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Decorative Tray Ceiling

March 18, 2013 Written by Robert Robillard 1 Comment
Decorative Tray Ceiling

Framing A Decorative Tray Ceiling  A tray ceiling is a rectangular architectural feature that is either inverted or recessed. Tray ceilings can be plain, ornate, subtle or dramatic and almost always make a statement! When people install tray ceilings they almost always install accent or rope lighting above it.  Tray ceilings are often found in kitchens dining rooms, hallways and formal living rooms. Architectural Details And Shadow … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Crown Molding, Design / Architecture, Remodeling, Remodeling. Design, Suspended Ceiling

Modifying A Bookcase For A Flat Screen TV

February 1, 2013 Written by Robert Robillard Leave a Comment
Modifying bookcase for

Built In Bookcase Modification: It seems these days folks are designing whole rooms around flat screen TVs.  The problem arises when you have an existing room and you try to incorporate the flat screen TV.   Modifying a bookcase for a flat screen TV seems to be in demand. This was just the case for a client of mine.  They had a large built in place bookcase that they liked and wanted to modify to also hold a large flat screen TV. The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bookcase Projects, Crown Molding, Custom Cabinets, DIY Home Improvement Show

Habitat For Humanity ReStore

December 15, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard Leave a Comment
Habitat For Humanity ReStore

Keeping Building Materials Out Of The Land Fill When you’re a carpenter you get all sorts of questions and requests for favors: How do I fix this? Can I borrow one of your tools? Is your pick-up truck free on Saturday? One recent request really got my attention. A good friend asked if I would help her remove some of the newer windows and doors from her house, already slated for demolition. She and her husband wanted to donate the items to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bath, Bathrooms, Bookcase Projects, Built-ins And Bookcases, Columns, Custom Cabinets, Fireplace Mantel, Fireplace Mantle, Hardwood Flooring, Kitchens, Plumbing, Remodeling, Showers, sink, Toilet, Window Issues / Tips

Hardwood Floor Border and Feature Strip

December 1, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard Leave a Comment
Hardwood floor border and feature strip

Installing a Hardwood Flooring Border and Feature Strip: Hardwoods floors offer an unrivaled sense of quality that never ceases to get stale or fade with home building or decorating trends. Hardwood flooring has many species and finishes ranging from the more traditional classics such as, oak and ash to modern or contemporary styles like maple or the unusual pattern of an exotic hardwood like Brazilian Tigerwood or African Sapele. If your … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Finish Carpentry, Flooring Tips, Hardwood Flooring

Installing Chair Rail Trim Question

March 10, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard Leave a Comment
Installing Chair Rail Trim

Chair Rail Molding Installation: Dear Concord Carpenter, I have a question on installing chair rail trim. We have a formal dining room that I would like to install chair rail trim to the walls.  I've been  looking at molding styles and decided on a two piece, painted,  chair rail.  the top will be a 3/4" x 1-2/2"  half round and the bottom a decorative flat window casing molding profile. I have two questions:   1.  How can … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Finish Carpentry, Wainscoting Trim

Installing Trim Around A Plastered Window Well

February 18, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard Leave a Comment
Basement plastered window well

Simple Window Trim Dresses Up Window Opening: Recently I was asked what I could do to dress up a basement recessed window that had no trim and was all plaster walls.  The designer on the project wanted the window to look like the windows upstairs, which had window trim and a traditional window sill. This was an easy fix I so I suggested we add a half round molding to the plaster opening bottom to simulate a window sill and then … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Finish Carpentry, Interior Repairs

Custom Fireplace Mantle

February 1, 2012 Written by Robert Robillard 3 Comments
finished mantle

Installing a Custom Fireplace Mantle: In the finish carpentry world a custom fireplace mantle is often the aesthetic showpiece of a room.  People use mantles to display family photos, treasured artworks, knickknacks and, more recently flat screen televisions. Do You Need A Stock Mantle or Custom Made? Many fireplaces built in today’s homes are of a standard size and easily accept a catalog purchased mantle.  These mantles … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Design, Finish Carpentry, Fireplace Mantel, Fireplace Mantle, Remodeling. Design

Installing A Window Seat

October 29, 2011 Written by Robert Robillard 5 Comments
installing a window seat

Custom Window Seat Installation I recently made a custom window seat for this window alcove.  [photo right] The customer originally had a bench in this spot but wanted something more permanent with storage.  We decided on a window seat with a hinged lid.  Measuring and making this window seat was done earlier and in my shop, this post is only the installation portion of the finished window seat. Preparing the space: The  first step … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Built-ins And Bookcases, Custom Cabinets, Finish Carpentry