My latest woodworking project (big pics)

[ZenLefty]

Okay, this will be the last woodworking project I post pictures of before Election Day. :D

Three months ago, we decided to remodel our fireplace. We live in an old bungalow, and the fireplace had been ripped out and replaced by some hideous cement contraption poured in the 60's. Here's the before pic:



Lovely, isn't it?

What I really wanted to do is restore it to something more like an old house - bookshelves on either side, quartersawn white oak surround, tile backing and a slate hearth. And I wanted to encase those windows with some woodwork. We wondered if we wanted to just restore the fireplace itself or get a gas insert, or maybe a gas stove. We decided on the stove.





I really like the tiles behind the stove. They're hand made tiles, so no two are alike in color, size, shape or thickness (and they're a pain in the ass to install!!). You really can't see it in the pics, but the glass we used is this wavy kind that looks a little like the glass you see in old houses.



All the face pieces are quartersawn, though I used some red oak on the inside. There's no plywood in this, only solid red oak or white oak. Many of the joints are mortisse and tenon, so it all fits together without a lot of nails or screws. All the hinges are antique.

So after you've voted tomorrow, feel free to stop by and warm your feet for a while. :D

[plcdude]

1. excellent work

dude

[ZenLefty]

23. Thans, plcdude

:D

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

2. Beautiful work

Just amazing. You just don't see craftsmanship like that much these days.

[ZenLefty]

24. I agree.

There aren't many of us who put that much work into something anymore. Most people throw something together out of MDF and oak veneer. It's just not the same thing.

[drb]

3. Dang! Is that like abso-freakin'-lutely...

...gorgeous or what!!

I'm in awe! Come do my house!!

[masonfl]

6. Do you live in Seattle?

It looks like a classic seattle craftsman. Beautiful.

[ZenLefty]

29. Denver.

Our whole neighborhood is made up of these old brick bungalows. They're small, but I love 'em.

[ZenLefty]

26. I have to finish my house first.

See you in 2031. :D

[L84TEA]

4. I think you may have

Quadrupled the value of your home! It is STUNNING! GOOD WORK!
Thanks for sharing!

..Ya didn't buy that wood off the Chimp did ya? ...haha

[ZenLefty]

30. It's certainly sweat equity.

Blood equity and tears equity too, believe me.

[Fenris]

5. Very Gustav Stickley

Excellent work. :thumbsup:

[ZenLefty]

31. Thanks.

I learned a lot just looking at Stickley furniture.

[Lisa]

56. if you hadn't told us, I would have believed it WAS Stickley ...

Or at least done during that era. (I used to date a guy who lived in a Craftsman west coast bungalow, and his period fireplace had some definite similarities.) Very nice work!

[The_Casual_Observer]

7. Truly a beautiful job

Did you build those cabinets too?

[ZenLefty]

32. Yup. I built everything but the stove.

I think the stove was built in Finland or something.

[proud patriot]

8. Amazing work Zen

looks so cozy , simply beautiful

[ZenLefty]

33. It's really warmed up the place.

Now we're going to turn the chairs facing away from the TV so we can sit at the fire.

No hockey on, anyway.

[Lizz612]

9. If my mother sees these....

She would gape for a few minutes, touch everything, and then try to hire you. :D Amazing work!

[ZenLefty]

34. Maybe later in life, I'll do some of that work for hire.

Right now I have too much going on to do that.

[Kittycat]

10. GORGEOUS!!!

That is just amazing... Would you like to come and do my 1897 kitchen? It looks like the 60's threw up on the cabinets, counters & flooring. I hate it so bad, that my poor DH does most of the dishes because I can't stand being in there - it's truly depressing... With exception of the beautiful tin ceiling :D

[ZenLefty]

35. The kitchen is often the first thing people modernize

There's nothing wrong with updating the technology, but some of the tasteless things people did with cabinets and countertops really defies belief. Especially in the floors - the only good thing about a 60's floor is you can drop crap on it and don't worry if you damage it too much.

Someday soon, I'm going to do our kitchen. It'll be a lot like that. I'm kind of a stickler for properly made cabinetry, the kind you can't get at Home Depot.

[jmowreader]

48. Or anywhere else, for that matter

[Lavender Brown]

11. Wow! Love those tiles and the woodwork

Great job!

[ZenLefty]

36. Tiles are one of my favorite parts.

They weren't cheap, but they are really beautiful and one-of-a-kind.

[miss_kitty]

58. Well since it's a permanent install

and a focal point, it only makes sense to splash out. The tiles ARE gorgeous!

[Lars39]

12. Somehow a :drool: just doesn't cover it!

:wow: :toast: Absolutely gorgeous!

[ZenLefty]

38. Thanks.

I hate to sound like I'm bragging (which I'm not), but pictures really don't do it justice. The camera just can't capture the depth of the color, or the grain of the wood.

[miss_kitty]

46. well then

I guess all 55,000 of us will have to come over and give it a look-see! Minus the freeps, of course.

