
The steps below follow the order of the work for this workshop project.
Have you had enough talk about built-ins? I hope you are ready for more, because I have an notable guest post for you that is full of built-in goodness! look at the before and after pics:

As you well know, I can’t get enough of built-in furniture–whether it’s shelves, beds, seating, or anything else! I love the efficiency of built-ins, and I really love the character and presence that they add to a home. It’s a sure-fire way to transform a house from builder basic to high-end custom. Here are a few of my go-to built-in projects from around the web.

Craft room cabinetry from Infarrantly Creative

Window seat from Centsational Girl

Master closet shelving from Sawdust Girl

Library bookcases from Thrifty Decor Chick

Closet converted to mudroom from Coordinately Yours
It’s official: striking built-ins really do make my heart go pitter-patter! I’m excited to show you the built-ins Handmade-ed by today’s guest blogger. All the examples I just showed you were white, but our guest blogger let the vivid wood tones show through, and I love the warmth it adds to her room. Take a look!
Submitted by: Ramblings from the Burbs
Hi! I’m Becky, a spray paint aficionado, pneumatic tool enthusiast, and designer/photographer wannabe. I’m delighted to share our big Handmade project with you, today.
We starting with some horrible 70’s wood paneling about 3 years ago….
snd decided one evening that it was finally time for it to go….
But we had a plan to install a fireplace…
(and Handmade every bit of it)
The framing, fireplace, and drywall went up relatively quickly…
but finishing it and the built-ins where a drawn out process over the last 3 years (thanks to numerous other projects and the birth of two kids).
We built some plywood cabinet carcasses and put stone veneer on the fireplace…
and installed maple face frames…
and because I had to make this truly difficult a beaded frame detail…
then trimmed out the mantel and cabinets with crown molding…
and built some inset doors…
and drawers…
and added hardware.and after a long sanding and finishing process we are FINALLY done!!! I thought it would never end but we’ve decided this box was officially checked on our never ending to do list. Here are some shots of the long awaited results.
Here’s some info on the products and materials that we used:
Gas Fireplace – Kozy Heat Fireplace® Theif River Falls Model
Stone Veneer – Cultured Stone® Country Ledgestone
Cabinet Boxes – 3/4″ Birch Plywood
Cabinet Face Frame/Trim – Maple Hardwood
Cabinet Door Frame – Maple Hardwood
Cabinet Door Panel – 1/4″ Maple Plywood
Wood Stain – General Finishes Water Based Wood Stain in Shaker Maple
Wood Finish – General Finishes PolyAcrylic Water Base Top Coat
Door Pulls – Cosmas Oil Rubbed Bronze Handle Pull
Drawer Pulls – Cosmas Oil Rubbed Bronze Bin Cup Drawer Handle Pull
The biggest investment was the gas fireplace. We were able to find the stone veneer on Craigslist for a steal. We also got a deal on the maple hardwood by utilizing short cutoff boards from a local woodworking fabrication and supply shop. The price of the hardwood averaged less than $1/board foot.





