If you ask the common folk about “wood decay,” most will assume that it’s a bad thing. Something weak. Something useless. But in the world of woodworking there is one gorgeous exception: spalted maple. Spalted maple is evidence that nature can turn…
Hearing the name Indian Laurel, people often think of one thing. In fact, however, this name refers to two very different plants. One is a big shade tree that you will find in the cities. The other is a sturdy, lovely…
A walking cane is more than just a tool for support. For a lot of folks, it is something you have on you every single day — something that you depend and count on. People have been using wood to make walking…
Last year, I found myself in a hardware store gripping two bottles. One said Hardwax Oil. The other said Danish Oil. Both promised beauty, natural protection and durability. One was nearly three times as costly as the other. Like most people, I…
Step into a woodworking shop, and typically two machines dominate the space from their location in opposite corners: the band saw and the table saw. Both are robust, both are reliable and both can revolutionize the way you work with wood. But…
Brick homes can really catch people’s attention. They feel substantial, old-fashioned and made to last. But here’s a little secret that many homeowners don’t discover until issues arise later: most modern brick homes aren’t built with solid brick at all. Instead, they employ…
You’d think that picking out cabinet doors would be the quick and easy part of a kitchen remodel but it is one choice you’ll have to live with for years. When you enter a warm, traditional kitchen that feels like homey and…
When I first started learning woodworking, an older craftsman once showed me a workbench that was older than both of us. He tapped one corner and said, “That joint has lasted generations because it was the proper way to do it.”…
What Is a Hip Roof? A hip roof has four sides, of which all the sides slope downwards to the walls. There are no flat ends the way a gable roof does. Each side of the house is sheltered by a slanting…
The Real Timeline Every Tile Project Needs to Know You’ve just now completed grouting your tiles. The lines are smooth, the mess is gone, and now you’re standing there asking yourself: Can I walk on it yet? Can I shower? Can I…
