Carpentry Life

This is one of my favorite projects thus far.  It all started when a customer called me and told me that she found an entertainment center armoire that she really liked (she emailed me pictures) but that she could not find one to fit her TV.  Because the TV wall was fairly small, we did not want to overcrowd the wall with a full built-in unit let alone engulf the small room with a massive piece of entertainment furniture.  Aside from aesthetics, I think it was a very good idea to create a freestanding piece of furniture that could easily be relocated and, if the customer moves out of this house, she gets to keep all of the value of her investment taking the unit with her wherever she goes.  The absolute best thing about this project, all my freestanding furniture projects for that matter, is that my customers will get to enjoy a small investment of my creation and my life for many decades to come, not to mention the visual excitement when my creation is unveiled for the first time.

I drafted this project using Google Sketchup, a wonderful program, very easy to use (see my post, Too Sketchup or Not to Sketchup; Google Sketchup That Is). See the final draft on my website at www.cherrywoodcustom.com.

In selecting the color for this project, we could have easily matched the colors of the existing furniture in the room, but instead chose to select a contrasting color.  In woodworking, time is a virtue worth being respected.  I will say this often: Attention to detail, precision and a well designed plan, no matter how many revisions are made, are the primary keys to ensuring a superior end result.  Some people are good at just winging it, but I can be almost certain that route is time-consuming, mistake ridden, expensive and accidental if the finished with exacting result, which is very rare (watch for my report “Spontaneous Construction” coming soon).

Another very important factor in 3-dimensional creations is that although deadlines are important, attempting to rush to meet deadlines at crunch time can often be highly detrimental to achieving masterpiece status.  One of my many mottoes to my customers is, “I will strive to complete your project in a timely fashion, but I will not jeopardize the quality of my work while making haste to meet any deadlines.” There is a condition of completion which states contingencies; in my humble opinion, this is the most important one.

The initial design for this project included simple bi-fold doors which, when open, would be parallel to the front of the unit.  In other words, this entertainment armoire would have had wings and also could have posed a hazard to rambunctious children.  We wanted to ensure that the finished project would not have doors that could become an obstruction in any way, therefore, we considered pocket doors, but instead decided to create a more antique appeal by making the doors fold around the sides of the unit.

On a quick note, it gives me great pleasure and sincere appreciation to know that people in other states around the nation are seeing my work and hiring me to complete their projects for them. Thanks to Emily and Eric in Cincinnati, OH for allowing me the privilege to complete this project for you.

In constructing this unit, I went with a separate pedestal base and crown piece which could be detached for easier movement, four pieces total.

Thanks for reading about this project. Please take a moment and tell me what you think about this project. Would you have done anything different? I’d like to know.

Have a wonderful day!

Ryan