Category Archives: Shelving

Mondays with Mike…8-1-2022 Edition 25

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There’s Gold in That Thar Kitchen !

Ah, yes… the early stages of the search to find that elusive kitchen accessory that just doesn’t have a real home. This young chef-in-training it seems is finding out the hard way that organization is the key to nearly everything in life going smoothly…well, in the kitchen anyway. As we see here, she’s searching shoulder deep within these drawers, which we can deduce are clearly in need of some organizational inserts. For if they were equipped already, there would likely be no search, let alone a shoulder deep one. Speaking of search, www.WoodworkerExpress.com is the answer to where we find these goods, and as such, would be option 1, 2 and 3 for satisfying our kitchen design needs! Like these floating shelves, for example: responsible entirely for supporting the spice offerings available to all who enter and eat.

I’ve mentioned it before, not only because it’s rad, but because it’s bold and who doesn’t like bold from time to time…if not all the time? I’m talking about the intentional gold hardware choices on display here. Those opulent gold pulls could quite likely be causing our junior chef to have to shield her eyes from the sheen. I’ve also got a need to mention this gold-trimmed king-sized range hood that looks aesthetically like it could’ve been in service on the Titanic! It’s surely an amazing hood and yet another item that we can help you spec. out when the time comes for you to purchase your own.

There’s gold in that ‘thar kitchen!

Technically, it’s true…just look at the gold pull near the sink, the gold knob under the country sink, the golden door hinges…and for Pete’ sake: even the floor grate is golden! These folks have brought forth the bold and as a result, this kitchen area is fabulous. The inquisitive eye will find more to like in this small photo and realize that it can likely be found in spades at: www.WoodworkerExpress.com.

Kitchen with bold gold accents

Mondays with Mike…7-18-2022 Edition 23

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Everything Old is “New” Again

If it’s a period look they’re going for…then ‘Ding’ is the sound we’ll all hear from the award tower as they chime the winning bell, I suppose. This is undoubtedly the most unique bit of ‘décor-ing’, I’ve witnessed. As I normally act when cleaning up a skillet or pan and equipped with a stainless steel sink, I‘m inclined to go for more of a ‘gentle’ mode, but that all gets thrown out the window when I’m doing my normal countertop work. As a matter of fact, I may actually consider skipping the traditional countertop wipe-downp and instead go for a light-grit sanding to remove some of those scrub-ready stains. In all seriousness, this could be a real contender for folks with small children and/or a care-free spouse/lifestyle. The use of old barn wood, iron fixtures and antiques says everything old can indeed be new again. It just needs repurposing.

Admire, if you will the fantastic incorporation of the ultra-modern floating shelves, which we see regularly in kitchen design. Don’t miss the hardware latches from a bygone era and their accompanying bin pulls. WAY back in the day, kids! Can someone please advise what I’m guessing might be a melon-squisher is exactly being used for? I thought they only used those things in the workshop, not the kitchen…and for hammering/bending/blacksmithing?!

Regardless, if rugged is your thing, we have the components on hand to get you closer to your inner John Wayne ‘sharpen your knife on the countertop’ mindset. Just look us up at: www.WoodworkerExpress.com. And remember, don’t throw anything away just yet because it could all come back into vogue at any time!

Rustic kitchen using old barn wood and iron hardware
Image courtesy of homebnc.com

Mondays with Mike…7-11-2022 Edition 22

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Organize for Success

We’ve certainly got a nice closet here to look at today. For starters, I’m a pretty big fan of the gray color scheme. It’s to me, perhaps the most tranquil color to start and end with. I love its passiveness and ability to work with so many other colors. The other standout in the images is how the closet is organized. An organized closet helps you more easily find exactly what you are looking for from a sport coat to your favorite sneakers. Organizing for success saves you time, space and peace of mind knowing you can easily lay your hands on any item you are looking for.

Speaking of organization, look how the combination of both open, hanging and drawer storage works here. The open storage areas allow for the addition of cloth baskets. These make great portable storage or maybe even seasonal storage that could easily be moved elsewhere. And with some side mount slides, you can create custom drawers fit to the exact width of your closet space. And of course, every closet needs closet rods. We have a great selection of styles, lengths and finishes available.

Taking a look at the main center cabinet, I’d be curious if there might be a microwave oven parked behind the two doors? It could perhaps be a convenient addition for the hungry go-getter in a hurry? Think about it, there’s likely a TV and faucet nearby. So it’s not out of the question that this en suite might just be made ‘a bit more complete’ by having a microwave in the mix.

Finally, maybe you want to take the ultimate organizational step and hide the whole closet away! With the additional of barn doors and some large appliance pulls you have created the mac daddy of successful organized closets!

