Builder
Almost more than my day job, I like to dream, sketch, build and make things. Whether it's to my own house or helping a friend, I like using my mind and hands. I have to say that several projects with my father-in-law around 2001 and 2002 sparked my renewed interest in things once lost.
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All Things Morgan
This collection of images were things that my father and I built or restored together. Simple things. The flexible flyer sled still hangs on my wall today and I still pull it out in the winter to ride on with the kids. I still keep the "Morguitar" and the bridge we built for Physics class on my wall in my home office to remind me that pride and craftsmanship still outweight haste. The things I learned in the Morgan Workshop are priceless and I hope to instill the same memories in my children.
10.17.05: The Wine Cellar in Process
Here are the pictures thus far. I went back into this room and tore out all the insulation... even the electric that I had put in because I wanted to make the room to the spec of a real, climate-controled wine cellar. There's still a bit to do.
Click here for the pictures.
8.5.05: The "Guest Kitchen"
It's the basement cabinet area outside the wine cellar, but it may as well be called the Guest Kitchen, because the guest bath and bedroom are in the basement on the other side of the living area. This was my first attempt at cabinets... solo.
Click here for the pictures!!
4.13.05: The Basement Floor Tile
It was around 600 sq. feet. Deciding to make a border
around the already odd shape of the tiled area made it tough. To add to that,
I decided to lay all the tile within the border at an angle AND creating
a "pinwheel" pattern using 6x6 and 12x12 tiles. Thanks to Brian for all
his labor!!
Click here for the pictures!!
2.7.05: The structures of a house
I was lucky enough to participate in the beginnings of something great. Check
out these pics to see the early makings of a house. My friend Scott is building
a really cool place in the woods.
Click here for the pictures!!
12.4.04: The Master Bath Project
It all started innocently... I was ripping out the old, moldy caulk job from
the shower stall when I realized that's what was holding it in. So I took
off the stall... then I slipped and ripped the plastic liners off the wall.
I said, whoops, I guess I'll just have to tile the shower stall. Then, I
thought, well...
Click here for the pictures!!
12.1.04: The Home Office
After a pretty sophisticated faux-job, I added the blue track lights
that will ultimately point to "featured" items on the walls. These
items will be a range of antiques both inherited and collected. Doors and
baseboards still to come.
Click here for the pictures!!
7.4.04: How to Make a Basement Bathroom #1
Step 1: The Groundwork... Since every bathroom needs sewage and plumbing,
and we had a basement with a solid concrete floor, it was necessary to grab
the jackhammer and spud bars. "Lemme at it Cletus!"
Click here for the pictures!!
7.20.04: How to Make a Basement Bathroom #2
Step 2: Walls and Prep... put back in the walls, plumb, drywall, and use LOTS
of cement board. Because no bathroom is really a bathroom without a lot of
tile!
Click here for the pictures!!
8.10.04: How to Make a Basement Bathroom #3
Step 3: Tile and Visuals... When I started out, I had Home-a-Rama, Better
Homes and Gardens and HGTV in mind. I decided that the most intricate of all
tile jobs I've done should be my own :)
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9.1.04: How to Make a Basement Bathroom #4
Step 4: Finishing... dropping in the vanity, toilet and doors, door-casings,
grout the tile, Paint! All the details come together here.
Click here for the pictures!!
Curing Cancer of The Dakota Fender
The first thing I had to do was admit I had a problem and then decide to do something about it. I was lost, confused and hurt. My poor fender was dissintegrating into nothingness and I knew I wasn't gonna make it through the winter. Click here for the scary pictures.
Building a Gas Fireplace and Hearth
I took a moment to evaluate a boring ole' corner in the basement and thought
about how I could make it more interesting... perhaps serve a purpose. Thinking
it might be nice to ensure warmth during the winter, I felt a fireplace installed
at a neo-angle in the corner would be nice. It would be tiled the same as the
floor and I plan to build the mantle and surround myself on the shopsmith. Click Here
Building a Brick Hearth
Really nothing to it. I've laid some brick here and there so I decided
to build the hearth myself. I scored some free brick and went at it
making sure to use the wall ties every three rows or so. This will make it
so your beautiful creation doesn't come tumbling down on anyone down the
road.
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Moms Kitchen
Here's one of the earlier projects done with my father-in-law as the
foreman :) We gutted my moms kitchen and made it exactly what she wanted it
to be. Click here
