Base cabinet tops, DIY wood counter tops

Its amazing that you can take boards of wood and create a pretty solid surface...I did it in the laundry room 2 years ago (you can see that here) and I always thought it would make a great surface for built-ins...like the guy at Home Depot said to me , "it's not the most affordable way to make a cabinet top but it will look good".

 I did't want to look back at my dining room built-in and feel like I cheaped out at all, I don't think the dining room is the place to cheap out. I am tackling this project a little at a time as funds allow. I plan to complete the lower cabinets and then take a break in between then I will complete the ceiling portion after that  I will move on the bookcase upper portion. I am not rushing this, there is no rush.

 I took the 2"x 3" knotty pine boards and glued them and screwed them together with pocket holes.

I let the boards and glue set for a few hours with pipe clamps.

 After sanding the ends flush with the belt sander I sanded the tops flush also , although the boards are the same dimension they need a good sanding to get the surface even, after that I used my orbital sander to get a nice smooth surface. Then I routered the edges. I have only routered once before...its not as perfect as I would like it to be but it's pretty good and I am a novice at this for sure but I'm confident it will look great when it is all completed.

 I am ready to prime and paint these bases and get onto making the doors...I should order my hardware now...

 Using the router is a little messy...

I applied one coat of Kona colored Varathane oil stain, I will give it a light sand and wax the tops tomorrow.

So there is a little update for today, I will be taking a couple of days off , feel free to follow along on Instagram for more frequent updates and photos... link on the left margin up near the top of the page.

Face framing

I have jumped back into the dining room project after a little break...it was difficult to get a lot done between dropping kids off and letting dogs out and picking kids back up .... challeging. I got the face frames all attached and added a couple of shelves as well as the baseboards things are looking up.

Today I will start making this 2x3 pine into a counter or top for the bases. I am still hopeful to have marble for the middle section ....

Around the house

I found a grey linen duvet and sham set at Homesense on clearance, it took me nearly three years to find something I really liked...I see its time to give it a wash and iron but I am not looking forward to that task...

 Currently my dining room project is on hold, I needed some time to recover from the flooring install but I am hoping to get back at it early next week...

 After dealing with insane amounts of dust during the flooring install I decided it was time to get some dust collection, I found this beginner unit second hand. I am hoping it will really help reduce the mess...I have yet to decide how I am going to set it up, it is moveable so it can be used inside on occassion also...kinda excited to give it a spin.

 I was killing time the other day at Winners and found this fun marquee sign...aren't they all the rage? It was even in my shade of  deep blue so I didn't hesitate to bring it home.

 I moved the black media cabinet out of the living room, I am trying out this lovely dresser instead I love this piece as I've said before...I plan to mount the tv on the wall ...the sign is a fun touch it is battery operated.

I moved this cabinet from the living room up to our bedroom where it fits in beautifully with our black bed.

This cabinet has had many transformations, it was a hand me down piece from my in-laws, I think it is maple, it had other shelves and a lot of curves and a shelf with a little fence type detail, over the years I have transformed it into what it looks like today which to me is kind of a Pottery Barn style media cabinet which is more current and clean lined, I suppose I up-cycled it.

I searched for an early photo of it and this is all I could find an old photo of our old house...circa 2007 wow I sure over did it with the accessories back then...

So that's what has been going on around the house...oh and more importantly please pay attention to your breast health, if you have them...I know it is the last day of October but it is still officially Breast Cancer Awareness Month....I had my first mammogram last week and its not scary and painful like you may think it is....check your self and get into the Dr asap to have anything suspicous checked out....OK that is my little PSA.

Lot's of love, 

Chris