Whether it’s your kitchen, mudroom, garage, or your closet, give www.WoodworkerExpress.com a thought; we can likely help you with whatever it is you need, except for maybe cowboy boots and blue sneakers.

Grey closet with organizers
Photo courtesy of The Closet Factory Los Angeles

Mondays with Mike…June 13th 2022 Edition Twenty

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Add sophistication to a neutral kitchen with mixed finish cabinet hardware.

Today we’ve got a neutral kitchen corner on display with accessories that you can find at: www.WoodworkerExpress.com. This kitchen designer has chosen a great new trend in cabinet hardware, mixed finish knobs and pulls. These contemporary shapes feature a dual finish in this case black nickel. When we’re talking about choosing matching knobs and pulls mixed finish hardware can add that class and sophistication you seek but can’t always easily find. The collection featured here is the Mulino Collection by Amerock.

An already effective blend comes alive even further when you combine this clean looking apron front sink with a “touchless” faucet finished in black nickel. Like any white car owner can tell you, a bright color/aesthetic will leave you no choice but to keep things clean…but that’s not a bad thing, is it? There’s a few things for sale in this photo that you likely can’t even see like finish-specific caulk to seal it all up and keep sloppy faucet users from ruining it for the rest of us. Confession- While doing dishes at home, if I drip/spill/submerge water onto the under sink cabinets, the Mrs. will cringe and ‘remind’ me I’m just about to destroy the cabinets. So…I’m sloppy!

And while we’re at it, notice (or not) the nearly camouflaged floating shelf on the back wall whose function is to support, but not be seen….or whatever that military credo is. Lastly, the cutting board here can’t be overlooked. It’s a great piece to add for decorative charm along with the contrast it provides against the white background…but perhaps even more importantly; the fact that it’s designed to hold cheese.

Apron Front Sinks, Mulino Collection cabinet Hardware, cutting Boards, floating shelves
Photo Courtesy of Amerock Hardware

Mondays with Mike…5-16-2022 Edition Sixteen

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Update your kitchen with farmhouse style.

Another Monday, another fantabulous kitchen to spill stuff on/into/around. Actually I did just that yesterday at a kids birthday party. I filled up my fashionable and pre-chilled ‘all weather’ cup with a bit too much Green River, and during the ice/soda volcanic reaction we’ve all come to know, it runneth o’er onto their nice glass table. They quickly handed me a paper towel to rectify my idiocy, but there was still a massive sugar glaze/haze when I looked down through the table at my socks. ‘Mom’ assured me it was no big deal, she’d just wipe it down with cleaner after we left. I felt like I was six years old again, but I guess, at least I didn’t spill any on the floor. It’s the small victories, right?

I guess I was starting to talk about the awesome kitchen here, so I’ll continue. The white countertops and bright natural light here make me feel like I’m on vacation. I’d expect you could probably read a book here at the counter with no artificial lighting up until probably 9:00pm. Farmhouse style touches include barn door hardware and matching the ceiling support beam wood tones with the floating shelves…AND the stool-like chairs makes this “shrine-esque.” I’ll quickly mention that those floating shelves along with the seemingly unnecessary (at least during the day) LED puck lighting can both be purchased at www.WoodworkerExpress.com. I’ve noticed that the pull-down faucet chosen here comes across as super elegant and bright, and thusly quite decorative in character…but be advised, they are ‘real world’ ready and these are found in our online shop, as well.

Looks like we’ve got a nice double oven on display here, too. My wife always mentions that she’d love to have one, but we don’t really eat/cook enough to justify buying one. It’d certainly qualify as one of those purchases where you use it (maybe) a couple of times a year, but somehow continue to convince yourself you can’t live without it. SMH!

Look…I LOVE this kitchen, but if I’m asking to see inside the horse’s mouth, do the adjacent cabinets perhaps ascend a wee bit higher than the average NBA star’s height? Crikey! That top glass cabinet might require a call to the local fire dept. to bring in a ladder to reach it.

Since your eyes are still looking upward, notice the super discrete range hood. I mentioned in last week’s edition the brilliant range hood being used and here again, we’ve got another fantastic hood, albeit this one blends in so well, we might want to consider it ‘camouflage chic’. Not in the traditional sense, of course, but here it’s just so cleverly discrete. If that term ‘camouflage chic’ somehow takes off in a ‘viral’ kind of way, you heard it here first and I, for sure, want a piece of that action.

OK, I’m off for now, but who reading this thought it odd that I didn’t address the yarn dish they’re serving for lunch? It’s all about the fiber, I suppose.

A modern farmhouse kitchen using wood accents and contemporary hardware
Photo courtesy of Houzz Modern Farmhouse | 2019 Dry Creek Parade

Mondays with Mike…4-4-2022 Edition Ten

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Can Slatwall Organization Save Your Life?

