Classic Kitchen Projects

by: Niall Barrett

Topics include: solid butternut, solid hemlock, satin spray lacquer, carrier jig, cherry plywood, polymerized tung oil, tabletop fasteners, dado blade, seasonal wood movement, your miter gauge, auxiliary fence, miter gauge set, solid cherry, leg blanks, apron pieces, mahogany plywood, bridle joints, biscuit joiner, solid ash, drawer dividers, brass screws, tray sides, solid walnut, band clamp, top partition

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Complete instructions for 17 distinctive projects What better place to display your work than everyone's favorite room in the house? The kitchen is the heart and soul of a modern house and the inspiration for these 17 projects. Each project is designed to enhance cooking enjoyment, make entertaining easier, provide more storage options -- even simplify cleanup chores. With basic woodworking tools and a few free hours, you'll be able to easily complete many of these projects. And for those with more time, Classic Kitchen Projects offers a number of challenging projects to refine your skills and make your family's kitchen a joy to use. Classic Kitchen Projects includes: * serving tray and lazy Susan * spice drawer/shelf * country pine table * spice and tea shelf * paper-towel holder and pinching towel rack * cutting board and knife rack

TOC: Introduction 1 Planning a Kitchen 2 French Rolling Pin 3 Cutting Board and Knife Rack 4 Adjustable Shelves 5 Wine Rack 6 Spice and Tea Shelf 7 Paper-Towel Holder and Pinching 8 Towel Rack 9 Dish-Drying Rack 10 Serving Tray and Lazy Susan 11 Hanging Pot Rack 12 Spice Drawer/Shelf 13 Folding Step Stool 14 Country Pine Table 15 Kitchen Island and Stool Metric Conversion Chart Resources Index

From the earliest open hearths to today's high-tech extravaganzas, the kitchen has always been the domestic center of any house. In fact, in colonial America, the kitchen often wasn't just the center of the house, it was the house: a single large room with a fireplace where people cooked, slept, and ate. Even when separate bedrooms and common rooms were added, the hub of the house remained the hearth, no doubt because it was the warmest room in winter. The kitchen is still where family and friends are most likely to gather. Modern living rooms often lie empty while the kitchen assumes the role of social gathering place. Everything -- from marriage proposals to a child's first steps -- is likely to take place in the kitchen, and (oh, yes) it is also where we cook and eat! The kitchen is a socially complace place to be sure, but it's also a physically complex one. A livable/workable kitchen must be ergonomically sensible, comfortable to work in, and visually pleasing. It's not surprising, then, that we place a great deal of importance on making this space as personally efficient and visually appealing as possible. Odds are that you are at least somewhat unsatisfied with your kitchen. Regardless of whether it is new or old, you may have found it lacking in some way. I'm not talking about anything major: Perhaps there are a few places that you can't reach comfortable, or there isn't enough counter space or not enough storage. Possibly it needs some organization or just a little dressing up. This book begins with some ideas on planning and/or choosing the projects you might want to build and why. Advice on scale and proportion is included, in case you have to adjust the size of a project to better fit your kitchen. It also points out other ways to customize your projects (for example, by choosing different woods for different projects) and offers some thoughts on finishing options. There's also a primer on the tools, techniques, and joinery used to build the projects. The 17 projects presented range from a simple rolling pin to a full-size kitchen island. Many of these projects can be completed in a weekend, allowing you the quick gratification that comes from successfully completing a project. Others will take longer and be more challenging, leading to even greater satisfaction. Regardless of the degree of difficulty, these projects are all attractive and useful and should be interesting and fun to build. Additionally, these projects are designed for a space that is central to everyone's life -- the kitchen -- which is arguably the most social and public space in your house. And what better gallery is there for you to display your work?

Reviews:

From Library Journal The kitchen is probably the most heavily used room of the house, so anything that will improve its appearance, organization, or usefulness is of great value. Barrett, a furniture designer and maker, offers 17 projects that are within the capabilities of most hobbyist woodworkers and have an attractive, timeless style that would make them appropriate in most kitchens. Projects include a French rolling pin, wine rack, paper-towel holder, table, hanging pot rack, and adjustable shelving. The step-by-step instructions are easy to follow and the illustrations clear, showing several views of each project. This title will prove popular with woodworkers of all skill levels and should be considered for all woodworking collections. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The step-by-step instructions, cutlists, and illustrations in this book make each project easy and fun. It features detailed instructions for 18 simple, attractive, useful kitchen projects that can be created by any woodworker, regardless of skill level. Included are: a French rolling pin, a cutting board and knife rack, a wine rack, a spice and tea shelf, a paper towel holder and pinching towel rack, a serving tray and lazy Susan, a hanging pot rack, a folding step stool, a farm table, and a sturdy stool. 128 color photos and 68 B&W illustrations are included. "Formal serving trays such as the one presented here carry an old-time air of luxury, service and a refined sense of convenience about them. These days most of us do our own serving, but the ritual remains the same and survives somewhat. Tasks such as carrying a pot of tea and cups to the living room or even clearing plates are made a lot easier." - from the book

SImply perfect, I bought Barrett's other book, Bookcases, from a bookstore, after paging through it. I found the bookcases really appealing. A wide range of designs, some that didn't appeal to me at all, but enough were right down my alley that I knew I'd make them. The drawings and photos were really clear, so i didn't worry about being left in the lurch halfway through the project with vague directions. When I saw Kitchen Projects, I bought it sight unseen because I knew Barrett would do a good job. He doesn't disappoint. There are some really good projects in here, more than in Bookcases: simple things with elegant lines. He doesn't seem to work in any one traditional style, but weaves together some Shaker, contemporary and a few traditional ideas. These are designs that fit anywhere solid wood is appropriate. He uses some plywood now and again, but you'd never know it looking at the finished object. And man does the guy have nice tools from what I can see in the photos. The projects look mostly simpler than the bookcases--and a lot more useful. I haven't had the chance to make anythin fromt eh book yet, but I already have a few lined up for my house and friends' birthdays. This book is a sure bet. Highly recommended!