Marvelous Woodworking Custom Doors, Woodworking Projects Permalink

Project Highlight: Custom Sliding Doors

Marvelous Woodworking December 23, 2019

The open concept home design we see these days has many benefits, but quiet and privacy is not one of them. My client needed their first-floor office to close to keep everyday family noises out of the working space. There were two existing openings to the room, a large one in the home’s entryway, and another to the kitchen. Since neither opening could fit ready-made options, I designed and built custom sliding doors for them.

Custom Sliding Doors

The large opening off the entryway required a custom design for a few reasons. Changing the existing entry would have been expensive and involved before any doors were even purchased. And, my client wanted four doors of the same size within the 12 ft opening, two of which would be stationary and the other two would slide. My client and I decided to work with the existing space, crafting custom sliding doors to her design specifications. There was a great deal of engineering that went behind the design and build. I had to ensure there was proper settling when the doors were closed, and appropriate clearance to allow them to move across each other to open. Finally, since my client wanted the doors to settle in a particular way when they were open, so I had to design the four panels to function with that look in mind.

My client also wanted more glass than trim and a mullion style to complement the other windows throughout the home. I decided to use exterior grade glass which already had the mullion, which simplified the process and saved my client some money. I built the frames out of redwood, chosen for its stability and weight. The doors are oversized – 8ft tall rather than the typical 7ft. The sliding track system had a weight limit, so the height combined with heavy exterior glass meant we had to choose our other materials carefully. I felt that redwood would be the perfect option since it is lightweight and has a straight grain, reducing the tendency to warp or twist (which would make the doors inoperative). I painted the wood white to complement the rest of the home.

Custom Barn Door

My client had always wanted a sliding barn door in her home, and the entryway from the kitchen was the perfect spot. She had found a picture as an example and we worked together to design the amount of window vs. wood. The goal was to allow a quick check into the room without having to open the door, so 1/3, 2/3 ended up working best. We chose commercial-grade hardware to ensure the door was supported well and moved smoothly. Since the sliding doors I installed on the other side of the room were glass, the first thing one sees upon entering the home is the cool barn door. It sets a modern, updated tone to the home, which was a goal for the project.

I really enjoyed working on this project, combining cool design with special technical elements that made it all come together. There were some design limitations due to the engineering; my client was a great partner in marrying the two together, allowing us to create just what she wanted. I had completed other projects with her before, so she understood my approach and trusted me to use good judgement. It’s these wonderful working relationships that I have with my clients that make me love what I do. If you have a design vision for your home but are not sure how to engineer it, send me an email or give me a call at (317) 679-5890.

22 Nov 2019

Marvelous Woodworking Custom Furniture, Woodworking Projects Permalink

Tortoises, Carts and Shrines: Unique Woodworking Projects from 2019

Marvelous Woodworking November 22, 2019

In between the larger projects like staircase remodels and wainscoting installations, I occasionally take on smaller projects that intrigue me. Many times I will have a former client ask for a unique item, or a phone call will come into the shop with the question “do you do things like this?” I am thankful for both situations, which led me to build some fun projects this year:

Custom Patio Cart

After completing a wainscoting installation and mudroom remodel, my clients and I were chatting about the other kinds of projects I have completed. I showed them a picture of a custom teak patio cart I had made for another client. Turns out these clients had been talking about getting one, so they asked me to make one for them too. They had been looking online but could not find one that suited all their needs. Plus, good quality materials and construction are very important to them, and they were worried about taking the chance on ordering something sight unseen. They put together a wish list of the varying functionalities they needed, and I created a design. I used ipe (pronounced eee-pay), a South American wood species known for its weather-resistant properties. It is also very hard, so it was a challenge to work with. I could not drive a nail or screw into it without pre-drilling a pilot hole. Also, the wonderful water-resistance meant it did not take glue well. I had to come up with a design that would allow for strong mechanical joints without using an adhesive. Good planning, engineering and detailing went into the creation of the patio cart. The main features my clients were looking for were a removable stainless steel tub in the top to ice beverages and drain easily, a bottle opener on the side, a shelf on bottom, and a matching wood piece that they could cover the tub with to allow it to function as a table when needed. I also designed the cart to fit in a particular spot on their deck. Finishing touches included using stainless steel exterior grade hardware, sealing of every joint, and applying a teak oil finish to show off the wood (and the benefit of additional sealing). This patio cart is not only perfect for my clients’ needs, it will outlast us all!

Tortoise Habitat

New clients approached me about creating a habitat for their beloved tortoise. I was intrigued at the idea of doing something so different. I was introduced to the tortoise (don’t call it a turtle) by their 5-yr old son, who had done a great deal of research on his pet and the appropriate habitat. We worked together to come up with a custom design, which included a house for the tortoise to burrow into, a heat lamp for basking, and a bit of room to move around. The final 3ft x 6ft piece included 18” sides as well. I wanted to add a bit of character to the tortoise house without going over budget, so I looked to doll house elements that are easily found in hobby stores. Moisture was a consideration too, since there was a water bowl that would splash, and tortoise droppings that would…drop. I sealed up edges with caulk and lined the bottom with plastic to make the piece waterproof. To ensure the health of the tortoise, I used only natural materials that one would use in a kitchen, especially since the resident was prone to chewing. I wonder how many woodworkers can say they built a home for a tortoise? I must say I thoroughly enjoyed that project.