I wouldn’t know what to do with 3/4 of the items attached to the slatwall on display here. As a townhome owner/occupier (and monthly assessment donor), I consider myself fortunate enough to not have to do (m)any exterior yard chores or snow shoveling as part of my habitation duties. It’s a beautiful thing, as it suits my preferred lifestyle quite well. It also opens up free time for hobbies on the weekends (like Soap Carving, or Competitive Duck Herding) when you’re not bogged down doing exterior home maintenance and groundskeeping.

However, for those in the majority, I’d be remiss to not introduce the HandiWall® PVC Slatwall Organization System from HandiSolutions®. This system is essentially a Swiss Army knife-like configuration to keep your garage/hobby room organized and in top form. A house/garage is not a home without these comprehensive storage ‘staples’. And, for the approach, there’s some general ‘rack’ type of supports, which are super flexible for those types of tools that you tend to hang when you store them…I’m thinking: shovel, rake, hoe, broom….pool cue! No real need to go ‘general’ unless you choose to because HandiSolutions® has an exhaustive amount of super specialized hangers/hooks/shelves/tool racks/bags/bins/baskets/etc. to choose from when outfitting that PVC HandiWall® of yours. Spouse-permitting, you might even be able to outfit your kitchen pantry with some of the accessories shown here…you’ve just gotta use your imagination. That said, don’t blame me if your spouse doesn’t quite see eye-to-eye with you on the idea of installing HandiWall® Slatwall Organization into your kitchen pantry….and don’t feel bad; there’s always the garage or your hobby room.

Slatwall organization for your garage
Photo courtesy of HandiSolututions

How To Install Open Bathroom Shelves

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Bathrooms come in all shapes and sizes, but they always have one thing in common—there is never enough storage space. Learning how to install open bathroom shelves is a quick and easy way to squeeze extra storage on the walls of the bathroom. Plus, when chosen correctly, open shelves bring a little charm into an otherwise dull room of the house.

Determine Size and Spacing

Step into your bathroom and choose a wall where you will hang the shelves. Then, measure for width and height and how much space you’ll want in between each shelf. Next, determine how much shelving you will need based on your available space and needs.

A helpful hint is to find the tallest items you want to store to make sure the shelves are distanced apart enough to provide room for them.

Decide What Kind of Shelves to Install

There are multiple options when choosing open shelves: make them; buy them unfinished and stain or paint them yourself; or buy them pre-cut and prefinished. Whichever direction you choose, a visit to your favorite online shop or a trip to the local home improvement store is in order to choose your materials.

Floating Shelf with dishes and glassware
36″ Alder Floating Shelf System from Omega National (SKU # 11315387)

For simple open shelves, all you’ll need are boards to use for shelves and brackets for hanging along with the necessary tools, anchors, and screws. Or, purchase shelving kits such as floating shelves which contain the shelves and your hardware for hanging. Another option is standards and brackets for shelving.

Measure the space in your bathroom where the shelves will go to determine what size shelves you need to purchase or create.

Measure and Mark the Location

After measuring your space and choosing shelves and brackets, it’s time to drill some holes.

To hang your shelves properly and make sure they are stable and safe, you should anchor the shelves to a wall stud. Wall studs are boards within your walls that provide structure within your home, supporting the walls. Studs are spaced 16” or 24” apart within your walls and drywall is mounted to the boards.

Because studs are wood or metal and provide strong support for the walls in your home, they are ideal to provide additional support for your shelves.

Use an electronic stud finder device to determine where the studs are in the wall and mark the location.

Position the brackets on the wall where you are hanging the shelves. If you can position the bracket to mount into the stud, that would be ideal. Mark the spot using a pencil. Measure the distance between the holes on your brackets and transfer the measurements to the wall.

If you are unable to mount your shelves into wall studs, you can use a drywall anchor instead. Drywall anchors provide some support when mounting into drywall directly.

Drill your holes and/or insert your wall anchors and mount your brackets to the wall with screws or fasteners provided with your shelves. Check to make sure everything is level and make adjustments if necessary.

Attach the Shelves to the Brackets

Now that you have marked the wall and mounted the brackets, it’s time to set the shelves in place. Position your shelves and check to be sure everything is still level.

For added stability, screw the shelves directly into the brackets, which usually come with predrilled holes for that purpose.

Use Your New Shelves

Now that you’ve learned how to install open bathroom shelves, enjoy them by adding some items for storage and even a little decoration too. Placing baskets on open shelves creates an attractive look allowing you to still hide items from sight.

Woodworker Express offers bathroom storage solutions and many other bathroom necessities, including bathroom hardware for sale to help you continue improving your bathroom.