Furniture
I’ve been making stuff for the house since we moved in over two decades ago. My style is predominantly inspired by Shaker furniture - I appreciate the clean lines and emphasis on functionality - but I’m incorporating a post-modern twist to newer designs. I hope you can see the progression of skill throughout the years. Please forgive the quality of the older photos. I never assumed I’d have a webpage for this stuff.
Bedframe (2016, 2021)
First version was made in 2016 for an extended toddler mattress. When we redid the second floor, it was upgraded to a twin size. My daughter is an avid reader, so there’s plenty of book storage.
Bedframe (2021)
Made for my son. We had work done in the house and I was obsessed with framing so the bones of this are dimensional lumber. Pedestal is plywood exterior and the top is cherry. Thing’s built like a brick shithouse.
Bedframe (2024)
Cherry, with poplar plywood and dimensional lumber.
The client saw the bedframe I made for my son and requested one. While the end result is similar to the original piece, there were a couple of tweaks to the design. I altered how the base was constructed so it’s a lighter and the top half (including headboard) can be disassembled without the need for tools. These type of subtle changes make it easier for transportation without sacrificing the “built like a brick shithouse” ethos.
Breakfast Bar (2020)
Originally a full-size table bought from Economy Hardware in Boston. I converted this to a smaller breakfast bar after we had the kitchen redone in 2020. Had a slew of leftover poplar, so I went with the tried and true paint-n-finish combo.
Coffee Table and Side Tables (2017)
I had taken a good chunk of time off from woodworking when I was knee deep in pseudo rock criticism and learning how to be a parent. The coffee table was supposed to be a standalone piece but I was happy enough with the results to make two side tables to go with. Made of pine.
Console Table (2017)
The first iteration was terrible, save for the top. So I rebuilt it in 2017. Made the legs with the plunge router, which was a Very Difficult Thing To Do. Pine and poplar.
Console Table (2019)
For my mother. I had a couple of planks of 20-year old red oak from Ye Olde Big Box Store up in the rafters of the shop, so I used them and some balusters (no lathe, so I improvised) to make this console table.
Desk (2010)
Maple, with plywood for the carcass and desktop. I’m typing from this very desk right now. I love it. But apparently not enough to take more than just one picture.
Quarnatine times call for quarantine desks! Made for my son from poplar and plywood. It was this project that made me realize I should start milling my own lumber and not deal with Ye Olde Big Box store. Still, it’s a beautiful piece that turned out better than expected (although my drawer work wasn’t quite 100%). The only downside is that my kid is growing like a weed and has a massive gaming system so he’s already cramped for space.
Desk (2020)
Walnut with birch plywood.
The prior desk I made was good but represents the last of the “I’m going to the Big Box Store and seeing what I can use to make something” era. When my son outgrew it, the original plan was to simply modify the desk by raising it an inch or two and building a new tabletop. Problem was, I couldn’t envision anything that didn’t look like crap. Besides, I had a stack of rustic walnut asking to be used. I based the design off of the mid-century protractor desk, with each side angled at 4 degrees. The drawers, also angled on one side, were originally supposed to be white oak, but I whiffed on the measuring and pivoted to birch plywood. To class them up, I topped them off with 1/4” strips of walnut. Between that and the bookmatching on the cabinet and drawers, this turned out pretty amazing. In honor of the recipient, I’m naming it after him.
Desk - "The Davis" (2024)
I made the CD cabinet and thought, “If I can make one box, surely I can make a series of boxes!” and off I went on this fool’s errand. Maple with pine for the panels (don’t ask) and plywood in less places than you’d guess. There are flaws - oh so many - and I was thinking about rebuilding them when the second floor bathroom flooded the kitchen. We had a limited timeframe so I opted to sanding them down and repainting them. Shame to cover up the maple, but they look much better refinished. Even though the stiles are way too narrow and drive me nuts every time I look at them.
Kitchen Cabinets (2002, 2020)
Walnut, with birch plywood backing.
The tricky thing about living in a mansard colonial is that two out of the four walls in each second floor room is at a 12 degree angle. Hanging pictures and shelves requires creative solutions. Years back, I made a similar type of shelving unit for the daughter’s then-bedroom (now the bathroom that boasts of the sweet looking vanity below). That first unit was banged out with leftover plywood and the endless poplar cutoffs I’m finding in the shop, and made to be flush against two mansard walls. It worked out great but was only usable when against an angled wall on the right side of the piece.
For this one, I wanted to make sure it would be usable on any exterior wall (and let’s be honest, not have to deal with too much fuzzy math) and compliment the bed I made two years prior. There are some slight screw-ups here and there but nothing that can’t be hidden with books and anime figurines. If I learned anything from this, it would be that if you’re going to hang something heavy on a wall that does not have studs 16” on center, use French cleats. Holy crap, this was a pain in the ass to install.
Mansard Shelves (2023)
Original version
The first piece I ever built (not including wooden guns when I was a wayward youth)/ I had a ton of CDs and no place to put them and I had no idea how to go about finding a craftsman to build me something and I assumed I couldn’t afford one anyway. So off to Ye Olde Big Box store to buy some power tools and some lumber. “Oak looks nice,” I thought to myself, having zero idea about hard wood versus soft. But this turned out just about perfect. Gifted to a friend back in 2021.
Obsolete Media Cabinet (2000)
Rolling Cabinet (2017)
I was on a roll with poplar and plywood furniture for a spell. This piece replaced an antique sewing table that looked fancy but did nothing for storage. Simple cabinet on casters but it turned out exactly how I wanted it. Shown here before and after the kitchen renovation.
Side Table (2002)
A gift for my brother. I reused the style of joinery when I made my son’s desk. It was a lot easier the second time around. Not sure what I was doing with the angled corners but it adds charm. Maybe. Made of oak.
Stereo Cabinet (2020)
A commission! Made of maple (spalted for the top), walnut, and birch plywood.
Vanity (2021)
The first vanity I built was kinda whack. So when we renovated the second floor, I had to avenge myself. Was hoping to do something with maple or walnut but got talked into another poplar n plywood job. I have no complaints.
