Clarksburg Woodworks, LLC

This fun project involved enhancing the bedrooms of two brothers by adding a wall full of new storage and display space. Base cabinets on both sides of the wall space provide out-of-sight storage (one side angled to avoid interfering with closet access). Adjustable shelves above the cabinets create new spaces, as do the room-spanning shelves. Lots of room for growing collections and keepsakes.

Here's a quick little mantel refresh project for these hot summer days. The design was influenced by cabinetry in adjacent room and a desire for the clean lines of modern styles.

Just installed this custom entryway piece for a local Clarksburg family. The piece is placed just inside the front door - a great place to catch errant shoes, coats, backpacks, and everything else that collects by the door. The client supplied photos of similar pieces she found online and we blended the best features with her own requests. The result is lots of new space with ready access to all passing by. The seat is white oak () with a dark stain and multiple polyurethane topcoats.

Discovered this montage of automobile ads from Harper's Weekly. The ads highlight cars between 1909 and 1926. Only three (Chevrolet, Ford, and Cadillac) remain of the 18 featured manufacturers. Check out these selling points: left hand drive, 20 horse power, and quick change spare tire! Fun read!

Coming out of the shop this week....Chess Boards! I started these last summer, but they got bumped out of the queue when other work took priority. Now they debut polished and ready for use.

Just finished transforming this Butler's Pantry void into fully functional space. Three drawers, a small fridge, pullout storage, and a twenty-slot rack for wine bottles are all available under the counter. Overhead storage is accessible in four double-door wall cabinets. The upper cabinet doors have ripple glass inserts.

"I need more storage space!" is what I hear most from clients and what drove this most recent project. It began with a focus on the use and repurposing of existing space. Once space was identified, we planned for new cabinets, a multipurpose island, bench, and a stylish hanging space. The result is plenty of out-of-sight cabinet storage, under-bench space, three triple hooks for coats and backpacks, and even six custom drawers for shoes. The brushed gold hardware elevates the results and ties nicely with the beautiful Calacatta Abezzo quartz from Washington Marble & Granite.

I don't know why the builders decided to route the 4" PVC piping through the living space, but here's how I hid it. A lower cabinet with lockable doors provides easy access to the pipe if needed. An upper shelf unit adds new space and function in the room. And hidden cable pass throughs on each shelf ensure the electrical outlet, now within the base, is still useful.

Just wrapped up this fireplace re-do. A traditional colonial-style mantel was replaced with this stone surround and custom oak mantel with matching wine-barrel ring clock.

I don't often get requests for arches, but here's a three-arch build I just finished in the Cabin Branch neighborhood. The three arches are supported by two vertical cabinets, each with four storage areas behind glass. Three upper storage areas span the 18' wall and are behind sliding framed glass panels. Rough hewn barn wood accents the back wall in the center arch. Lots of new storage space for this townhouse owner.

Just completed another round of wine barrel ring clocks. They are a bit heavy to ship, but draw a lot of attention when I sell at local festivals and craft shows.. Wine and Whiskey barrel rings are readily available from wineries and distillers.

Just wrapped up this full-wall builtin. Cabinets were special ordered to provide the shallow depth dictated by window frame on right. Beautiful wood grained Formica countertop has a warm feel and adds a dramatic contrast to the linen white cabinetry and shelves. Twenty adjustable shelves allow the client to customize the look. The client is excited for all the new storage in her home office.

This custom dressing table was a true collaboration with a local repeat client. Lots of storage, a lotus flower theme, an espresso finish, and purpleheart accents were all a 'must'. The results provide all of this and more!
All nine drawers have configurable purpleheart dividers. Pull-out vertical side panels hold necklaces. Client says 'it's perfect! Lotus flower inlays on top and sides from HommerWoods on Etsy. Birch and purpleheart hardwoods from Frederick Lumber.

Built-in Season! This cabinet and shelf wall is the second of three current built-in projects. Four double door Timberlake cabinets form the base and are capped with a 158" Formica countertop featuring a weathered wood look. Cabinets and countertop sourced at 84 Lumber in Mt Airy. The cabinets and shelving are painted to match existing household trim. 17 adjustable shelves and 1 fixed shelf offer lots of new storage space. A central desk area is a nice addition to the design.

Pumpkin spice clipboards! Well, not really. It is just the orange translucent resin that make these so seasonal. The clean lines of the black ash graining present a beautiful contrast to the center resin.

