Cummins Wood Design
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Project Gallery

The Story

This one is for my Wife

She wants different

Big Vanity

The requirements are dual vanity with plenty of storage and towel storage.

Wood selection

We chose Sapele for its warm tones. Sapele is beautiful and from the Mahogany family. 

Taking Shape

The vanity is coming together. This is solid wood and is very heavy. 

The Finish

The grain pops out when finish is applied.  I chose Osmo for its ease of use and protection.

...and the mirror

I ensured to match the mirror for a finished look.

...and a shelf

Ever start a project and it never seems to end? Another touch to round it all out.

There's always a story behind every piece.

The Story

Hold onto your socks

Teak comming in hot!

Its 100% teak

Walking through my lumber supplier, my daughter walked past this beauty and said that would be a nice table.

Grain is coming out

I didn't see it in its rough nature but after a little sanding it started to show potential!

Lots of sanding!

I had hours of sanding on this 2 1/4" slab. Filed with resin in the cracks and holes...then sanded some more.

800 grit...now we're talking

Here is 800 grit.  Going this high starts to burnish the wood giving it a polished look.

Simply Beautiful

It took a long time to get here but its beautiful.  This is sanded to 1000 grit then Rubio Monicote applied.

Deliver day.

This table was finished with 3 layers of Rubio, then 2 coats of maintenance oil, then 6 coats of ceramic coating.  This process takes roughly 2 weeks to complete but the results are amazing.

There's always a story behind every piece.

The Story

What Problems Cant Be Solved Over Coffee

What's better than one? TWO!

On the Hunt!

I was commissioned by a church to create (2) 12' long coffee bar tops & 4 shelves. I sourced these two amazing walnut slabs which took a couple weeks. Huge thanks to North State Hardwoods in North Carolina! They are great to work with. 

The Messy Process

Removing the bark, sanding the live edge down with nylon brushes, filling cracks & knot holes. Despite what you may have seen on TV, this is an incredibly long process. Taking the time to fill in every pin hole...& sanding. There is countless hours sanding these two massive slabs. However, the outcome is worth it.

BowTie Action

Although this crack will get filled with epoxy, stabilizing it with a bow tie on each end will ensure this crack does not grow. Plus they are beautiful in my opinion. 

Still More to Do

This looks great so far but yet to be finished. I am applying Rubio Monocoat oil to these slabs. They will be coated 3 times with the last coat buffed in. Then Rubio Monocoat Universal Maintenance oil added for additional sheen. Later I will add a ceramic coating.

Bow Ties in Style

I had added a few bow ties in this slab for structural integrity...& I dig the way they look!  There were cracks that needed to be addressed. Some don't like the look & will add the bow tie to the bottom only. Others will use another species of wood. I wanted to maintain the walnut look so I looked for bow ties with LOTS of figure. Come on...that's nice!

Installation Day!

This bar top consists of 2 slabs measuring 23'6" long. The two slabs where cut so they matched when butted up to each other. Its these details which offer the best look for the client.

Beautiful Grain

This table was finished using three coats of Rubio Monocoat buffed in then followed up with a ceramic coating consisting of 2 base coats and one top coat. Nothing was spared.  It took many hours to finish this but this live edge deserved nothing less.

Details Matter

The client put a lot of trust in me and gave me a lot of creative leeway so when provided such freedom, going above and beyond is a must.  Here I created a message on an end piece of the bar top which allowed me to match the coffee bar perfectly.

Looking Good

Here's an image of the back. 

There's always a story behind every piece.

The Story

Same Client...Different Project

So if you build a Coffee Bar from Walnut, can you build Walnut shelves?...Yes I can

Shelves with Style

Every piece of wood is unique.  The grain on this shelf is incredible.  This walnut has some crazy waves that draw your eye to it instantly. Never gets old! 

Finger Joints Looking Great

I started to design these shelves with typical 45 degree miter joints but then I thought that would be boring.  In no way do I want my work to be described as boring.  Finger joints bring out some creative design.  Now that is beautiful!

Just Right

Details details details.  The client wanted specific width of shelves. One issue was this faucet and the proximity of the shelf. we decided to shorten the bottom by 1" compared to the top. We carried this over to the other side for uniformity.  Came out fantastic.

The Install

Installing these were much more difficult than the typical install.  This was because there were lag bolts installed to assist with shelf installation.  The issue was the lag bolts were no where near even. However, there is no issue that cant be resolved!

Mission Complete

All set and each shelf has been installed and solid as a rock. I took the liberty to install additional anchors that are capable of holding 200lbs each! These will go NO WHERE! 

There's always a story behind every piece.

The Story

A Big Nook

Nine Foot Long!

