At this point in the game, after the vacations, etc we have lost a little momentum. Never fear though, Sandra has big plans for us that get us motivated again. Now that the countertop is in and looking fabulous, we start in on building the upper bookcases. These bad boys are large and in charge. Continue Reading
September 6, 2017
Built-in Wardrobes and Platform Storage Bed – Kristy’s Reveal
Kristy's bedroom is complete! If you've been following along on Kristy's adventure you know she's had some bumps and bruises along the way. But the end result is a beautiful bedroom with built-in wardrobes and a platform bed with OODLES of storage! When Kristy and I started working together on Continue Reading
August 23, 2017
Cara’s Office Built ins – 5
Cara is cruising along with her office built ins! She always cracks me up with the way she describes her DIY adventures. Need to catch up on her project? Here are part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4. I like to think of this day as the day that damn bubble almost got the best of me!! Now Continue Reading
September 11, 2015
Attaching Faceframe to Adjustable Shelves
I have been SO busy this week and gotten a ton done! I got all my shelves cut, painted and installed. There are a couple fixed shelves in this large cabinet but the rest are adjustable. The fixed shelves are covered by the faceframe so I like to add a faceframe to adjustable shelves too. How Continue Reading
January 1, 2015
How to plan and design a walk in closet
The process to plan, design and build a walk in closet is completely different than it is for a piece of stand alone wardrobe. Basically, you're building a configuration of square boxes and making it fit into an imperfect space that is almost definitely out of square, out of plum and not level. Continue Reading
November 21, 2014
Built-in bookcase progress…
Hi guys! Remember on Monday when Madison and I modeled our Duluth duds and I told you about the built-in bookcase we were going to build and I thought we'd have it done by today? Well we didn't get it finished but we did make some good progress and got the base built, including the doors which is Continue Reading
April 23, 2014
Beautiful Storage Solution
These built-ins would fit perfectly in a wide hallway and would be a beautiful storage solution to an the too common "lack of storage" dilemma. Function and beauty -- the perfect unity. via: Kvanum Continue Reading
January 27, 2014
Built-in Window Seat – Bench Plans
In Robin's room, this bench is built-in between two bookcases but you could build this plan as a stand along storage bench. Robin's bench sat over an air vent so they had to direct the air flow out through the toe kick. You can read Robin's Sawdust Diaries here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4 Continue Reading
January 9, 2014
Printer Storage Cabinet – Cara Collection
This is the third installment of the Cara Collection built-in office furniture. I've already posted plans for the Base Cabinets and the Upper Bookshelf. This post includes for the Printer Storage Cabinets. You could add adjustable shelves or drawers to use this triple wide cabinet for other Continue Reading
January 8, 2014
Amazing diy entertainment center and fireplace
Check out this amazing diy entertainment center and fireplace that Kellyn built. She did all the planning herself too! Yep, she didn't even consult me, just off and did it all by herself! LOL Awesome Job Kellyn! I am SUPER proud of you!!! ~Sandra Hey Sawdust Girl readers... My Continue Reading
January 6, 2014
Upper Bookshelf – Cara Collection
This post includes free plans for the built-in bookshelf that sits on top of the base cabinets in the Cara Collection. You can build this set as a single or double wide bookcase. Actually, you could to wall to wall with this one bookcase plan if you wanted to. Built-in Continue Reading
January 6, 2014
Bookshelf Base Cabinet- Cara Collection
This is the first installment of the Cara Collection. This post include free plans for the base cabinets for this bookshelf. You can configure the function of each side separately. You could have both sides be doors with adjustable shelves or both sides have drawers or one side of each like Cara Continue Reading
September 18, 2013
Oak Plywood Countertops – Cara’s Office – 6
Today I am working on getting the layer of MDF that goes under the oak plywood countertops. I don’t know if the pictures show the work space accurately or not, but I am actually very intimidated by this part of the project. Our countertop is 23 feet long!! This will be seen by everyone and needs Continue Reading
July 11, 2013
Dining room built-in buffet reveal
Val finished her dining room buffet and it's beautiful! She's been working very hard on this built-in project for months. I am very proud of her for sticking with it and striving for excellence. Continue Reading
