Baraa Woodworking

Custom Cheery Cabinets

2011-03-04T13:30:00.000-08:00

Custom Cherry Cabinets with a unique feel and wonderful storage area help to make this new spec home feel comfortable from day one.

Colgate-Palmolive Chair

2011-02-23T21:52:00.000-08:00

No Really, the chair is called the Colgate Palmolive chair, #9101 (on the back plate). I found it on the street corner, covered in turquoise velvet and hair wrapped around the wheels. I recovered it, literally, with black leather and gave it a stunning curved maple back. This chair has been brought back to life and is better than original. Actually quite comfortable, good lumbar support. I hope to do more of these types of "found" projects.

Walnut Mirror Deux

2011-02-22T17:27:00.000-08:00

Walnut mirror, flat glass, roughly 12" x 12".

Ashfor bench

2011-02-22T17:18:00.000-08:00

Ash bench is 14" deepx 13 inches tall x 59" long. Long and low, makes it easy for multiple people to simultaneously put their shoes on.

"Gent's" Mirror

2011-02-22T17:08:00.000-08:00

"Gent's Mirror", Wenge, bevel edged 3/16" mirror glass--25 1/2"x 59" (roughly). Notice the taper which gives the mirror a sort of "broad shouldered" look.

Walnut Mirror un

2011-02-22T17:02:00.000-08:00

Walnut Mirror, grain matched, flat glass--roughly 30"x33" give or take and inch or two.

2011-02-22T10:01:00.000-08:00

What makes a good sander good? Most would presumably argue that it is the finish; that is, the absence or at least the diminution of swirly marks left from a sanding disk that sands in a spinning motion. When finish is applied, one hope to see bright, shining wood grain not dull, swirly streaks. So "a good sander minimizes swirls."

I disagree. . .

So what makes a sander good? Dust collection and cord length. And not dust collection as in "how much dust does it pick up?" But dust collection like, does the hose to my vacuum stay connected while sanding? Lately I have been using Porter Cable's new palm sander and Festool's RO 125 Eq dual mode sander. The Porter cable is light and easy to use with one hand. But the interface between the vacuum hose and sander is a pressure fit plastic coupling. Every one knows (look at me with the sweeping generality!) that pressure fittings do not work in the presence of vibration (duh, a sander!)! I was sanding yesterday, and time after time, the hose simply fell off, allowing the sander to blow its exhaust right into my face, thus defeating the point of dust collection. Also, its cord length is like 4 or 5 feet. Way too short to do anything but stand and sand something directly in front of you. Time and time again I was pulling my vacuum closer to allow the sander enough cord to get where I need to sand.

The Festool on the other hand has a super long cord. I almost don't need an extension cord when sanding large cabinets. And its dust collection is as secure as an iron chastity belt: that thing is not coming off no way.

Mind you, both the Porter Cable and the Festool sand decently, Festool more so than the PC. But $350 better? I don't think so. This is not me promoting you to "drink the green cool aid" and go out an buy Festool. I am just saying. . .

Creation and Imagination

2011-02-16T20:16:00.001-08:00

I have never written a blog post in my life. Literally, not a single word. So when my wife started this blog over five years ago as a way to showcase my work, I thought, "why not?" and, "Nice! A place to put some pictures. . . " I did not think, "Finally a place to think out loud for everyone to read" (which is what I am doing now). But as time wears on and wears me down, I think every so often that I would like to write something about woodworking, about creating something new, about my relationship to the craft and the need for patience, attentiveness, and integrity; write about what it feels like to draw a few pieces of cracked, rough lumber out of a stack of boards and form it into something that was hardly more than a thought a few days before; the satisfaction of knowing that, even if the thing is not original or unique--what really is anymore?--I created something that was from something that was not and someone's life is better for it, not the least of which is mine.

Perhaps this is the crux of the issue for me and the legacy of my business name: Baraa--To create, to draw order from something that is disordered, even chaotic and to set it on a course for enjoyment and appreciation (an oversimplification I am sure, but two years of Hebrew didn't get me very far in grad school). It seems to me that as I partake in the process of furniture building, I am exercising a basic part of my humanity--dare I say our humanity?--which is to create something, to utilize our god-given ability to enhance the world by the miracle of our imagination.

This is, of course, an idealization. Honestly, it is a rare moment when I stop and actually consider all that I do to create. Most of the time I am focused on getting the job done, getting the paycheck, getting the next job lined out, streamlining the labor process, buying the next tool that makes the job faster, easier, and better, weighing the profit margin or cursing after ruining a perfectly good and expensive saw blade. But every now and again I realize that what I do as a furniture builder and cabinet maker has substance and is meaningful because it comes from me and it demands my attention, it draws upon my imagination to see the 'what can be' in the 'what is not' and the world is better for it.

Another Warm Kitchen

2010-12-16T23:08:00.000-08:00

Hospitality Table

2010-05-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

Made of solid Sapele (from the African Mahogany family), lacquered on the top and rubbed with oil on the base, this wonderful table is a beautiful way to host any occasion. All mortise and tenon joinery with Asian and Greene & Greene styled influence, it would be a centerpiece for any meal (notice the corner detail below).