Wood Selection

Decided on Red Oak since this bench is going to get painted.  The seat is quarter sawn white oak

The layout

This nook is 9 feet long on one side and 3 feet on the short end.  It has 3 lids for storage underneath.

Getting close

Getting ready for paint and finish.

Delivery Day

This turned out great. Fit exactly as required. Finished with Rubio Monocoat.

Lots of Storage!

There's so much room inside I can fit...seriously, I fit.

Another happy client

This is phase 1 of this project.  The second phase is building the table . The lumber that was chosen is on backorder until November! 

There's always a story behind every piece.

The Story

When Asked for a "Beefy" Picnic Table

"We want a table that will last and wont be stolen!" Interesting

Built Tough

This table is built using treated Pine.  The legs are 12" wide while the top is using 6" wide boards. 

Hardware & Braces

Using Lag bolts and Structural bolts makes a big difference.  Additionally I utilized many braces and cross beams.  The end result was a rock solid table with zero racking of any kind.  

All About the Details

The feet of a picnic table is typically the first place you will get rot.  All my outside tables receive a small layer of epoxy (bottom of the feet). This eliminates any way for moisture to seep in.  Result...last for years problem free.

Pride in my work

The color is royal from Rubio Monocoat. This is not a cheap stain/oil but its a great selection.  This table is beside a churches playground which will see many kids play.  Glad to be a part of it and leave my mark for years to come.

There's always a story behind every piece.

The Story

What's not to Love about Sapele?

"I'd like a bookshelf with three shelves." Me: "That's it?"

No Direction

I wasn't given much direction in regards to design which I like.  I decided to use Sapele which is from the Mahogany family as well as some bamboo!

Design is Underway

I wanted this piece to be "chunky" in design yet elegant.  As a bookshelf there has to be a balance of openness yet a sturdy  structure.

Bamboo Inserts!

This was tricky.  I wanted the elegant contrast of bamboo to the darker red Sapele.

Ready for Shipping

I think this piece came out great. By the expression of the customer, they seem to agree.  Sapele gets darker over time. I've seen this shelf about 2 months later and it was a deeper red. Looked great.

The Specifics

The top & legs are 1.5" thick.  I added a groove in the side of each leg to provide some level of detail.  Also each leg is tapered at the bottom.  Two shelves are fully adjustable.

Simply Beautiful

The idea behind any timeless piece is to design and build it with simplicity in mind. Never go overboard but make highlights that accentuate the look you're going for.

There's always a story behind every piece.

The Story

Dad I'm Moving...

and need a book shelf

My eyes are fine

My daughter said she really liked a shelf she had a picture of.  I thought it was ok but odd.

13 Pieces of flare!

I said I could build it better so here we are.  Sapele with a pin stripe of white oak.

Beautiful wood

Not my kind of design but I did what I set out to do. Not only did I match the image given to me but I made it better. Quality absolutely matters.

There's always a story behind every piece.

The Story

The Simple End Table

Simple is Beautiful

The Picture

I was asked "can you make an end table?"  Fairly straight forward. Then I was handed a picture which had all the measurements...Easy...Great.  Wood selection was up to me, but something not to dark.

Be careful ordering online

I had to explain by there measurements the shelves would be tiny. Be careful when ordering online or through a magazine. I can tell you the table in the picture was particle board & the shelves would be less than 4" tall per shelf. Clearly not for books.

Simple and Beautiful

This is made of solid Red Grandis with an 1.5" top & 3/4" casing & trim w/3" tapered legs. Finished with Odies oil, Odies wood butter, then Odies wax. I followed that up with a Black Forest Ceramic coating for the top. 

There's always a story behind every piece.

The Story

Castles are not just for Kings and Queens

Castle Joints

Queen Castle Bed

"Can you make a queen bed from oak but make it dual sized for a Full & Queen?" Why yes I can...and with style!

Much to talk about!

This bed was designed for a young adult who one day will fly the coop. He had a full sized bed, but the idea was when he left he could use the same bed to upgrade to a queen. Kinda cool idea!

Castle Joint Legs

Castle joints are very strong, stylish and allow for easy disassembly.  On the right I had placed a "bench" style side. This allows the owner to set and put his/her shoes on or simply rest.  It can be removed very easily when adding a queen matress.

The Finish

I really like working with Odies Oil.  All natural, smells great, does a great job protecting the wood and provides a sheen. Here I applied Oddies Oil Dark. This is what gives it a natural stained look. I assure you no stain was applied.

The Details

Details are tricky. Don't add to much and wash out the grain but just enough. The grooves in the headboard are simple yet provide a modern style.  The joinery provides the majority of detail.

That's Convenient

A dedicated place for the phone is essential now days...just ask your teenager!  There is a matching "suspended" night stand  that did not make it in the images here.  Mounts directly to the wall with industrial anchors.  They loved it.

There's always a story behind every piece.