July 9, 2013
Kelly’s living room office – Part 3
Hi, this is Kelly! You can see my living room office plan here, and the beginnings of the cabinets here. Today’s post will document how my happy “this is fun” attitude came to a screeching halt. This post could also be titled: Frustration Sets In: My Arch-Nemesis, the Circular Saw On the left Continue Reading
June 27, 2013
Cara’s Office – 3
Today, after consulting with Sandra, I decided I should move forward with painting the walls. As Sandra pointed out, this will avoid heartache later when I am trying to paint, after the cabinets are installed, and spilling paint on my new cabinets. :-) To get started, I have to pull down Continue Reading
June 26, 2013
Cara’s Office – 2
April 27th, 2013 Today got off to a great start. We covered the floor and prepared to start priming all of the cabinets. The priming went smoothly, but it was a bit tiring on the ol’arm. I have to admit, after being so scared of using the big tools; I kind of missed it today. The painting Continue Reading
June 25, 2013
Cara’s Office – Part 1
Cara and family just moved into their new home about a month ago and they were ready to jump in feet first to get this space ready to use as an office and TV room. You walk through those French doors to the pool so the middle of the room is left open so there is a nice walkway but the sofa will sit Continue Reading
June 20, 2013
Kristy 4- Bedroom Built-ins
YaHooooo, time for another Sawdust Diary update! Kristy has had some major setbacks in her bedroom project. No problems WITH the built-ins, just setbacks in general. In addition to her broken finger she needed to do some major renovations in other areas of the house so the bedroom took a Continue Reading
May 24, 2013
Conquering fears and gaining confidence
Kristy continues to make progress on her bedroom built-ins. Kristy's stories make me laugh and smile every time I talk to her. She is THE happiest, bubbliest, most resilient person I have ever met (virtually or otherwise). When we started her bedroom built-ins in January, she had Continue Reading
April 25, 2013
Val’s Dining Room Buffet – Part 4
Val has been hard at work in the appropriate Sawdust Girl attire. PJ's! LOL Catch up if you missed part 1, part 2, and part 3. And she is making good progress. Bases are done. Countertop is done. When it came time to build the book cases we had a design Continue Reading
April 24, 2013
Built-in Office Plans for Cara
I'm not the only one wanting to get organized and make use of every inch of wasted space. New Sawdust Diary client, Cara is taking charge of this room in her house. Cara and family just moved into their new home about a month ago and they were ready to jump in feet first to get Continue Reading
November 13, 2012
“Styling” Bookshelves
It takes more than built in Bookshelves, custom raised panel wainscoting and a plank ceiling to create a beautiful library. Creating a library takes books and creating a beautiful library is all in how you style your bookshelves. "Styling" is just a fancy word for "putting stuff on the Continue Reading
October 2, 2012
Tip for gluing up mitered joints and library progress
Last time I showed you my library bookshelf progress, I got a lot of questions about what I was planning for those big gaps on the side of the bookshelves. I filled it in with a 2x4 wall (of sorts). And then covered that with a two sided column. How did I make a two Continue Reading
September 18, 2012
Arch enemies
Arches aren't really my enemies. They used to be but I think I've finally gotten the better of them and now I'll take on a more charitable attitude towards them. Oh those cute little darlings. I'm SUPER DUPER excited about how my bookshelves are coming along! I know some of Continue Reading
September 11, 2012
Library Built-ins and Built-in Building Tips
I'm feeling SUPER excited about the library because it's coming together fast. Last week it was an empty room with a rough doorway and no lights. Today, it's a room with a rough opening, no lights and some half finished bookcases. It's going fast partly because I'm only doing Built-ins on Continue Reading
February 11, 2011
Living Room with Built-in Entertainment Center
Showcasing the Built-in Entertainment Center in my Illinois living room. I built this entertainment center and painted it white with Sherwin Williams ProClassic paint. Happy Friday! I'm excited to share this room with you today. This is the final room on the main level. "BEFORE" (except I Continue Reading
February 10, 2011
Home Office with Built-in Work Stations
This is our Illinois home office. Using open shelving and cabinets with doors is a fun way to break up a long wall of built-ins. The doored cabinets hide all the non pretty office supplies. His and Hers work stations with a T-shaped countertop so there's plenty of space to spread out. Or, you Continue Reading