Putting Craftsmanship back into the Craftsman

2009-02-10T13:32:00.000-08:00

When young Bellingham, Wa professionals bought a beautiful bones Craftsman in the Columbia neighborhood, there was no way to know how much work would need to be done. At long last and with a lot of hard work, this couple completely renovated their home. With all new wiring, drywall, paint, refinished floors, exterior paint, remodeled bathroom, and welcoming front door, the only piece missing was a wonderful kitchen that would allow them to cook and entertain (as they so graciously do). When they approached Abraham, they had some specific designs they had in mind and he worked with them to incorporate those features into their new kitchen. All solid wood cabinets were a must along with self-closing drawer glides, antique drawer pulls, appliance caddy, custom vent hood, island with built in trash and microwave cabinets and floor to ceiling cabinets with glass inserts in the upper most areas. The final project exudes classic lines yet is still modern and user friendly boasting an open space that the couple can entertain and cook to their heart's content.

Splined to Perfection

2008-03-09T11:42:00.000-07:00

A long time coming, this Federal styled desk has been completed. With ebony splines and details, made primarily of Hickory and Red Elm, the desk boasts curved legs, an openable top and a floating style box. Hand cut dove-tails distinguish the desks' boxed top. Ebony plugs and splines add a Greene & Greene style detail and a contrast in the woods lovely grains.

The "cherry" puts these cabinets on top!

2007-10-29T11:19:00.002-07:00

This spec house needed a kitchen to WOW potential buyers. When Abraham was presented with the blue prints for this house, he knew that the kitchen needed to catch the eye of a potential buyer as well as boast quality, craftsmanship and solid construction. Features that this kitchen includes are: solid cherry, furniture grade cabinets with a clear finish; solid maple drawer boxes with mahagany splines; cabinets, doors and drawers designed and made all by Abraham; all cabinets are plywood boxes (no particle board); self-closing drawer glides; sink tip outs; and antiqued finish on bar.

Box with Bravado

2007-10-29T11:19:00.001-07:00

When commissioned by a local church to build a tithe box, Abraham knew that the project needed a simple look. A magnificent piece of mahogany was selected to build this box with leather lined interior and small keyhole front with mortised hinges. A clear oil was used to finish this box and bring out the mahogany's luster and wonderful rich colored grain.

Isle of Craftsmanship

2007-09-25T11:26:00.001-07:00

This lovely rolling island was created using solid maple. The top of the rolling island was a reclaimed butcher block top. The rest of the island was stained to match the color of the old maple top. Maple tends to darken over the years especially with exposure to sunlight. The end result was a beautifully crafted rolling island as the centerpiece of a newly remodeled kitchen. The customer was delighted with her new baking space.

Accommodations

2007-07-01T13:50:00.001-07:00

This piece was designed to fit over an oil heater that was a bit unsightly. The piece needed to incorporate ventilation and a lot of air flow to push the heat into the room. The picture on the left shows a small door that opens to access the controls for the heater. The bottom front panel is attached by inset magnets and can be removed to access the bottom of the heater.

Armoire-Style Entertainment Center

2007-07-01T13:50:00.000-07:00

This beautiful red oak entertainment center is stained with an English oak stain to mimick an antique finish. The armoir style entertainment center is extremely popular for people who don't like the look of a tv or other technology dominating the visual space of the home. The third photo down shows one of the door panels before being finished. The unique grain of the wood is really accentuated with the beautiful oil finish. Red glass pulls and antique stove legs finish the look of this custom piece of furniture.

Every Nook & Cranny Used

2007-06-30T19:02:00.001-07:00

These built-ins were added to the remodeled attic space of historic corner-store Nelson's Market in the York Neighborhood of Bellingham, Wa. These featured built-ins run the length of the wall and provide organized storage with file drawers and adjustable shelves.

Beautiful Built-Ins

2007-06-30T19:02:00.000-07:00

The above cabinets were created to fill an awkward space in a cute 1920's Craftsman in the Lettered Streets neighbhorhood of Bellingham, Wa. The cabinets are paint-grade poplar wood and finished with nice oil-rubbed bronze pulls. The built-in provided some organized storage and is easily reminiscent of early 20th century built-in cabinets.

Picture Frames

2007-06-17T20:15:00.002-07:00

The above pictures frames were all created for Bryce, Abraham's brother-in-law. Each frame was custom designed. Frames are made from Cherry, Maple (stained) and Oak respectively.

Custom Kitchen Summer 2006

2007-06-17T20:15:00.001-07:00

This beautiful kitchen was made from paint-grade Poplar and designed with Ilene's small kitchen in mind. The kitchen features a blind corner cabinet, apron front sink, depression-era glass pulls (replicas) and slide out drawers. It is suprising how much space this small kitchen has. Countertops are corian and floors are linoleum. Beadboard was used for the door panels and the backboard behind the countertops for texture as well.