[blue sky at night]

13. nothing better than a cast iron stove......

is it a real wood burner or natural gas? Beautiful Job, just think if you had paid to have it built. My brother-in-law's house looks just like that, it is in Kent, OH. Also, nice job on the post.

[ZenLefty]

40. Natural gas.

It's a Jotul stove. From the research we did, they make some of the best ones.

[deadmessengers]

14. Wow

I am in awe. What a beautiful display of craftsmanship. You've added some serious value to your house.

[ZenLefty]

41. Thanks.

My only regret is that it's built into the house. Now we can't move. :o

[deadmessengers]

63. That's part of the fun of it, actually

If you move, you get to do it again in the next house, and feel that (well earned) pride all over again.

Incidentally, I also noticed that you did the floor as part of your project, as well - it looks as good as the rest of the work you did.

[Bunny]

15. Absolutely fantastic!!

That is very nice work. Now, when should we stop by tomorrow? :)

[ZenLefty]

42. After you voted, and not before!!

Then, it's hot chocolate and Bailey's for everyone. :D

[Maiden England]

16. you talented devil you

that is beautiful work.

[ZenLefty]

43. Not talented.

Just patient, and I have a lot of tools. :D

[rasputin1952]

17. Great Job!!!!!

I am duly impressed. And you did this all in a weekend????:silly:

[ZenLefty]

44. Yup. Just like on Changing Rooms.

:D

[arwalden]

18. Wow! That's Very Impressive!!

I like it a lot.

[ZenLefty]

45. Thank you.

Certainly better than the previous stove.

[markdd]

19. We're not worth, we're not worthy

That is amazing! Great work!

[ZenLefty]

47. Yes you are.

Anyone who can find my house is welcome to come over and warm their feet for a while. :D

[miss_kitty]

20. my god. you did all that in 3 months

and still have time to Mod on DU? are you one of those people that only needs 15 mins of sleep in a 24 hour cycle?

It's positively stunning. It must feel like a new house!

On Edit: Oh. and I see you refinished the floor while you were at it. or did you just put in a new one?

[ZenLefty]

49. About two months, actually

Plus a couple weeks waiting for permits and inspectors for the gas line. And a couple weeks up front buying all the wood and hardware I'd need.

I never sleep. :o

[cheezus]

21. how bout a pic of your workshop

bet you got a lot of tools

[amerikat]

28. Second that

[ZenLefty]

62. Sure.

It's not called the Pig Pen for nothing.

[Maddy McCall]

22. Gorgeous work! You are a very talented woodworker.

Lovely work! :-)

[ZenLefty]

50. Nah. Just patient.

I could post the number of times I botched up a piece of wood and had to start over, but I've lost track of that.

[amerikat]

25. From a fellow woodworker. Wow. Nice job.

Warm and cozy. Great job on the floor also. Did you also make the mirror?

[ZenLefty]

51. I did make that mirror.

Made that a long time ago. Found a nice copper-plated mirror (thick thick THICK glass) and wanted to make a strong frame around it.

[amerikat]

55. It has nice lines, good balance.

[huskerlaw]

27. OMG, that is AMAZING!!

Excellent job!

[ZenLefty]

52. Thank you.

I love woodworking. I think you have to, to put that kind of time into it.

[undergroundrailroad]

37. It's ART! I just love it ZEN!

It's so beautiful and inviting. So I'll take you up on your offer. I'll have a window dedicated to that beautiful fireplace.

Undergroundrailroad :hi:

[ZenLefty]

53. Thanks!!

You'll be the only one who knows why I signed the last piece of wood "Zen-T". :D

[Gothic Sponge]

39. Vey nice!

Great job!

[ZenLefty]

54. Thank you.

:D

[newyawker99]

57. What a great job Zen.

It is so beautiful!

:thumbsup:

[ZenLefty]

64. Thank you

It's warming up the house right now. :D

[greyfox]

59. Awesome work!!!!

Gorgeous! I DO love a fireplace... here is mine:

[ZenLefty]

65. Ooo, that's nice.

I do like natural stone. :D

[greyfox]

87. Me, toooooooooooooooo

that's why I had em do the whole wall and a half! Hehehe

[DonP]

60. Nice joinery!

Quartersawn oak has such gorgeous grain and texture to it. The finish is great. Did you stain it or do something more exotic?

Did you do the design work too?

I have to design and build a set of cabinets/bookcases to flank my fireplace in the family room. and I want to tie the cabinets together with an integral mantle too and maybe an overhead bridge with some recessed lights.

Now you've made me feel guilty so I have to get out my old T-square, and architect rule to try and get some decent proportions. (I wish I had a decent CAD program available for my MAC G-3.) I guess I have to do it the old fashioned way, with lots of eraser time.

Very nice work. Congratulations.

[ZenLefty]

66. About the design...

I design all the projects I do. But this one came out different. Usually, I draw something out and it becomes completely different when it's built. This one, I stuck to the script. Except I decided not to put in some extraneous trim pieces that seemed to detract from the craftsman style.

I was pressed for time in the end, so the finish is just plain old Minwax stain, with a couple light coats of poly.