Wayside Shrine

If you have been to Austria, you may know what is pictured above. My client and her husband had visited the country years ago and were inspired by the wayside shrines they saw throughout their travels. When they returned home, the husband made one for their deck as a unique reminder of their trip and their faith. The shrine had suffered from being outside for many years, and the wife was looking to have it repaired as a memorial to her now late spouse. I tried to keep as much of the original material as I could while bringing it back to its original beauty. I also sealed it up well so I would last a long time. This project was especially moving for me. When the original call came in with the questions “Do you do this?” and then “Would you do this?”, I was hesitant to take on such a small project. I was in the area however, so I stopped by to see it and once I met my client and her caregivers, there was no way I was not going to help. It was incredibly gratifying to install the refreshed piece for her. There were tears all around.

I have mentioned many times in my blogs how lucky I feel to do what I do for a living. I am grateful that it also allows me these opportunities to bring something special to people. This time of year its natural to take a moment to appreciate our lives. For me, my thankfulness is rooted in my family, livelihood and faith. And you. Thank you for trusting me with your homes and dreams!

11 Nov 2019

Marvelous Woodworking Fireplace Mantels Permalink

Project Highlight: Modern Fireplace Mantel and Feature Wall

Marvelous Woodworking November 11, 2019

For many homeowners of our local 90s homes, there just comes a time when they need to do a complete overhaul of their space. Such was the case for my client. She was ready for a dramatic change to the first floor of her Westside Indianapolis house. Designer Elain Pauley brought me in to help with the fireplace mantel and feature wall. The goal was to give it the modern look that the rest of the home was begin given.

The original mantel would be recognizable to a lot of us here in Greater Indianapolis. The fireplace was located on a large, plain wall with a non-descript white tile and trim wrapping. The homeowner wanted to create a feature wall instead, keeping the clean look while allowing the fireplace to pop. She was not looking for cabinetry, so we created a large, flat stained wood design.

We all worked together as a team to figure out the sizing of the wall to ensure it made a big impact. My client knew she wanted a dark tone to add warmth to the cool whites in the paint and fabrics. I went with poplar for the wood species because it has limited grain, and stained it ebony. We wanted to keep the look of wood on the wall, so we chose a stain that allowed the subtle grain to show through. Otherwise, we would have just painted it black. I then nailed the wood to the wall studs and added edging pieces to hide any imperfections in the wall. I have yet to find a perfectly straight wall, so this edging is important to ensure the wood appeared flush. This bit of engineering (problem-solving with the existing materials) is what I enjoy most about my work.

My client had a tile company install the fireplace surround. Then it was time to build the mantel. Elaine came up with the idea of the offset design (another example of why I enjoy working with designers). The look created more engineering challenges since it did not call for supporting corbels. I had to design the mantel to be a three-sided box so I could bolt it to the wall at the studs, then insert a fourth side to complete the piece. As I always do, all of the building and staining was completed at my workshop to reduce dust and odors in my client’s home.

I also completed a staircase remodel for our client, which you can read about here.

If you are considering a fireplace mantel remodel, I’d be happy to help. Send me an email or give me a call at (317) 679-5890.

20 Sep 2019

Marvelous Woodworking Staircases Permalink

New Flooring? Be Sure to Plan for Staircase Remodeling Too

Marvelous Woodworking September 20, 2019

Updating the flooring in your home is a large project that can be expensive and a hassle. It’s no wonder I receive many calls after the installation. The homeowner’s mind was not on how the new flooring would impact one of the largest architectural features of his/her home – the staircase. New flooring usually means the staircase design elements no longer complement the wood tones of the home. I find that most flooring companies do not discuss this issue, since the complexities of staircase remodeling are not their expertise. Unfortunately, homeowners are often surprised when a flooring installation leads to a staircase remodel. However, it is a good opportunity to complete the updated look of your home.

Staircase Remodeling Design Elements

Wood Stain – In most Central Indiana homes, wood dominates the design. Stair treads and risers, balusters, handrails and newel posts may no longer work with the new flooring. Fortunately, we can match the wood and the stain to ensure the two elements work together. Different types of wood take stain differently, so we try to bring in a similar species when we are remodeling a staircase. Or, we work with what is available to ensure the stain and grains complement the flooring.

Stair Treads – If your staircase has been carpeted, you never know what you will find underneath. Builders often leave subflooring under carpeted stairs, or the original wood could be in bad shape. It is often easier to replace stair risers and treads than try to salvage them, unless you are in an older home with original architectural elements you want to keep. At Marvelous Woodworking, we do all of the manufacturing and finishing in our shop to reduce dust and odors in your home.

Newel Post – After the risers and treads, the newel post can be one the most impactful parts of a staircase design. If you want to replace your post, you will most like have to replace the handrail as well since angles differ between designs. Again, we can stain both elements to match your new flooring or they can be painted.

Balusters – These support mechanisms can have a large impact on the style of a staircase. If you are looking to update them, you will most likely have to replace the handrail and newel post to accommodate the new look.

For staircase remodeling projects, I suggest to my clients that they take cues from the rest of their home when making design decisions. For example, if most architectural elements are painted, you may want to add more stained elements to your staircase, or vice versa. This approach allows the staircase to accent the rest of the home. On the other hand, if you are looking to have the staircase blend in, you can mimic the dominance of paint or stain in the rest of the space.

New flooring has a tremendous impact on the look of your home, including how other architectural elements stand out. Adding staircase remodeling to your budget will keep you from being surprised after your flooring is updated. I have come in either before or after the installation, I just need to be sure to know the exact wood species and stain before I begin. If you are interested in starting a staircase remodeling project in your home, send me an email or give me a call at (317) 679-5890.

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