By MC Ken | October 14, 2008
Finally Finished!
What made this project so difficult and enjoyable all at the same time is that all the woodwork is applied over the existing tile. The design plan was to tone down the existing tile work and at the same time give the room more traditional woodwork and more function with minimum disruption to the owners home. The only tear out was the old vanity and the the two entry doors.
The challenge… A ll the pieces were designed, finished in my shop and field installed with the minimum of anchors and nails to fill. No on site cutting except some fitting cuts that I did outside. Did I mention earlier, the room; I mean every corner and surface was 3/8″ in 48″ out. It was almost like the masons and framers guessed at plum and level. One thing I can say for sure is that it was consistently off. How the tile man did his job I will never know; but it looked good enough not to have to tear it all out.
The owners were so pleased with the final results that they actually took the time to send me a real thank you note! That make it worth all the effort. What do you think… problem solved?
Thank you from MCKen…
Topics: Bathroom renovations | 1 Comment »
By MC Ken | September 29, 2008
This is an all drawer vanity. The one it is replacing had none. A nice upgrade…yes!
This vanity features a white laminated all wood box and top. The bowl is a standard china drop in style.
The drawer fronts are a five piece, painted wood to match the laminate.
The top front edge is slightly curved outward giving the unit a dresser styling.
May I mention; this method of construction also keeps this unit very economical and very light weight.
MCKen
Topics: woodworking | No Comments »
By MC Ken | September 2, 2008
This project is compete…
There is room for “stuff” on the mantle without blocking the TV. The screen is secure in it’s own recess and it should be safe from excess heat from the fireplace. The wood matches the existing cabinetry and overall I am pleased with the final presentation.
Topics: woodworking | No Comments »
By MC Ken | July 19, 2008
The most important parts of a mantle seem to be the carvings. To locate ready made carved components that are the right size, the right wood, and of course the right carving profile characteristics is a major task. Once I found them and adjusted the area where they were going to be mounted, it was time to start making saw dust.
The process I prefer is to do all the fabrication and finishing off site in my shop. It affords me to use of all my machinery and finishing equipment. The down side is that all parts have to be pre-finished and done right with no margin for error. The details that have to be flexible or adjustable have to be engineered into the design. When all is done properly, the installation can be done quickly and efficiently with very little tools on site and little disturbance to the owners house. I think you know how it goes other wise.
This one went very well! It looked even better all decorated and lite up. No photo…
Topics: woodworking | No Comments »
By MC Ken | July 18, 2008
Putting any idea on paper is the first step in finding a solution to the many problems that need to be solved with a project that has so many limitations. The legs of the surround could only be about 4″ wide and have to wrap an outside corner touching the two side cabinets. This would limit how much detail that could be used. A claw and ball foot would be great here but maybe a little much for the other details in the room. A fluted leg with a carving at the base could work but just didn’t seem to be enough detail.
The space above the fire box is also a little complicated. To maintain a minimal heat set back on the granite, and with minimal details to create a mantle, it would require more space than was available. Then to make it tougher, the screen projected out 8″ making it impossible to display anything on the mantle.
The first thing that must be decided is to whether or not to move the screen up and if it would look better to recess it into it’s own niche. Recessing the screen also protects it from the heat of the fireplace. Since there were so many niches already, a “frame less” niche could be appropriate with the screen flush to the front. Just fortunately, we had a vent less fire box and the space above it was void of anything mechanical.
It was obvious the finish of the new mantle would have to match the two side cabinets. The coloring is a soft light brown with a darker brown glaze on maple wood. This color matching process can be a lot of trial and error to reproduce since cabinet manufacturers are not willing to give up their secret recipes.
Topics: woodworking | No Comments »
By MC Ken | July 18, 2008
The trend today with new homes seems to be that the builder does not want to deal with the woodworking details around the fireplace. Instead he has his framer build in all the niches he has room for and cover them all with drywall. Fortunately this time, the builder took the same details from the kitchen and installed two side cabinets with matching granite. The surround ended up with the same granite only because he needed some fire resistant margin for code. When the owners moved in, they decided the space above the fire pit was a perfect place for a flat screen entertainment system.