I bought some cheap cad software that works really well - IMSI TurboCad Designer v. 7. I often start on paper, cad out some distances and 3D shapes, and put the final drawing on paper.

http://www.imsisoft.com/faminfo.asp?fam=1

Looks like they're up to version 10.

[flamingyouth]

61. Zen! It's gorgeous! You have to come visit my fireplace too

Next time you're in Seattle, there's a spot for you! :hi:

[ZenLefty]

67. That looks very nice!

Is that original to the house? Looks wonderful.

[flamingyouth]

68. Thanks - the fireplace and mantel are

The shelves and cupboards on the sides were added on. :D

[2bfree]

69. Wow!

The tile is gorgeous! You did a great job on the wood work! Way to go!

[ZenLefty]

70. Thanks.

I love woodworking. :D

[Cerridwen]

71. Gorgeous! Abso-freeking-lutely GORGEOUS!

Truly talented. I know, I know, you said patient; but all the truly talented people I know are willing to spend the time to do and re-do and re-do and re-do until they reach the vision they have in their head (or at the very least, a close approximation). Based on your posts, I'd say you are one of "them."

Truly talented. Beautiful work you did.

Thank you so much for sharing those pictures or your art.

Wow.



:hi:

[ZenLefty]

74. Measure forty six times, cut once.

That's me. :D

[Cerridwen]

75. Wow, not only talented, but a Pro, too! LOL ---n/t

[dancing kali]

72. Damn, you do good work!

I love those tiles. That's what I've been considering for my fireplace to replace the terracotta tiles on mine - are they antique? They look like they're 3x3 tiles. Am I correct? What's the depth of the mantle and the shelf units? How deep is the insert? Why did you choose it? I've been wondering if that is the way to go when we redo ours.

I like what you did with the windows as well. Very impressive. Oh, and good choice of hardware. Did you do the floors too?

How old is your place? It looks like it's the same era as the bungalow I'm in (late 20's - mid 30's).

[ZenLefty]

76. The tiles...

They're actually 4" x 4". We looked at a lot of tile, including some reclaimed antique ones, but these we liked the best. They were also the most expensive - I think it was $54 per square foot. :scared: Luckily, we didn't have a huge area to do.

http://www.handcrafttile.com/

http://www.handcrafttile.com/Klinker2.shtml

The top mantle is 15 1/2" deep. The sides come out about 14". Inside, the bookshelves have about a 10" depth, big enough for most (but not all, as we found out) books and some nice pottery. The bookshelves are, of course, adjustable.

It's actually not an insert but a gas stove that sits entirely outside the opening. We have an unusually sized opening, and had trouble finding (1) an insert that looked antique, and (2) something that would fit. During our research we came across Jotul, and really liked the styles that we saw, and the color. You won't find that color on many other gas stoves nowadays, which seem to come in a variety of solid ceramic colors.

http://www.jotul.com/

Our bungalow was built in 1929. It's a working man's bungalow, and probably never had anything that fancy when it was built, but some of the more preserved houses in our hood still have the bookshelves and brick fireplace.

:D

[dancing kali]

81. Thanks for the links.

I hear you on the price... I have a knack of being able to look at options for what I want for the house and will always find the most expensive is the one I really like. Never fails.

I hope you have many a delightful evening in front of that beautiful fireplace. You certainly have earned it.

[tilsammans]

73. Truly a work of art!

The tiles you used look gorgeous with the woodgrain. Love the authentic hardware too.

What a transformation from the "before" pic!

:toast:

[ZenLefty]

77. Yeah, we lived with the cement fireplace for a long time.

It took a while to save up the money to do this. (The floors, though, we did a long time ago).

[BiggJawn]

78. Abso-forkin-lootly outstanding!

I need a ciggy and a nap after seeing that!
Beautiful! You did a great job!

[ScreamingMeemie]

79. Holy cow! Beautiful Zen! Astoundingly so!

:hi:

[smbolisnch]

80. Absolutely beautiful work!

nt

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

82. Abso-fricking-lutely gorgeous!!

I am so freaking jealous.

I fancy myself a bit of an interior decorator and I want so badly to put a single potted orchid right on one side or the other of that mantlepiece!

I am drooling on my keyboard, that style is right up my alley. WOW.

[VolcanoJen]

83. Masterful, inspirational, stunning.

I applaud your taste and hard work, Zen! You deserve the cozy.

Looking forward to enjoying your fireplace in celebration,
JenJen

[gardenista]

84. Absolutely gorgeous! Wow, you must look at that at night

and be filled with pride.

And let me tell you something, all lurking freepers are completely insane with jealousy, and will consider this post yet another sign that their secret fear is true and that Democrats really are far superior in every way, including woodworking skills, which must be an incredible blow. Poor suckers.

Really, you did a great job.

[VOX]

85. Just outstanding work, ZL -- amazing!

You've completely transformed that room in to a very inviting space.
And the choice of tile is superb.

Just outstanding in every way -- I'm thoroughly impressed with your skill and artistry!

Cheers -- :toast:

[MsConduct]

86. WOW! That is beautiful, you should be proud! n/t