The Story

Pulling out all the Stops

Japanese Inspiration

Unique, yet practical

Here I am using White Oak & Wenge. Wenge is a beautiful & heavy timber sourced from Central & Western Africa.

Much to talk about!

Quarter-sawn White Oak drawers bring some figures to the drawer fronts with a cut-out displaying the underside Oak. Wenge handles provide a touch of contrast and elegance.

Exposed Joinery

Through Mortis & Tenon joinery with Wenge wedges to provide the ultimate strength and elegance.

Ultimate Shine

This top was block sanded up to 800 grit, bringing out the wood's natural shine. We next polished it with a buffer & Rubio Monocoat oil. 

Absolutely Beautiful

The finished table is absolutely beautiful!  Although I crafted this, I still can't take my eyes off it. 

Stunning

This table is solid & heavy.  It is the pinnacle of elegance, beauty, & style while being functional. 

There's always a story behind every piece.

The Story

Bench Restoration

Dirty but fulfilling job. Thanks David for trusting me with these!

Needs a little TLC!

This bench came to me in rough shape. The cast iron was rusty & the wood was rotten.  Too much moisture (aka rain/dew/snow etc.), & UV rays. But there's real potential down in there!

And no...no gas was used, at least on the bench.  Just a mowing day.

Finished Product

The metal restoration was done the old-fashioned way with elbow grease, time & a wire brush/wheel. We added some primer, paint, new bolts & beautiful Ambrosia Maple with a finish to top it off. Restorations such as this, at the surface, seem quick & easy.  As much as that sounds amazing, I can say it's anything but quick and easy.

Yes, details matter

These braces and stretchers got the same treatment. Sanded down to bare metal, paint & new screws.  Everything was secured very nicely. In the end, they came out fantastic! They because the bench had a twin!


The Cross

When a church askes you to build their cross...pressure is on!

How big?

It took us a while to find these beautifully monstrous, true 6"x6" cedar planks harvested here in NC. Typically, this wouldn't be an issue however it was the length.  We purchased (2) 6"x6"x14' long beams...& they were HEAVY! Thank you, Johnathan, for your help & flatbed truck.

Lots of Sanding

When asked to do a project like this, I felt it had to be perfect. The joint in which the two pieces came together was tight...perfect. We almost didn't need anything to hold it together!  Of course, we did.  I'm confident this will last for years.  PS...easy buddy, I'm not wearing a Jack Daniel's shirt while building a cross! If ya know, ya know.

Into its home

Incredibly satisfied with how this turned out.  Attention to detail and taking our time paid off.  I'm convinced this cross weighed every bit of 350 lbs...or more. 

Thanks to Grace Church for allowing us the opportunity & putting your trust in us. 

The Story

Console Table

Thick Walnut...Gotta love it.

Naked and Afraid

I wish I had more pictures of the process. Don't know what I was thinking. This is a 2" slab of walnut w/partial live edge (the two ends) All the bark was removed using some power grinding and then smoothed out. This picture is before the finish was applied (aka naked/raw wood).

Whats up with the Feet?

My wife at first didn't like the feet design. She's an "everything must be symmetrical" kinda gal. I said, "where's the art in that?" She since changed her mind once the finish was applied & placed in our home.  Lucked out there!  Note to self...consult your better half!

Odies to the Rescue

I applied Odies Oil which brought the grain out in a fantastic way. Every piece of wood has unique grain & this one was no exception!

At its Final Destination

Walnut will get lighter over time, especially in direct sunlight. With that in mind, I went back over this with Odies Oil Dark, followed by Odies Wood Butter. Great natural products...& no, they don't pay me to say that...(although that would be great). 


Is There Such a Thing as to Much Figure?

Birdseye Maple...Too beautiful to pass up.

Love it or Hate it

Often I get so caught up in creating that I forget to take pictures of the process. Here is the end table I built out of Birdseye Maple with a walnut accent & walnut/maple handle. This wood in such a large piece of furniture turns some people off. I attempted this after my wife saw this maple on a cutting board & said she liked it.  Enough said!

What is that?

When my kids saw this figuring of the wood, they thought that they would feel every "speck" of the Birdseye. As if it was pitted. For those unfamiliar with this amazing lumber, this goes all the way through.  Once sanded properly and LOTS of it, it comes out smooth as glass. As I've stated before, this is like a thumbprint.  No two pieces are the same. Can there be too much figure? For me...absolutely not. It reminds me of a Victorian-era piece, but what do I know?

Wife to the Rescue!

I'm not a picture guy. You'll probably notice my pictures with a messy shop & subpar focus. If you see any good photos, I can honestly say I didn't take them! Sad, I can work a saw and do some geometry with weird angles, but the camera...perplexed.

Here it is in its final resting home. As with other furniture, I finished this off with Odies Oil & Odies Wood Butter.

