Built-in Entertainment Center

I really wanted to finish the basement myself, but I knew that it would take me 20 years. So instead, we hired someone else to do it, but we saved a built-in for me. In the middle of a wall we had a water meter jutting out from the foundation. We decided to box it in with drywall and this left a space that cried out for a built-in. Unfortunately the depth of the shelf only turned out to be about 16", which was not enough to accomodate any of our TVs. So we had to get one of those flat screen ones, and it seemed only right that we get one that filled up the space that I had alloted for the TV, hence the 42 incher.

Something that was kind of fun about this was that instead of trying to build something perfectly straight and square, I was trying to fit into a space that was neither square nor straight. It was actually a big relief - anything that ended up crooked was not my fault - I was just matching what was already there.

Walnut Dresser

This walnut dresser matches the nightstands that I made a couple of years ago. I hope to eventually add a headboard as well.

Cedar Adirondack chairs

I built these chairs for the Lantz's. (That's probably not how you pluralize Lantz, but there needed to be something in there, and an "e" just doesn't seem right. I guess I could have said Lantz family.)

Oak Book Shelf

This is one of my favorite projects of all time because
I built it entirely out of wood I already had sitting around, and I completed it in the span of a couple of weeks. I think it looks kind of elegant as pictured here with a handful of books and a couple of other decorative items. Unfortunately in practice it is crammed full with all manner of printed items, some shoved horizontally between a stack and the above shelf, and the top is cluttered with miscellaneous household items.

Oak Entertainment Center

I made this in the summer of 2004 to perfectly fit our TV. Who knew that just a few years later everyone would just buy flat screen TVs to hang on the wall? Dang.

Walnut Nightstands

This pair of nightstand are made from Walnut. Eventually I plan to make a coordinating headboard and dresser.

Poplar Firewood Box

I built this box for my parents to hold firewood. I cleverly matched the stain to the existing mantle. Shortly thereafter, my parents moved to a house that has a painted white mantel. Also, the new fireplace is gas. Oh well. It's seeing good use now as a book-holder-box-thing.

Audrey was 2 at the time this was built, and she had her own ideas for how it might be used. I have to say that I kind of miss Barney a little bit.