Collectors will understand, you need storage and organization. This solid walnut nine drawer cabinet will provide a local gem collector with both. Each of the drawers has forty-two 2"x2" black velvet accented compartments. That's 378 separate spaces! I love how the walnut graining flows from one side to the ther across the top. A truly handsome cabinet! Walnut sourced

Design, build, and install are rewarding parts of projects, but seeing the final product in use is even better. Here are a few before and after shots including exciting 'in use' views.

Just wrapped up a shelf and mantel project. This is part of a living room redo managed by . The client created the shelf and mantel design and I translated it into a build plan. Sixteen foot mantel built as three interlocking torsion boxes to provide added strength to span the width of the tiled fireplace.

Another space transformation from Clarksburg Woodworks. LOVE how this empty nook transformed into a functional space with lots of character! It started with reduced-depth navy blue cabinets, an undercounter fridge, custom formica countertop, floating shelves, vertical shiplap, and fabulous downlighting. Great to have more out-of-site storage and shelf space for just right decor. Thanks to and (Mt Airy).

My family history is deeply rooted in southeastern Pennsylvania so tracing ancestry back to the early 1700s is an easy task. Family routines like making applebutter each October in huge copper kettles goes back 150 years or more! I have one of those 35 gallon copper kettles and only recently made a cherry end table to hold it. Love the family history this represents and nice to have the kettle displyed rather that stuffed in the attic or basement. Here are a few photos of the new table.

Just finished this home office storage wall for a Clarksburg neighbor. Always fun to bring a client's ideas to life. This project uses modified Ardito cabinets under a custom countertop and handmade upper cabinets. New storage was the goal and the 36 new shelves (24 enclosed) really deliver! Check out the 'before' photo to appreciate the dramatic change.

Wrapping up assembly work on this display piece in the Design Center at 84 Lumber in Mt. Airy, Maryland. Designed by Betsy Franklin, Cabinetry Wiz at the store, the piece unites more than a dozen storage components in this eye-catching entryway furniture. I source many of my cabinetry needs via this store because Betsy is SO GOOD at knowing the products from many manufacturers, gets the best price, and enforces quality stds upon delivery.

Got a corner that is a catch-all spot? Here's a recent project that took a cluttered corner (pic 1), mixed with a little inspiration (pic 2), and resulted in a purpose-built space for shoes, jackets, backpacks, and more! Even had space for a cork panel (from ) to feature family photos and art. Wide-board shiplap ties it all together.

Time to get caught up on a couple of busy months in the woodshop. Here's a 'before shot' and a final set of photos of the mudroom storage project. Five full size closets with an upper adjustable shelf, a lower seat/shelf, and four sets of triple hooks. And five upper cabinets each with an adjustable shelf. It all resuls in 65 cubic feet of new out-of-sight storage. For the record: 40 soft close hinges, 20 sets of Hooks, 10 handles, and 10 4x8 sheets of plywood.

Spotting a trend here. Wide kitchen drawers are coming apart! In each of three recent cases in the neighborhood the drawer front separated from the drawer box requiring the whole drawer to be rebuilt. Be kind to your cabinetry folks....or save the parts so I can make careful measurements.

Installing this five section builtin is a good project for this rainy Friday. Five upper cabinets and five locker-like sections will get flat panel doors next week. More storage space is just what this family needs with baby #4 just weeks away.

Recently had the honor of designing and building memorial pieces for a dear friend's father. Each of the eight matching pieces is solid walnut and features a navy medallion, an engraved brass plate, and a rifle shell from the honor volley.
Wood sourced from

A custom knife case will be the new home for a chef's set of four fancy knives (much fancier than my knives in the photos). Sapele side panels and an ash frame form the box. Spalted tamarind is the inner divider. Leather covered blocks with embedded magnets hold each knife in place. Wood sourced from

This lockable men's valet box in walnut has great grain flow on all four sides. The glass insert offers a view of two watch slots with pillows, one ring/cufflink pad, and three open sections all with burgundy accents. Personalized with an engraved brass plaque. Makes a great birthday, graduation, bar mitzvah, or groomsman gift.

Quilted maple is a rare and beautiful variation of maple hardwood. You can see the unique grain pattern and reflectivity in these clipboards. Charcoal tinted epoxy provides a dramatic color contrast stripe.