The first photo is a customized beverage/organizer for the console of a conversion van.  The second photo is a trophy/award cabinet made from parts of an old entertainment center.  The third photo is the family crest of our neighbor.  I researched her name, enlarged the design to make a pattern, then cut it out and painted it with acrylic paints.  The fourth photo is a cabinet that can be used for a variety of things..it is in the American Primitive style with a solid surface top.  It is perfect for any style of sink, but I think a top mount china bowl would look really nice.  The fifth photo is of a custom laundry cabinet that had to fit an odd size area alongside the washer and dryer.  It will get a granite top.  The sixth photo is a vanity I did for a close friend who often has small children visiting.  The bottom center drawer pulls out and becomes a step stool so the little ones can reach the sink.  When it’s no longer needed as a stool, it is easily converted to regular drawer. As you can see, I get asked to do a variety of different projects and am always looking for ways to build nice pieces from things that may usually be discarded.  I am also getting more and more requests for repair/refinishing of damaged antique furniture and am having a great time with this new venue.  Look for a future post on some of those type of projects.

Repairing the finish on the old doors, adding top coats, and resizing turned out to be a involved project.   Matching the color was the most challenging as it was by experimentation that I was finally able to get the right mix.    The solid new color was the glaze put on the old doors and then added a gloss finish. The oven/stove is incorporated in the island.  I was initially unsure how I would like the look of cabinets in two colors in the same space, but I am pleased with this fresh and different look.  You have probably noticed that if you look at any home improvement magazines that a very popular current trend is to mix and match finishes and in some cases use several in the same room.  Overall this was a project I learned a-lot from and am very pleased with the end results.

This young mother happens to be the daughter of Mastercraftsman Ken, so it was Daddy to the rescue.

The pantry was completely removed as well as all the other cabinets.  The refrigerator was then put in the corner allowing for 8 ft. of counter space.  A flannel grey solid surface top was added, 4 large 6″ deep drawers, and ample top and lower space was then gained. Notice that the new cabinets went all the way to the ceiling giving even more storage space.   White beadboard was used for the backsplash.  The bar was reconfigured by adding a taller 4′ wide cabinet and was installed facing the living room…a great space for her many cookbooks and nicer serving dishes.  Then the remaining former bar space was lowered to the normal counter height and makes a peninsula that easily fits two lower stools.  This counter continues around the sink and over to the stove.  It is white solid surface with a grey flannel inset stripe to tie it to the counter on the opposite side of the kitchen.   All the interiors of the cabinets are white laminate over wood.  A high gloss finish was used because this is an interior room with no direct window light.  Euro hinges were used on face frames,  and the doors are a traditional raised panel style.  Brushed pewter knobs and new faucet were chosen and these really compliment the grey detail in the counter.  Additional repair included a small amount of drywall patching, addition of a few more pieces of ceramic tile, and a little paint touch-up.  The install took 2.5 days with 3 helpers ( daughter, son in law, and wife) working alongside the “Mastercraftsman”.

.