The Kitchen Stools

The Kitchen Stools

I've managed to find White Ash wood at the local supplier. White Ash is as good looking as Oak, but not as expensive. I found it much easier to work with than Oak. The cost of the wood for three stools was less than one stool in the shop.

I scanned through the Google SketchUp 3D Warehouse and found a stool design, by David K., idea that will not be to complicated to build, yet still attractive.

I've tried making the mortises using only my router's guide, but the progress was slow and accurasy was not up to standard. So I spend some time creating jigs.  

...and the results were much more accurate and faster to complete.

The tenons was a bit more of a challenge,  but worth the effort.

By added a bit of wood stain I've managed to get a close oak look alike finished product. 

Stool one completed. Two more to build.

More table space in the kitchen

More table space in the kitchen

As the kids get older, we've realised that we need more space in the kitchen. Especially table space, because the kids would like to help mom in the kitchen and need their own area. While we were at it, we've also decided to add a breakfast bar.

I've used Google SketchUp to design two kitchen cupboards with a tabletop to cover them both and an added overhang for the breakfast bar. Below is the design without the doors, which is available in the Google SketchUp 3D Warehouse under "Kitchen cupboard and breakfast bar" . The doors are still a riddle to be dealt with. Will I still get the same design doors as the rest of the kitchen? 

So here we go. Brought my boards from the local TimberCity and started cutting to size. It is always a bit of a struggle to deal with the initial boards when you are alone, but I've learned to cut them into smaller pieces, a bit bigger than the actual required size, and then cut them to size on the table saw. A bit of a waist, but yeh... 

Putting it all together...

...and moving it to the kitchen.

The next step is to get a top for this new cupboard. We've decided to go for the granite tops. This took some careful planning and measuring and remeasuring, because if I get this wrong it is going to cost. My biggest concern was to make sure that everything is 100% level before the top arrives. 

After four days the top arrived, cut on size, and it fit perfectly.

I've been phoning everyone that could possibly supply me with the same cupboard doors as the current doors in the kitchen, but with no luck. It appears that they are out of design, but one dealer gave me a great tip. It will not look exactly the same, but at least I will be covered for the rest of my kitchen life. He said I should cut the doors slightly smaller and then add solid wood edging. 

I first tried with white ash wood, but the colour was off. I found oak wood edging in town and it looked perfect. 

 All breakfast bars need stools. The wife and me when on a stool hunt, but they all look like something that belongs on the Star Trek Enterprise. After two days of searching, I've decided to rather search for proper wood and make them myself. Will this project ever end :-)