Originally,we used this closet to store my collection of almost 900 DVDs. Now that that has been purged, we decided to create some pantry space.

Because the closet originally housed the furnace, it was never walled in. So instead of just adding shelves, I basically needed to build an enclosed storage area with sides, back, and shelves.

Here is what I mean:

Here I have the back and two sides cut to size. I am installing the 1×2 shelf supports.

Because the storage unit is larger than the closet opening, I have to insert the pieces into the closet and then assemble it. What I did was clamped the sides to the back and pre-drilled holes for the shelves into the supports.

Once I get the pieces into the closet, I will screw the shelves into the supports and that will hold everything together.

And there we go. Not bad for one afternoon. I used pre finished shelf boards so I didn’t have to sand and paint.

I will admit the sanding and painting are not my favorite part of any project so I left it in my friends capable hands. He actually did an amazing job with a surprisingly cool color.

Eventually there will be side units and even a bridge across the top.

Extreme Playroom Makeover

Of course, this would be no ordinary dog house. The design specification called for not only fully insulated walls, but floor and roof as well.

I used 2x2s to frame everything. The trusses were a fun exercise in geometry but were no match for my miter saw. My sister requested a removable roof, I guess to clean it out if the dog dies in there or something. The outer trusses are the only ones actually attached to the house and will act as guides for taking the roof on and off.

My dog-sized testers approve of the framing job for the door. Of course my sister wanted a curved top just to make things a little more interesting.

Here is the with the walls installed and the roof in place. You can also see the molding around the corners and roof.

The porch was a fun little addition. I especially like the molding around the door.

I wish a new roof on my house would install this quickly and easily. Of course we used tar paper first. Not a drop of rain is getting into this baby.

My sister and brother-in-law will be painting the dog house. But before we deliver it and put it in place, I called in my helpers to prime the base to help avoid the wood rotting. The house will be elevated on blocks but it can’t ever hurt to over build, right?

Here the dog house is in place and fully primed. Nice that the roof can be removed to make it easier, huh?

And there you go. Not to shabby.

After researching several kinds of bins we decided on a variation of the New Zealand bin.

I used 1×6 cedar fence boards. They are relatively inexpensive and cedar is resistant to rot and bugs. Step number one is to cut all the pieces.

This bin has two compartments. The idea is after several weeks, the compost can be rotated to the second allowing it to more quickly finish the process. The gaps in the walls allow oxygen to get in.

The hinges lids make it easy to put stuff in. It’s difficult to tell, but the slats on the front of each box slide up and out giving me easy access for rotating or removing the compost.

I can’t wait to actually use some of this compost in our garden.

The wall consists of three sections. The first was easy. Using a little chalkboard paint I created a chalkboard.

The second was a little more difficult. I eventually found a sheet metal manufacturer in Ballard who was able to make me a sheet of galvanized metal to my exact dimensions, conveniently turning this section into a magnet wall.

The third section on top is a padded fabric background. I will string cables across to clip artwork to.

The molding really finished everything nicely. Of course, Jess wanted the molding ultra white which meant repainting all the molding in the hallway.

A few months later and the art wall is already well used. We have magnets aplenty, so much artwork to hang it has to be rotated, and a chalkboard full of pictures.

I saw the plans on Ana-white.com. I didnt have a specific use for this shelf unit but I thought it looked cool anyway.

The plans called for building the interior shelves first then adding the outer pieces. In retrospect, I think I like doing the outer frame first and cutting the interior pieces to fit.

This project sat in my shop unfinished for months until one day, randomly, a friend of mine sent me a picture of this very unit asking if I would help her build one.

I’ve discovered the downside of using MDF is trying to paint it. Sure MDF is nice and straight, smooth, and easy to cut, but this stuff soaks up the paint. Even using special sealing primer, it still took me several coats to get an even white finish.

Final picture.

As part of the new plan, we asked to host my family for Christmas Eve. As we did not have a dining table per se, a project was born.

I found this plan on Ana-white.com and we both liked it. For the table top itself I actually used a solid core uncut door.

Here is the basic framing.

I intend to allow for leaf insert to accommodate the whole family and collapse the table for every day use.

I mounted some 1×2 guides on the bottom of the top pieces so they would easily fall right into place. You can’t see it, but I have dowels between the two to line them up, buckles to lock them together, and deadbolts to stop them from coming up.

Here you can see the finished product with the leaf installed. Plenty of room.

Here is the table without the leaf in its default configuration. I really like this style with the gap between tabletop and frame, and I think the white frame and natural top turned out great.

I began with the basic frame. The entire frame is built from 1x4s making it very easy to cut parts with just a miter saw.

I used a nice manufactured project board for the top cut to size. Since this will be painted, solid and smooth were more important to me than a beautiful wood grain. Simple drawers, simple rails. I love the nice, clean look of this desk.

Jess chose an ultra white semi gloss finish. I used several coats, sanding lightly in between to get it as smooth as possible.

She has been using it for quite a while now and it hasn’t fallen apart so I guess it works.

What says Christmas better than Santa’s sleigh and reindeer?

I started my project by scouring the web for some cool clipart of a sleigh and reindeer. From there I came up with the final image, used some simple cross-multiplication to find the percentage I needed to increase the image, and enlarged it using the photocopier. From there it was quick work to trace the pattern onto a pine plank and cut it out using my scroll saw.

I wanted the sleigh to be 3-D so I made two of the sides and created a front, back and bottom. I used some gold bolts to attach everything together. Wait until you see the paint job.

The first step is the red. Obviously I wanted the brightest Christmas red I could find.

After taping off the red, painting the yellow, and giving it some black borders with a big sharpie, I love the way it turned out.

In the middle of the project I added to the concept and created Santa’s bag, complete with gold ties.

I also found enough scraps and paint to build this chimney quick. I think this will really give the cabinet tops a rooftop feel.

The reindeer were tricky but turned out amazing. There are four reindeer, two different patterns, and they all are prancing at a different angle. Once “harnessed” to the sleigh I will alternate one toward the front, one back, one front, one back giving it a 3-D feel. And yes, those are red, green, and gold harnesses with gold D-rings for the reins.

Of course, it is not Santa’s sleigh without Rudolph. Like any Retail Operations Banker would, I dismantled and rewired an LCD flashlight using a red sharpie on the light bulb. What do you think?

The moment of truth. Of course, the picture doesn’t do it justice, but I have snow on the roof, light surrounding the “rooftop”, and presents in the back of the sleigh. How am I going to top this next year?

Plans are already in the works…