO agrees that he wants the bedroom to look restful and uncluttered. Now if we can just purge enough!! Edited to add that it looks like I have a lot of online options. Waiting til SO gets a few more things unpacked and gets over his travel and moving tiredness to make a final decision. Thanks for the help! Will report back when I do a reveal of the whole bedroom makeover. It's ongoing. The house is going through quite a few decorating changes/challenges now that SO is here. But we are so happy to finally be able to live together again!

No.....a Separate bag for each of the candleabra.....and I just put the serving pieces together in a bag. I do have some commercially made flannel silver rolls ( but not silver cloth) that are about 18 inches by 24....with the short end folded up 1/3 and machine stitched slots for the individual pieces and then the top folded over and the whole thing rolled up. But your stuff isn't going to get scratches just sitting in a drawer....I wouldn't worry about separating things. If your drawer has separated sections, I would just lay a piece of silver cloth in the drawer, put in your silverware and cover with another piece.