The Story

Walnut End Table

Who doesn't Love Walnut?.

Pre-Finish

Guess what finish I'm going to use? Creature of habit...Odies Oil Dark & Odies Wood Butter it is! I can't seem to help it. I just like it. What's not to like...all natural & does a fine job of protection.

Finished & in Place

Came out great. Through tenons are excellent on the right piece.  Pay no attention to that lamp....we'll get to that. Besides, that shade wasn't happening.  Kinda odd.

Heart & Sapwood Unite

You'll notice the lighter-colored walnut along with the darker-colored walnut. This is heartwood & sapwood together.  Some people don't like the sapwood & request that it be removed from any plans.  I like both as it gives contrast and depth.  But as they say, "you do you". 


Simple and Elegant

The grain...amazing!

Get Bent

I wanted to create a unique yet simple shelf.  I think I accomplished it with this bent bracket walnut shelf with a Zebra wood inlay.  Each bracket is made up of five pieces of walnut laminated together creating the strongest bond. This provides the ultimate strength for the shelf.

Details Matter

I enjoyed creating this subtle yet elegant shelf.  The grain is incredible.  The zebra wood inlay (along the shelf) was recessed about 1/8 of an inch to give depth & then a 45-degree chamfer was applied to the bottom of the shelf.  This creates a more interesting look to what otherwise would be a ordinary (traditional) look.

Up against the wall!

I never liked gaps on behind the shelf when the brackets ran the entire length.  Here I recessed the bracket through the shelf, providing a flush fit to the wall.  This shelf is held up with four screws & then buttons are pushed into those holes. Often you're given buttons of end-grain wood.  I take a different approach & cut my own buttons with the grain side. This way, when pushed in, it matches the grain pattern. Almost invisible. 

The Story

Let There Be Light!

So many variations!

Milling Process

This is a Goncalo Alves board being milled up for a lamp.  Amazing wood. When finished, it's hard to beat. Also makes excellent coasters!

Unique Style

This lamp is made of Goncalo Alves for the base & spiral, then Curly Maple for the post. Also, I have inlaid copper strips on each side of the post. 

Like a moth to light

I find myself looking at this a lot. I've not seen anything like it....go ahead & look...I'll wait.  A nice touch with this lamp is the antique bulb.  I'm digging it.


Another Spiral Lamp?

Of course...its Bloodwood!

That's not Stained?

This is an all-natural wood. This piece was finished with Odies Oil & Odies Wood Butter (yet again). The base & spiral are Bloodwood, and the post is Walnut.

Glowing Red

With the vintage light installed, it almost appears like the Bloodwood glows.  This is a very dense & heavy wood, so the chances of tipping over are not likely...unless you're into throwing things. 

Options are good

We didn't care for the lampshade on this lamp.  And by we, I mean my wife. Although it's true the shade is a bit small for the lamp, I still dig it.  Guess I need to make another lamp.


What do I do with that?

Everyone just notices your looks. Do they even care or notice your ability to press perfect tortillas?

Tortilla Press!

This tortilla press is made from Curly Maple, Walnut, Paduak (handle), & Cypress (base) Amazingly beautiful. 

Built like a Tank!

My daughter's boyfriend said his Mom has an old press & you can't buy them that way nowadays.  Challenge accepted! This baby came out great...and HEAVY. 

Beauty AND Function

Not only looks good but works just as fine! Homemade tortillas. I may not be able to cook, but I know someone who can!


Don't go I can Explain!

Never did I see this coming

What the...

Most unusual request..."Can you make me a nightstand for a platform bed?" I'm not the most trendy guy, so my response was, "What's a platform bed?"

To Google, I go...& probably some Oak wood.

Who knew platform beds where that close to the ground...well I didn't know this was a thing...and trendy? Not for this guy. Not sure I'd be able to get out of it!

It's ALIVE!

The client had a few requests.

1. It's got to be no more than 12" tall.

2. Want it to look like a tree growing up into the nightstand top.

3. It Must be black.

4. Want lights incorporated, "maybe mason jar lights."

5. Want a space on the bottom to hold change.

Challenge accepted!

Let me explain.

This may not be your thing. Frankly, it's not for me, but the client loved it! 


Here's what I would point out.

The black stain was somewhat of a new product & it didn't disappoint. Very even and rich while brining out the grain.

The power carving in the bottom made a nice large spot for change.

The branches seemed to grow out of the "trunk" (base) exceptionally well & those lights are pretty incredible considering their size. 

Mission accomplished.


Cutting Boards

Finishes are all natural

Walnut end grain

Walnut & Oak long grain

Zebra wood, Wenge & Oak end grain

Happy client. Fit like a glove

One can compromise on many things...craftsmanship isn't one of them

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