Beau Monde Woodworks

Mini-butcher blocks/end grain chopping boards. These scraps of pine were destined for the burn pile, but were granted a last-minute pardon. I normally wouldn’t make chopping boards from softwood, but for end grain boards they’re actually really good. AND they’re gentler on your knives!

A simple table and chair that I made for our daughter, Emma, who is six years old. Made this a little bit big for her so that she can grow into it. I’m sure she’ll grow right out of it in no time flat. Still need to make a second chair so that she can have a friend sit and play with her. Hopefully will find the time before she’s too big! All is made from Ash apart from the table top, which is recycled Oak.

Upcycled these two sets of drawers to make a nice solid desk. Drawer runners are nice, Austrian-made, soft close runners. Outer carcass and top made from solid ply. Very strong and sturdy. And currently available to purchase. Dimensions 1810mm wide, 600mm deep, 760mm tall.

Nothin’ fancy, just a strong, solid, sturdy, shoe-storing bench! Nice place to take a rest 😅

Another whisky cabinet in Oak with Afrormosia pulls and drawer front. Slightly different dovetail layout on this one.

Chopping/serving boards. White Oak and Afrormosia.

Finally got there! It’s taken a while to get this one from concept to completion, and there have been a few road bumps along the way! Happy to have it done. May it be the first of many!

Sometimes “pine is fine”. And often the least glamorous projects end up being the most utilitarian in nature. Made this small laundry cupboard to fill a very odd space beside our wall-hung dryer. It does the trick.

One of a few things that I have never experienced in the wonderful world of woodworking is wood turning. Had a lot of fun dipping my toe in the water of this craft last Saturday. My friend Rory and I attended a turning workshop where we made pens from 1800-year-old Kauri that had been buried under volcanic ash from the 232 A.D. Taupo eruption (this was huge). This was a super fun and informative day and we both had an awesome time! My pen could have been a bit slimmer, but not bad for a first try I reckon.

Was just about to get the doors on this whisky cabinet before my recent health episode. Looking forward to getting back into this project as a post-op way to ease back into things. One thing at a time though I guess…

A testicle down but I’m still around! WHAT. A. WEEK. Had an ultrasound on Monday for a suspected hernia. It was blindingly obvious right away that this was something far worse. Luckily it seems to have been caught early, and further scans indicate that it had not spread. Despite the loss down under, I’m considering myself extremely lucky. I strongly advise anyone out there who suspects that there is anything not quite right with their bodies to get checked out. If you’re still in doubt or concerned, GET A SECOND OPINION. Better safe than sorry. My first doctor (three months ago) totally missed this. He didn’t investigate or recommend further testing for anything at all. No follow up either. It was only through a fortuitous visit with a new doctor last week that I was able to get this checked. After that, things happened pretty quickly, for which I am also thankful.

Out of all the tools in the workshop, by far the most indispensable is that one pictured at bottom right!

Really excited to receive this as a birthday gift from my wonderful in-laws! These stock scrapers are made by our good friend and very talented woodworking instructor at Kanuka Rise Studio in Nelson. These will soon be available as part of a bespoke set of hand tools offered by John. Can’t wait to put this one to use! It will definitely be one that lives forevermore in the stable of heritage hand tools in my workshop!

Took a little while to get this one across the finish line, but at last it is ready for bbq season! Made this from macrocarpa. Joinery is mostly done with Dominoes.

Nice “clean” Macrocarpa ready for the build. Have “Dominoed” a few bits, so ready for the first glue-up.

Machining wood may not be the most exciting task in the world, but one of my favourite things is to watch the grain become “cleaner” as more and more is exposed with each pass over the jointer. Just seems kind of magic.

Dreaming of the day when I can extend this workshop…(and put in more power outlets)

This sharpening session is brought to you by Band-Aid Tough Strips…ok not really but it should be. Every session should be for clumsy folk like me. 👍😜