She wants different
The requirements are dual vanity with plenty of storage and towel storage.
We chose Sapele for its warm tones. Sapele is beautiful and from the Mahogany family.
The vanity is coming together. This is solid wood and is very heavy.
The grain pops out when finish is applied. I chose Osmo for its ease of use and protection.
I ensured to match the mirror for a finished look.
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.
Teak comming in hot!
Walking through my lumber supplier, my daughter walked past this beauty and said that would be a nice table.
I didn't see it in its rough nature but after a little sanding it started to show potential!
I had hours of sanding on this 2 1/4" slab. Filed with resin in the cracks and holes...then sanded some more.
Here is 800 grit. Going this high starts to burnish the wood giving it a polished look.
It took a long time to get here but its beautiful. This is sanded to 1000 grit then Rubio Monicote applied.
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.
What's better than one? TWO!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Here's an image of the back.
There's always a story behind every piece.
So if you build a Coffee Bar from Walnut, can you build Walnut shelves?...Yes I can
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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
Nine Foot Long!
Decided on Red Oak since this bench is going to get painted. The seat is quarter sawn white oak
This nook is 9 feet long on one side and 3 feet on the short end. It has 3 lids for storage underneath.
Getting ready for paint and finish.
This turned out great. Fit exactly as required. Finished with Rubio Monocoat.
There's so much room inside I can fit...seriously, I fit.
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.
"We want a table that will last and wont be stolen!" Interesting
This table is built using treated Pine. The legs are 12" wide while the top is using 6" wide boards.
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.
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.
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.
"I'd like a bookshelf with three shelves." Me: "That's it?"
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!
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.
This was tricky. I wanted the elegant contrast of bamboo to the darker red Sapele.
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 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.
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.
and need a book shelf
My daughter said she really liked a shelf she had a picture of. I thought it was ok but odd.
I said I could build it better so here we are. Sapele with a pin stripe of white oak.
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.
Simple is Beautiful
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.
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.
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.
Castle Joints
"Can you make a queen bed from oak but make it dual sized for a Full & Queen?" Why yes I can...and with style!
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Japanese Inspiration
Here I am using White Oak & Wenge. Wenge is a beautiful & heavy timber sourced from Central & Western Africa.
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.
Through Mortis & Tenon joinery with Wenge wedges to provide the ultimate strength and elegance.
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.
The finished table is absolutely beautiful! Although I crafted this, I still can't take my eyes off it.
This table is solid & heavy. It is the pinnacle of elegance, beauty, & style while being functional.
There's always a story behind every piece.
Dirty but fulfilling job. Thanks David for trusting me with these!
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.
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.
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!
When a church askes you to build their cross...pressure is on!
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.
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.
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.
Thick Walnut...Gotta love it.
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).
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!
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!
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).
Birdseye Maple...Too beautiful to pass up.
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!
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?
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.
Who doesn't Love Walnut?.
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.
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.
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".
The grain...amazing!
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.
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.
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.
So many variations!
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!
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.
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.
Of course...its Bloodwood!
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.
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.
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.
Everyone just notices your looks. Do they even care or notice your ability to press perfect tortillas?
This tortilla press is made from Curly Maple, Walnut, Paduak (handle), & Cypress (base) Amazingly beautiful.
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.
Not only looks good but works just as fine! Homemade tortillas. I may not be able to cook, but I know someone who can!
Never did I see this coming
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!
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!
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.
Finishes are all natural
One can compromise on many things...craftsmanship isn't one of them
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