Remodeling Gallery

Research:
NHA provides design research reviewing similar functioning pieces for design, style, size, finish and materials used. We utilize books, design and trade magazines, and internet searches. All of this information is then presented in a sketch or drawing for the client to review. We have 25 years of furniture building experience behind us and are constantly updating our knowledge base through books, trade magazines, internet web sites and forums.

Wood Conditioning and Selection:
Lumber materials are allowed to acclimate in our shop for at least two weeks or until the moisture content of 6-8% is achieved, prior to the start of construction. This is a time tested way of reducing excess seasonal movement after the item is delivered to a customers’ home or office. Additionally we will rough cut components and allow them to further acclimate and adjust prior to final dimensioning. As an example, a piece of solid wood that displays large curving grain would not be used to make the vertical components of a door frame. These pieces are utilized to fabricate horizontal (Rails) parts. Vertical components are made of tight and straight grained wood known as ‘quarter sawn’ lumber. This type of lumber is utilized for the vertical components (Stiles) of a door frame and panels, due to its ability to move less, during seasonal changes.

Finish Process:

Finishing the wood prior to the application of color or finish, involves careful scraping, then multiple grit sanding of the woods surface. The idea is to gradually reduce the size of the scratch patterns left by the previous grits of sandpaper. When required exceptional clarity of the wood grain can only be achieved by hand planning and scraping the wood's surface. Coloring or staining of woods is accomplished with either aniline dies or water/oil based pigment stains. Even woods such as cherry, oak and mahogany may require a stain or adjustment in color to highlight or subdue the grain. This staining process may require multiple coats of various colors to achieve the desired affect. Final protective finishes such as shellac (traditional finish, easy to repair, mixed fresh with every job), oil or water based polyurethane and lacquer (for areas of high traffic or water contact) are hand applied by bush or pad in multiple layers. The finish is then cured for at least 72 hours prior to sanding and then rubbing out with a variety of abrasive products to archive the final sheen. NHA can even provide “French Polish” an “Old World” form of hand (rubbed) applied shellac and oil that is applied in as many as 8-15 layers or applications. This process is extremely labor intensive, but the final finish is glass smooth and exceptionally luxurious.

Remodeling Gallery

If it's remodeling you need we also provide services such as installation of wood trim mouldings for ceilings, doors, and windows; custom fireplace surrounds, built-ins and wall units, and furniture refinishing. Following is a small sample of the remodeling projects we have completed.

	Brazilian-Rosewood Display Case/Room Divider *Features:* The cabinet was made of customer supplied Brazilian-rosewood covered MDF panels. The cabinet serves as a display case and room divider. The back side (kitchen side) hides the Sub-Zero refrigerator. Black Walnut edged all exposed edges and shelves. Click here to see the whole project including a custom light valance and custom wainscot and handrails
	Curved Staircase Wainscot and Crown Moldings *Features:* All raised panel and curved elements are made of a bendable resin material Click here to see the whole project including enlarged images
	Poplar Coffered Ceiling This project consisted of a light weight beam system utilizing stock moldings and nominal sized poplar. All components were pre-built and pre-coped on a 5’-0” x 5’-0” grid in our shop. The nine coffers were disassembled and installed in the customers’ house.
	Kitchen Remodel At the customer’s request, a new kitchen was built that maintained the old, comfortable feel. Click here to see the whole project
	Poplar Display/Storage Cabinet The primary function of this cabinet was to store the owner’s collection of hats. The cabinet was built of birch plywood and poplar face frames and doors. The upper unit contains adjustable shelves and the lower unit has full extension drawers mounted on adjustable standards to allow the varied positioning of the drawers. All surfaces were finished with primer and two coats BM satin Impervo latex paint.
	Custom Fireplace mantel to cover existing granite shelf 22” tall *Features:* Solid poplar and birch plywood construction w/dental and crown moulding. Multi layered die and gel stain w/satin polyurethane finish to match existing brackets, recessed curved panel and carved finials. All edges scribed to match existing stone face
	Custom fascia panels and doors *Features:* Conversion of existing open bookcases. Solid maple doors with mortise/tenon doors and divided light grill. Fascia panels of ½” maple plywood died to match existing cabinets with moulding to contain owner supplied travertine tiles.
	Custom bent laminated pass-through jambs and segmented casings with applied beaded edge of solid polar. “Altamare “3 ½’ crown moldings.
	Painted poplar and birch plywood fireplace mantel
Arts & Crafts influenced cherry wall unit with desk. This was a custom unit designed and built on site. *Features*: The unit is made of solid cherry face frames, solid doors, a custom made crown moldings, birch plywood and cherry plywood cases and desk. Birch plywood finished in MiniWax “Midnight Blue” stain over white primer on all case side-panels with shellac finish. Solid cherry finished with boiled linseed oil, followed by multiple coats of shellac.	*Additional features:* Desk contains hidden compartments; pull out CPU storage, 2-drawer file cabinet, keyboard trays, pullout writing board and pencil drawer.	*Additional features:* Cherry framed glass shelves to allow light to pass into all parts of the cabinet. Doors pegged with domed square “Marado” pegs, additional details of Marado and Maple throughout. Stikley reproduction copper hardware used for all hinges pulls and knobs. Doors feature red and blue colored water glass squares.
	(at left) Custom wine rack/bookcase made from excess refrigerator panels after kitchen remodeling. (at right) Custom bookcase made from excess refrigerator panels and doors with new quilted maple top.
White painted bookcase with storage below. *Features:* Hand made bead board, beaded face frames and doors, Euro-hinges, adjustable shelves	Painted Poplar fireplace mantel and bookcase cabinets. *Features:* Fluted columns, flat panels with beaded detail on stiles and rails	Close-up of fireplace mantel details between columns and bookcase elevations.
	Custom Wall unit and window seat with storage. Features: Painted bookcase with storage below, fluted columns, adjustable shelves, curved beaded arch, and full storage below window seat.