Front Door Windows

 This was a fantastic little project. My wonderful neighbors approached me with an opportunity I simply could not refuse. They wanted 3 CRESTVIEW Door kit windows to be installed in their once plain old front door--actually it turned out to be a cool old Stanley metal / foam door. Nothing the old Jigsaw couldn't handle.

It was a challenge to get the cut just right. Lets just say layout went on, and on and on until EVERYTHING was aligned in harmony. The cutting went just fine--slow and steady with the patented Denny (Overkill)  Millner "Fan Cuts" used to great effect. This prevents the jig saw blade from binding and bending in the material when approaching your corners. 

I was very impressed with the product and the install went in very smooth. Good design, solid instructions written clearly and made in the USA (out of Austin, Texas). My only complaint was not enough dowell material was provided. But we overcame.

The home owners did a fabulous job painting and now the door not only glows on the outside, but the light coming inside really transforms the entry and adds so much warmth to the house.

6 and 2 Gate in North Portland

Outside view

This project found me while working on another client's house. I was finishing up a replacement Cedar fence when a neighbor hailed me over to take a look at his gate. It was a crumbling, untreated pile of wood that had long been pulled apart after the posts misaligned.

Bonfire fodder

I informed him that I would be unable to duplicate that design, because it was terrible. The poor thing was given no real chance from day one. It shall make an excellent beach fire somewhere and hopefully toast a marshmallow or two before turning to embers.

Inside view

 Think of how often we use gates to get in and out of our yards every day. Many use one to get into the front door or bypass the front door to the side and into the kitchen. Yet most are built very cheap and the hardware gets beat up and fails to close properly. This realisation helped inspire me to start making my own gate "latch" hardware. Instead of a cheap catch system, I use a solid metal plate and strong rare-earth magnets.

Steel plate & magnetic catch

The challenge was coaxing the existing post back into plumb and adapting the hardware to the old side run of fence that was still standing (for now). A turnbuckle system worked perfectly to get the post top back towards the house. It can also be tweaked in either direction if need be.

Turnbuckle system doing the job admirably

It does look rather strange with the old & new side by side. But there is a functional gate there now that should be trouble free for a long time.

Really guys? Chalk still on the post?

Double Gate

Fence and Gate season is HERE! This project was a blast. What was once an obscure side yard is now converted to a secure dog run.

Dog door trimmed out

I combined the simplicity of the half-lap joint + some tough outdoor wood glue and added a triple hardwood dowel on each joint to ensure a long, happy life for the gate.

Aligned

The thick gauge galvanized 4"x4" grid was procured from an Agricultural supplier. The layout went off without a hitch and the gates practically put themselves together. . . .

Half-lap pre sanding

Lots of sanding. Lots of careful staining. Cedar is a tricky material and likes to fracture and splinter--but really performs well in outdoor conditions with a little chemical help to make it shine!

Simple and secure

N. Cleveland Porch Redux

This porch was in need of some beautification. It was rotting away and was built without care and foresight.

The client was an absolute delight to work for and we shared many laughs throughout the project. No more gaps in the risers for cats to sneak into and cause trouble. No more ugly roofing material as non-stick pad. No more jiggly railing because of rusted wood screws & loose concrete anchors. New paint with tread color mixed with sand for complete non-slip safety.

I almost wish something would go wrong with it so I can hang out with Dorothy some more. She's hilarious and fun.

Mt. Tabor Cat Enclosure

Nice big door on the North side

Made for Cats. . .but you could probably house lions in there

Built in a modular theme. Able to be dis-assembled in a few hours if need be

Lots of lines and angles

Old treads and railing in need of repair

Composite Treads. New Risers held off the treads to allow for drainage. Replacement posts and caps

 New railing paint job & replaced spindle.

Years of schmutz

Before the cleaning and paint

After clearing out the decades of debris underneath the stairs, a frightening discovery was made in regards to the support system. Logs that were eaten away by termites were supporting the apex of the wrap around porch. One 2x6 was spanning across picking up the entire weight of the porch. That was also eaten away.

Termite eaten log under rotten support = bad

After calling for reinforcements and shoring up the porch with actual structural material, all was well again.

Proper support

New stringers to replace the rotten old ones. Felt paper to help prevent water intrusion

Composite shim beneath stringers prevent water from drawing up the stringers

built with care. Built to last.

Pre-built stain grade Oak Mantel. Stained, adapted and installed w/ custom tile work

Mt. Tabor Mantel

Hex Tile. Laying this stuff will make your eyes go bonkers. Worth it though. Looks so cool.

Wainscoting and trim around old vanity

Wood floor. Unfinished Fir.

My apprentice Cedar, showing off the floor's wear and tear

Finishing touches

Lovely place to be

Crown self-return before stairway in apartment building

Tricky old corners and angles

long, elegant look with the crown, carpet runner and floor refinished

SE Portland Crown Moulding

NE Portland Fence near Mt. Tabor

Exposed boards. Rotten posts

Pre stained, new post foundations top cap for stability and to protect Cedar end grain

Should stand strong and straight for many years

It had stood long enough and was beginning to fall down on 3 adjacent properties. Due to the limited access, the design and build had to be done out-of sequence and built from one side only.

North Portland Bathroom Remodel

 Mixed materials and colors made a functional but awkward space

Shower in dire need of a complete rebuild

And build we did

Hickory farmhouse floor, pedestal sink and wainscoting

wide plank hickory floor

Light and elegant tile / accent arrangements

Clean, simple subway tile. Hounds tooth pattern tile ceiling.

Simple divider to give privacy and break up the space

Integrated shampoo nook

The shower was in dire need of a rebuild from the framing up

A complete make over. This project presented plenty of challenges and surprises.