Cabinet making is a trade that takes years to master, but that doesn’t mean you can’t build a cabinet unless you’ve had years of experience… with good instruction, the right tools and processes, and patience you CAN build your own cabinets. There are lots of ways to build cabinets, and a variety of tools and materials you can use to get the job done. This is the process we use and it has served us well. Get Organized ~ Tools & Materials The right tools for the job are important, but they don’t need to be the best tools and to build basic cabinets you don’t need a whole shop full of them. Here’s a list of the tools you should have to build your own basic cabinets. Tools Materials Make a Plan ~ Design & Cut-List A good build starts with a good design and a good plan. There needs to be an order of operations and design comes first. You have know what your building and what it’s going to look like when your done to be successful in cabinet … [Read more...] about On Building Cabinets
Custom Bookshelves & File Cabinets
These custom file cabinets and bookshelves were designed, built, finished and installed by JEM Carpentry in Loveland, CO. September 2022. Round Two… Knotty Alder bookshelves with painted Maple file cabinets & radius valance piece. … [Read more...] about Custom Bookshelves & File Cabinets
Custom Mantle in Walnut
This custom mantle was built from mill-sawn 4/4 walnut boards, sourced through our local supplier, and surfaced in our shop. I love to use rough lumber from the mill as you never know quite how each piece will look until it is surfaced down to S4S lumber. This batch included some really great pieces of wood with lots of character! The finish coat is a resin-modified tung oil over bare walnut sanded to 220 grit. … [Read more...] about Custom Mantle in Walnut
Custom Coffee Bar
Designed, Built, Finished, & Expertly Installed By JEM Carpentry Inc … [Read more...] about Custom Coffee Bar
White Oak Mantle & Custom Cabinetry
Designed, Built, Finished & Expertly Installed By JEM Carpentry Inc Now taking orders for custom cabinetry projects for spring and summer 2022 ~ Contact us to start the process of turning your vision into reality! This existing home in Erie Colorado was updated with a new white oak mantle, cabinetry and shelving and two paint grade feature walls. We built the cabinets in the shop and the rest was built and finished on site. This project was 2 weeks from starting the cabinet build in the shop, to having our part of this fireplace remodel completed. … [Read more...] about White Oak Mantle & Custom Cabinetry
Custom Cabinetry & Floating Shelves
Designed, Built, Finished & Expertly Installed By JEM Carpentry Inc We can design, build and ship custom cabinet systems anywhere in the world (for the most part) To begin designing new custom cabinets for your home or office click Here … [Read more...] about Custom Cabinetry & Floating Shelves
Custom Handrails And Staircases
Custom Handrails by JEM Carpentry ~ We build, remodel and renovate handrails & staircases of all shapes, sizes and designs. Talk with a staircase and handrail expert on the JEM team, click here to fill out the contact form! —————————————————————— —————————————————————— —————————————————————— Hemlock Newel Posts, Cap and Rail. Builder ~ Erdkamp Design Build, Fort Collins, CO. Custom maple handrail with tapered radius newel posts and 1 3/4” D-rail. Finished with a natural stain and satin water based polyurethane. ~ Fort Collins CO, February 2023 … [Read more...] about Custom Handrails And Staircases
Walnut Mantle with Custom Heat Shield
We fabricate and sell custom heat shields for existing mantles and fireplace shelves. We can also design & build custom mantles and above fireplace shelving. For more information and to place an online order click Here The walnut mantle with custom heat shield was a project for a customer we have done multiple projects for. The homeowners were having an issue with the heat rising off of the gas fireplace and overheating their Sonos sound bar. They wanted a sleek minimalist look, functional, and they wanted it to contrast with the white oak floating shelves we built for them in the adjacent alcove. This is what we came up with and it was definitely a winner! For the heat shield we cut a piece of steel and bent it at a slight angle about one inch from the end; this is to deflect the heat away from the mantle. Then we cut one inch steel tube into one inch standoffs, coated the metal with a high temp paint and attached it to the bottom with screws countersunk into the … [Read more...] about Walnut Mantle with Custom Heat Shield
Custom Interior Trim/ Carter Lake Cottage, Berthoud, CO ~ Rustic & Refined
We offer custom interior trim & cabinet packages/systems; design and install services also available. Talk with a interior trim & cabinet expert at JEM Carpentry about your next residential or commercial project by clicking Here and submitting an inquiry form. This Serenity Homes project at Carter Lake in Berthoud, CO. was a lot of fun and a incredible learning experience. Our scope of work included installing the stain grade trim package, i.e, doors, case, baseboard, window sills, and closet shelving, installing the pine T&G ceiling and box beams, building a custom bench seat with flip up lid and laundry chute for the master bedroom, wainscoting detail in the bathroom and installing all the cabinets. … [Read more...] about Custom Interior Trim/ Carter Lake Cottage, Berthoud, CO ~ Rustic & Refined
Tongue and Groove Ceiling & Box Beams
We can design, build & ship box beams and beam wrap kits anywhere in the world (for the most part). Design and install services are also available locally in Northern Colorado. Talk with a millwork expert at JEM Carpentry about your next ceiling beam project - Click Here to Fill Out An Inquiry Form Today! This ceiling and box beam build was a fun project! We started with 16' lengths of 1' x 6' Pine, constructing U beams and L beams with wood biscuits, pocket screws, and glue. Lot's of sanding followed - 3 grits of sandpaper down to 220 for a very smooth finish. We installed the beams to cleats glued and nailed to the ceiling. Click Here to Contact JEM Carpentry about your next project! … [Read more...] about Tongue and Groove Ceiling & Box Beams