Design problems and challenges…
One…The screen hangs on the wall all right, but projects out on its bracket a good 8″ and looks bad from the side. Also, the heat from the fire box below will also void the systems warranty. Everything involved has heat sensitivity issues . 
Two…The owner liked the traditional look of her cabinets and wanted a traditional mantle surround to match. The biggest problem here was that there wasn’t any side space for details of a normal surround and to keep the minimum heat setback clearances from the fire box. The openings left and right were not symmetrical. It was off only an inch but an inch can be hard to camouflage.
Three…By the way…don’t spend too much money because we spent a fortune on the entertainment.
Let’s get designing some solutions.
Topics: woodworking | No Comments »
By MC Ken | July 10, 2008
Side Project…
This storage chest is not mine.
The chest is very old and has a lot of history that should not be lost.
It needed a lot of repair in the woodworking department, in short, it was falling apart.
The craftsman that built it put a lot of character into his work. The carving alone represents care that most of us would not even consider doing.
Hand cut dovetail corners and rope handles are very nice details I think we all can appreciate.
My job was to reassemble some joinery and refinish the chest, enhancing the coloring and glazing the carving to make it stand out even more.
The lid has a safety spring loaded arm to keep the top from pinching fingers.
Not knowing how it looked when it was new, I hope the craftsman that created this work of art would appreciate the new life I gave his work.
Topics: woodworking | No Comments »
By MC Ken | June 26, 2008
All in the details…
Working over the existing tile has been a challenge. All the details that have been designed in wood have to be finished off site in my shop. That means every part has to fit or to be adjustable on site by sanding to fit only. No caulking here!
After installing the basics, the two entrance doors into this space that were flat panel painted just didn’t look good up against the new woodwork. I am now working on two, four raised panel, cathedral head maple doors to match all the other woodwork to replace the painted existing doors. One of them has a special venting detail in the kick rail.
More to come…
Topics: Bathroom renovations, makeovers | No Comments »
By MC Ken | June 2, 2008
The most eye catching details found in a small space is going to be at eye level. What better place to create the most impressive woodworking detail is above the toilet and vanity. A closed cabinet and a tri-mirror, complete with reed pilasters and rosettes are in order. Maybe even add some figured maple plaques and a raised carving center piece. To complete the tile cover up, how about a raised panel bulkhead.
Topics: Bathroom renovations, makeovers | No Comments »
By MC Ken | May 11, 2008
CLASSIC; Natural clear finish, raised panel maple cabinetry.
Maple is a hardwood with fine even finish. It’s natural color range from creamy white to light brown tones to dark reddish browns. Maple may contain some wavy, curly, bird’s eye or burl grain that will darken. These characteristics are natural part of the wood and are not considered defects, but is what makes this classic wood so appealing.
Traditions; Light honey oak, raised panel cabinetry.
Oak is very open grained hardwood with prominent grain patterns ranging from straight to wide arcs. Natural oak color range from light tans to deep reddish browns. When finished with light colored stain, noticeable differences in color will be evident between the open and closed grain areas of the wood. This trait gives oak a presentation that makes this wood very traditional.
Tuscan; Spice stain color with coffee glaze on a framed raised panel maple cabinetry.
Maple is a hardwood with a fine even finish. Spice stain gives this wood a clean refined effect and when combined with a frame 5 piece raised panel and a coffee glaze to high light the extra detail, this style is definitely Italian.
Specifications of my ALL WOOD, IN-STOCK, cabinets.
Face frames and drawers are made from 3/4″ solid lumber. The drawers use an epoxy coated under mount, self closing slide. The doors are five piece raised panel wood design and use a euro style concealed hinge. The shelves are 5/8″ plywood and are fully adjustable. The box is 1/2″ plywood and has finished interiors and sides. The cabinets have a hand rubbed semi-gloss polyurethane finish.
Topics: Products for Sale | No Comments »
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