Hardscaping is hard work. One of the very first major projects I undertook at our farmhouse was a paver driveway. Well, driveway isn't entirely accurate. Parking area for two vehicles is more like it. It seemed so straightforward to lay down some bricks in such a small area. "I think I'll be able to get 'er done in a weekend," I told my wife. This was with the benefit of having … [Read more...] about A Flagstone Patio
An Attractive DIY Kegerator
First, why might you want to build a kegerator? If you like beer, especially if you like brewing your own beer, then the logic behind a kegerator requires no explanation. However, if you are currently spending a small fortune on carbonated beverages in either can format or the ludicrously expensive Sodastream or other force carbonated home seltzer machines, then the economics … [Read more...] about An Attractive DIY Kegerator
A Fieldstone Retaining Wall
Our 1850s farmhouse was built back at a time when using heavy machinery to prepare a homesite wasn't an option. The house is built into the grade with an aggressive slope towards our stream. Field stone walls have been built, some presumably centuries ago, to counter the slope, yielding relatively flat land across much of our property near the main house. We’ve never aspired to … [Read more...] about A Fieldstone Retaining Wall
A Shaker Peg Rail
Is there a better design choice for a simple organization system for the various items in your home that require hanging when not in active use? Shaker design is still commonly used in many modern woodworking and cabinetry applications. While building a Shaker cabinet face frame is perhaps out of reach for the average homeowner, building your own Shaker peg rail from scratch is … [Read more...] about A Shaker Peg Rail
A Built-In Entryway Shoe Bench
When you live in a 1200 square foot house, you really need to make efficient use of space. Where some homes have palatial entry ways featuring closets and coat racks and storage galore, our 1850 farmhouse enters right into the kitchen with no logical place to deposit shoes and a handful of hooks that we added via a classic Shaker peg rail. This system is woefully inadequate and … [Read more...] about A Built-In Entryway Shoe Bench