Custom Cabinets, Shelves, Cases and Other Wooden Creations

Welcome to my site of custom-built wood creations. I will build items like this for you. This diverse collection includes cases, shelves, cabinets, stands, frames, doors and even beds. And they are all being used. None of these creations has been posed in a designer home; they are either shown installed or before being handed over to a family member. Some of those in use are dusty and a few even have cobwebs -- and you'll see how they look in a home with down-to-earth people responding to their own practical needs.

So let's get started. Each photo has a link and a description. I've grouped them somewhat, but remember that the idea is to build something out of wood for you. It will be special, like the Dutch bed or the home office. It might fit a peculiar location, such as over a stove hood, or hold CDs or a sewing machine. Everything was custom-built for a specific purpose or location.

For custom-made musical instruments, please visit my musical instruments page.

Here are some general terms and suggestions and ideas.

• We make plain items with only the simplest of decoration. The idea is utility, longevity, strength and simple beauty. Think of our work as a kind of Shaker look without the historical formality. We're not cabinet or furniture makers; we solve problems with wood.
• Items will be built with whatever method you specify -- screws, glue, pegs, a mix. If it is to be painted, screws will normally be used with filler. If it is to be natural, glue (and possible pegs and biscuits) will be used. You get the idea ... whatever looks good for you. If you don't know, we'll do the best thing for you.
• Fir is good. Most of the time it will be standard boards with knots (not clear). We like knots, especially for unpainted furniture. If you want hardwood, you get hardwood, and should tell us what kind. No rainforest woods, please. Remember that woods like walnut are killer expensive.
• Finish is your choice. We can leave it unpainted, lightly sanded, finely sanded, and even hand-rubbed. We can use furniture oil, but not for, say, sewing tables or food. We can use polyurethane, though we don't like it much. We can paint it with oil or acrylic, gloss or satin enamel, or flat. We like colonial-style paints or even milk paint. Whatever we use, it will always look and feel like wood and never look manufactured.
• There are thousands of hinges, knobs and fasteners, most of which we ignore. We use a few simple and sometimes even homely items, such as rusted hinges or pulls or plain wooden knobs. We collect items at yard sales just because we like them. We can incorporate things of your own, such as frames or little windows or knobs from a childhood dresser. You suggest, we suggest.
• If you're nearby, we can visit to take measurements. Remember we have no stock designs. Everything is built for you. If we're not nearby, send us measurements and photos. Tell us if you like high or low tables, have room for trim or baseboards, etc. We will have to visit if it's almost built-in, though. We won't install it, so it better fit!
• You might not have a precise idea of what you want. We'll use our experience to help decide. For example, nowhere will you find the solution to a sewing table that we devised. Theremin stands? There just aren't stands like that out there. And a Dutch bed outside of Hollard? Not many. The best path is to tell us what you want to do, and we'll solve how to do it and make it look good and solid and give you something you'll enjoy.
• Money: Once we settle on the ideas and you give a go-ahead, you'll pay a deposit for materials and half of the design and build cost, the remainder due on delivery or pickup. If you're reading this far, you know it won't be cheap. You can get cheap at the Christmas Tree Shop or Wal-Mart.
• Time: We don't rush, so don't ask us to. We will estimate the time as best we can. And if you make changes after the go-ahead -- well, try not to.
• Cancellation: We'll stop at any time, no questions asked. If you want what has been completed past what's covered in the deposit amount, hourly charges apply.
• Returns: No. It is custom work. We will have what you want specified on paper and we will provide it. If you change your mind or weren't specific, the item is still yours. If you make changes, we'll make changes. If it's defective, we'll fix it. If these terms aren't comfortable for you, then we probably won't work well together. But really, we're fun; you'll like us and we hope you'll have a good time seeing your problem solved together with us.