A staircase can be gorgeous, but the side profile is what really makes it feel finished, and that’s where the stair stringer gets to shine. Exposed Sawtooth Stringer Exposed sawtooth stringer—clean Scandinavian lines with bold plywood layers on display. Showing the “teeth” of an open stringer gives a modern, airy vibe, and I’ve used a clear finish to let the plywood layers or wood grain do the talking. It’s such a bold look that even…
Your wedding day goes by in a happy blur, and I love the idea of giving those little moments a home you can actually hold. A wedding keepsake box does that beautifully—part storage, part decor, and part time capsule for your love story. Slide-Top Keepsake Box for a Clean Look Minimal slide-top walnut keepsake box—clean lines and that satisfying smooth-open moment. A slide-top lid is perfect if you love minimal lines and don’t want hardware…
A great safe room door has to do two jobs at once: feel seriously strong and still fit your home’s style. I’ve built and installed a bunch of these over the years, and the best designs balance heavy-duty security with clever, calm-looking finishes. Vault-Style Door With Timber Frame Vault-style steel door framed in reclaimed timber—bold security with warm, rustic charm. I’ve framed a vault-style steel door with chunky reclaimed beams, and it instantly felt like…
Barn beams have this magic way of making a room feel instantly warmer, like it’s been loved for decades. Vaulted Ceiling Ridge Beam Accent A single reclaimed ridge barn beam turns a vaulted ceiling into a warm, finished focal point. If you’ve got a vaulted ceiling, I love running one strong ridge barn beam down the peak to draw your eye up. I’ve done this in a bedroom makeover, and it instantly made the room…
When a door has a glass insert, it can feel like you’re living in a fishbowl—even if you love all that natural light. Woven Wood Shade for Texture A woven wood shade brings warm texture and soft light control to a minimal door. A woven wood shade adds instant texture, especially if your door is surrounded by simple trim and neutral walls. I’ve hung these near a patio setup before, and they gave me that…
A basic sliding door can feel a little builder-grade, but the right trim makes it look like it truly belongs in the room. Flat Farmhouse Board Trim Flat farmhouse board trim turns a sliding door into a clean, custom-looking focal point. When I want an easy win, I wrap the sliding glass door trim with simple flat boards (think clean farmhouse casing) and crisp square corners. I’ve done this in more than one rental refresh…
A plain old pallet can turn into the kind of statement piece that makes your whole room (or porch) feel styled in one afternoon. Here are my favorite pallet paint ideas I keep coming back to in my workshop when I want big impact without fancy materials. Rustic Flag Stripes Rustic flag stripes on a scuffed pallet—minimal, timeless paint idea with handmade charm. Painting a pallet with classic stripes and a star block gives you…
A good gift tray is really a whole little moment you can hand to someone—cozy, useful, and pretty all at once. I build mine around warm wood tones and a “full and abundant” look, usually in a basket or crate that becomes part of the gift. Cozy Blanket and Candle Crate Weathered wood crate with blanket, candle, fuzzy socks, and a sweet treat—pure comfort. This cozy gift tray is my “instant comfort” formula: a throw…
A great tabletop gets all the glory, but the right base is what makes a wood table feel rock-solid and look intentional. Farmhouse Trestle Base Chunky reclaimed-wood trestle base—farmhouse strength with a clean Scandinavian feel. A chunky trestle base is my go-to for long dining tables because it’s strong and still gives you decent legroom. I’ve built these from reclaimed beams, and the little dents and saw marks make the base feel like it has…
There’s just something about black walnut—that deep chocolate heartwood next to creamy sapwood makes even simple builds look high-end. These project ideas are all about letting that natural contrast and grain do the heavy lifting without turning your weekend into a full-on cabinet build. Live Edge Walnut Coat Rack Live-edge black walnut coat rack—swirling grain and brass hooks for a calm, crafted entry. I’ve built a live edge black walnut coat rack for my entryway,…
