The Built-In Life
What happens after the installers leave. How to organize built-ins so they stay organized, what you’ll forget to plan for, and a frank look at wear and repairs at year 5, 10, and 15.
01
Storage Cabinet With Doors: A Cabinetmaker’s Guide to Better Home Storage
Storage cabinet with doors ideas for every room, with honest guidance on materials, hardware, sizing, built-in costs, an...
02
Storage Cabinets Storage: A Cabinetmaker’s Guide to Better Built-Ins
Storage cabinets storage ideas from a custom cabinetmaker: compare materials, layouts, hardware, and costs before planni...
03
Storage Cabinet Design: How to Choose Materials, Hardware, and Fit
Storage cabinet ideas from a Seattle cabinetmaker: compare materials, sizing, hardware, costs, and built-in options befo...
04
How to Organize a New Built-In So It Stays Organized (From Someone Who's Seen the Aftermath)
Most built-ins look perfect on install day. Six months later, the cereal boxes have migrated to the wrong shelf, the sh...
05
Five Things People Forget to Plan for When Designing Built-Ins — and Regret Within Six Months
Everyone remembers the big decisions — cabinet layout, door style, finish color. The regrets come from the small things ...
06
What Happens to Custom Cabinetry at 5, 10, and 15 Years: A Frank Look at Wear, Repairs, and Regrets
Custom cabinetry ages, but it doesn't fail in the ways prefab furniture does. At five years, doors need adjustment. At t...
07
How to Clean and Maintain Wood Cabinetry Without Ruining the Finish
The three most common cabinet cleaners — vinegar, steam, and Murphy's Oil Soap — are the fastest way to strip a finish, ...