These are “sketches” of a cabinet upgrade. This existing deep cabinet will get glass doors and translucent glass back so that light from the stairwell skylight behind the cabinet will light up the glassware and shine through into the dining room. I’ll post a photo when its built.
Archive for the ‘Design Projects’ Category
Improving a Cabinet
Posted in Design Projects, tagged Berkeley, cabinets, holes, interiors, natural light, process on April 6, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Replacing a Huge Deck with a Small Deck and a Big Yard in Oakland
Posted in Design Projects, tagged deck, landscape, Oakland, small buildings, value on March 10, 2012| 1 Comment »
This was a collaboration with Matt Hornby Garden Design and Construction.
It wasn’t hard to improve upon the existing decks and yard, but the budget was a challenge.
These are before photos of the deck and yard:
So the idea was to make the upper deck just big enough for a couple to sit and enjoy the evening, and to make a nice big lower level deck. the structure supporting the upper deck and the upper deck itself will help to create zones for different sorts of outdoor living. There is also a patio and a lot of garden that doesn’t appear in the sketch model.

railing sketch

The middle post is actually not connected to the deck. It is for a pergola that will attach to the deck.
Now I’ll have to go back and visit to get some more photos of the finished project.
Construction Progress in Berkeley
Posted in Design Projects on March 1, 2012| Leave a Comment »
I visited two jobsites yesterday. The first is this project, a small landscape office and toolshed for my friend Matt Hornby, landscape architect and stone mason. He has poured the foundation slabs and will soon be ready to frame the walls and roofs:
The second is a remodel in the Berkeley hills – A master bedroom, bathroom, and office in a mid century home.
We added a skylight over the stairs. We will be opening up the stairwell to the upper level, so the light will permeate several rooms as well as bringing light to the lower level.
A Very Basic Addition for Two Teachers and Their Two Kids in Richmond
Posted in Design Projects, tagged fibercement, houses, passive solar, Richmond, value on February 15, 2012| 2 Comments »
Sometimes the job calls for a very simple addition – bedroom, bathroom, laundry room, and family room all in less than 500 SF, plus a new deck on the south side. and energy efficiency upgrades throughout.
The roofline dictated the easiest place for the addition and the owners preferred a small master bedroom and a small study/ family room rather than a large bedroom. Adding a deck to the south off the kitchen and dining room seemed like an obvious way to fill in the corner (facing due south.) The fact that it has walls on two sides adds a bit of shelter from the wind.


The owners selected locally crafted light fixtures from Metro Lighting on San Pablo and many LED lights for the project.
Canivet Construction built the project on time and on budget (about 230/SF plus fixtures that the owner bought themselves.)
Painted Poplar Treasure Chest Underway
Posted in Design Projects, tagged box, boxes, color, ensign, furniture, paint, patterns, poplar on February 11, 2012| 2 Comments »
This prototype is solid 1.125″ thick poplar. It also has box joint corners and a piano hinge.
I am using my old artist oils for this decorative paint job. I went to the art store for a new paintbrush and noticed that they now sell “water- mixable” oil paints. I am curious how those work.
Painted Treasure Chest
Posted in Design Projects, tagged boxes, furniture, process on February 9, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Rainscreen Siding and Serious Windows
Posted in Design Projects, tagged Fairfax, fiberglass windows, windows, wood siding on February 8, 2012| Leave a Comment »
My clients in Fairfax are close to buttoning up the exterior of their addition. Pictured here are Serious Materials 725 Series fiberglass windows (well above average R-value for a window: R-6-R-7, depending on the type.) and wood siding over Homeslicker plus Typar to create a drainage plane behind the siding.
Several Nice Railing Details
Posted in Design Projects, Found Objects, tagged botanical cutouts, cedar, copper pipe, deck railings, decks, guards, historical styles, holes, paint, painted wood, porch railings, railing, railings, redwood on February 1, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Pewabic Tiles from Detroit
Posted in Design Projects, tagged Detroit, furniture, Pewabic Pottery, tile on January 23, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Bamboo Sides, Richlite Top, Mahogany Bottom, Poplar Feet & Piano Hinge
Posted in Design Projects, tagged boxes, continuous hinge, furniture, modern, salvaged, utilitarian on January 21, 2012| 5 Comments »
I just finished prototype treasure chest #2, using up more of my wood shop scraps.
It has a heavy Richlite lid and a piano hinge
Perfect for storing gold bullion or underwear and socks.







































