RedneckModern

Where design meets real life: A POV

As a builder, every time I pick up a hammer,

I realize something that I got wrong as a designer...

By day, I spend my time as a designer and design-educator dreaming up new ways to solve visual problems with a bit of beauty or interest. However, early-on in my career, I took a strong liking to the craft of production... on the journey, I've picked up a few new monikers: builder, maker, craftsman (or the latest: "super-detail-oriented-customer"). Between cabinetry designs, bath renovations, door installs and now audio builds, I'm keeping myself busy.

This has given a unique perspective on how to get stuff done that looks great and works well. I has also dispelled the idea that "good design" isn't about uniqueness, but has as much to do with what can be produced — and repeated if necessary... and last a long time. This spans the gamut from material choices to installation techniques... and along the way, I've learned a few things. Here are three tips that might come in handy when planning a project:

[Over the years, my boots have seen a lot of muck, but each time I step in it, I learn something new.]

Eichlerstencils.com + Kind words from the Eichler Network

The latest set of stencils are available at EichlerStencils.com and the Eichler Network has stepped in to get the word out.

Special Thanks to Marty Arbunich for his interest and to Dan Smith for the interview and great attention to detail in the article in general. Given their format, word count is at a minimum, but here in blog format, I can expand a bit on what Dan said in his original text.

4082 Wilson Lane For Sale

Our friends Sean and Tracy are selling their house on Wilson. While we'll be sorry to see them go, we suspect they'll stay close, so we'll still see them often... and someone else gets to pick up a sweet house.

It's a "flat roof" model which is a bit under-appreciated in my opinion... I've always liked the simplicity of the flow and — to me — it feels a bit more vintage that the other two models in our tract. It also has the largest garage of the three. I was able to stop by the other day for some photos and to check out some of the work that Sean and Tracy have done to prepare for the sale.

Fitting Ikea Utrusta hinges to Akurum Cabinets

Yes, you can fit Ikea's Utrusta hinges (specifically the 153-degree type) to older Akurum cabinets (w/ Integral hinges) with slight modification. You'll need:

• gumption: this is not a direct bolt-on modification and it finds you drilling larger keyholes in your now-discontinued doors
• 153-degree hinges: these are available new at IKEA
• 9/32 drill bit
• a steady hand
• the original Akurum T-style mounting plates: Perhaps you already have these mounted — if not, you'll need to find some or drill new pilot holes for the flat Sektion style — even more nerve wracking.

At first glance, the older Integral hinges and the 153-degree Utrusta are identical. They are not. They're close — and usable — but they are not direct bolt-on replacements. In order to use them, you'll need to drill larger keyholes in your doors. If you have your old/existing T-style mounting plates, you can re-use them (they are a direct bolt on), but if you don't, you'll either have to find some in an Integral set or drill new holes for the Utrusta / Flat-style as the hold configuration between the cabinets are different (side/side vs. top/bottom). Neither are hard, but if you're not careful, you can screw up a door that is no longer made. Here's how to do it and avoid catastrophe:

You can see the key "nuggets" are a bit larger on the Utrusta necessitating that you either shave them off or drill slightly larger keyholes in your doors.

Workshop 2.0: Transition (+ Overview)

This spring, we tackled a small project that turned into a major one that was going to turn into an even more major one and then we got sidetracked... and then it was October.

Long story short, the workshop was stripped bare and reorganized.

Ellen has a new door

Ellen lives a few streets over and needed a new door... as most folks know, the original doors are hollow-core 1-3/8 interior doors — not really suited for exterior use... especially 50+ years of exterior use.

She has the same model as we do (and the same as Chris/Sara and Lindsey/Jeff and Chris/Laura, Glen/Molly and Judith/David...) so it was a fairly familiar fit. However, in a past repair, someone had jacked up the framing a good bit which necessitated a good bit more repair work around the jamb, including sawing out the old bore-locations and replacing with new redwood... (tip: this is how it's s'posed to be done... leave the Bondo at home, kids).

Ellen also opted for both the top and bottom plates. As an avid cyclist (and grandmother of rowdy kids), protection at the bottom corner from kicks and tires will be nice.

She likes it so much, she's started to dress like it. ;)

... and there's a good bit more landscaping and construction going on around the house, too.

Side deck and new uses for CaliBamboo's BamDeck

On the side of the MicroEichler, there was an under-used space that needed a purpose. I had been wanting to put either an outdoor shower or a potting area (we need to latter more than the former) and both could have benefited from a flat, even surface. It gave me the perfect opportunity to further test the new CaliBamboo BamDeck and perfect the install technique with the Camo Marksman driver. Ironically, the key to success was with a competitor's product.

[Facia still needs to be installed, but the structure and deck-top are complete...]

Judith and David's New Door

(or... my Dutch neighbor's new non-Dutch door).

Judith and David needed a new door... it's good thing they lives across the street. This was one of the most convenient, yet time-intensive installs yet. Convenient in that the workshop was 150 feet away... time intensive in that I've never put so many coats of paint on a door before (*it took 1/2 gallon of paint to get full, opaque coverage — about 8 coats).

They also have an original electro-piezo entry buzzer that they wanted to retain, so I was able to restore it — and the jamb around it for better-than new appearance and mortise a deadbolt and plate for full security.

The first step was stripping the frame of the existing stops (I replace them with new wood on every install) and five decades of paint. Once back to the original redwood base, the process of reconstructing the jamb could begin.

All in all, although a bit more in the time-department that we initially bargained for, it's a very nice upgrade from the previous state.

(*for a number of Home-Depot-related reasons, we did not use the tried/true Behr Premium Plus Ultra on this door... and paid the price in multiple coats. On the next install, I might try their Marque line which guaranteed one-coat coverage... a guarantee I'll gladly take them up on.)

Monica and Ron's New Dutch Door

It was a double-Dutch-door week with the install of Mendi and Mike's door... and now Monica and Ron's. Interestingly enough, they were coincidental and also identical — Monica and Ron's actually served as a template for Mendi and Mike's since theirs was an entirely new creation (new post, etc.). We scheduled the install for Tuesday and I finished off the painting yesterday.

Monica and Ron started with a solid enough door... which is unusual. They had it replaced 8 or so years ago but when it came to priming and painting the door, the top and bottom edges were left raw and unpainted and the elements degraded the door and it began to delaminate. Ron also really, really, really wanted a doorknob with an escutcheon.

Mendi's Dutch Door Preview

Neighbors and friends, Mike and Mendi, were in need of a new door — two in fact (their bath exterior door is next)... and hit me up while on summer break. However, theirs is a bit more complex. It's a good thing Mike was there to lend a hand yesterday in the install even though, throughout the process, it became clear that it was actually Mendi's door. It was a nice chance to try a fresh install with some new materials.

Their previous door was not original and was converted to a Dutch door at some point by sawing it in half. Worse, it was an 80in door with a 4in filler strip at the top (the original was an 84in door). Worse still is a pesky detail in our carport models that the strike posts seem to not be anchored to the concrete below and are sitting directly on the concrete. This is the second time I've encountered this (first, with Erin's door) and it amazes me that these doors are still functional... nothing short of a toe-nail (or an L-bracket added much later as in this case) seems to be anchoring these posts to the ground. With one swift kick, Mike took out the post. This was fine as the post had seen better days anyway.