How To Build Kitchen Bench Seating with Storage
We can design, build and ship custom banquet seating systems anywhere in the world. To talk with someone from the JEM team about your project, Click Here and submit an inquiry form! We designed, built, and installed this kitchen bench seating with underneath storage. Our customers have a big family that spends a lot of time together and wanted an area where everyone can relax and eat together. Before You Begin Select each 2x4, being mindful of warps, bows, crowns, and any other damage. Starting with nice, straight lumber will help the project run smoothly! Framing The Bench Begin by making a cut list - an organized list of all the individual pieces needed to assemble the frame. Cut all of the pieces, then find a flat surface and assemble them using either a framing nailer or a drill and driver. When screwing the frame together, I suggest using 2 1/2” #9 screws and a countersink bit for pre-drill. Every 90-degree corner gets a square put on it, before and after … [Read more...] about How To Build Kitchen Bench Seating with Storage
Custom Cabinets
We can design, build, finish (or not) and ship ~ custom cabinet systems & cabinet parts worldwide! To begin designing new custom cabinets for your home or office Click Here to submit an inquiry form. At JEM Carpentry we build and fit our own custom cabinets as well as fit cabinets made by other manufacturers. The photos below are a mixture of both our custom cabinets and cabinets made by others that we fitted. … [Read more...] about Custom Cabinets
Reclaimed & Refined
At JEM Carpentry Inc we are passionate and excited about reducing the crazy amount of construction waste that is put into our landfills every year. Whenever there is an opportunity to reclaim and/or re-use, we take it; and we try to make it cool. Inquire with The JEM Design Team team to collaborate on your reclaimed project! … [Read more...] about Reclaimed & Refined
Floating Shelves & Custom Shelving
We can design, build and ship custom shelving systems anywhere in the world (for the most part) To begin designing your custom shelving and place an online order click Here Shelving is awesome! There are countless types and styles of shelving; utilitarian closet shelving, custom built-in shelving units, floating shelves and stand-a-lone shelves, are a few examples. We approach every shelving project with the same level of thought, attention to detail, and high level of execution. Connect with us through the "contact form" on our website and let us help you bring your shelving vision to life! These alder radius trim pieces were made using a long trammel to layout the correct curve and then cut out with a jig saw and belt sanded smooth. The floating shelves are descending which allows the can lights behind the radius trim to cascade down the shelves. To determine the correct radius, I used a formula I found in an old carpentry book I purchased on Amazon. … [Read more...] about Floating Shelves & Custom Shelving
Custom Deck by JEM Carpentry
We started this custom deck project in the beginning of January 2023. We dug 3’ deep holes and pored the concrete piers first. Then we framed the deck in sections and got it leveled over the piers. Next we installed the posts and joists followed by the decking, stairs and finally the cable railing! It was a challenging job and we are very proud of how it turned out. Contact JEM Carpentry to begin designing your dream deck or other outdoor living projects! Click Here! … [Read more...] about Custom Deck by JEM Carpentry
Custom Dry Bar
Designed, built and installed by JEM Carpentry in Loveland, CO. December 2022 Our Customers had a great vision of what they wanted the custom dry bar in their new home in Loveland, CO to look like. This design started as a sketch drawn by the customer and evolved into the beautiful custom space shown above! We sure are proud of this one. … [Read more...] about Custom Dry Bar
Custom Feature Wall
Design/Build This grid-style feature wall was designed, built, and installed by JEM Carpentry in Fort Collins, Colorado.. Our customers wanted to add some interior design elements to their new home and called us to help bring their ideas to life! This space in the kitchen/dining area is perfect for a feature wall like this one! Feature walls are a great design element and are relatively simple to build. The first step to any successful construction endeavor is a thoughtful and intentional design. Below is the scaled drawing for this project created by our designer, Jane Kincaid. Having a visual representation of what we are building is crucial to making sure everything comes out just right. … [Read more...] about Custom Feature Wall
How To Install A Door
Installing doors is almost a trade unto itself, as there are many different types and styles of interior doors. In this article, we will be discussing how to install a pre-hung, interior door, which closes into a jam and against the stop. Make Sure You Have The Right Door You need to have the correct door! Pre-built doors usually come in sizes ranging from 24” (2’-0”) up to 36” (3’-0”), are either right-handed or left-handed and usually come pre-hung on a jam. The measurement of the door is the measurement of the slab, also called a panel, and does not include the jam. So the rough opening (RO) for a 2-8 or (32”) door, will be about 2” wider than the slab, or 34”. This extra space is to accommodate the jam legs and any shims needed (more on shims later). Once you have determined that you have the correct size door for the opening, you need to figure out which way the door will swing. Standing in front of a door, as if to walk through the opening, does the door swing left … [Read more...] about How To Install A Door
The Coffee Shop
This was a really fun job! Jamoka Joe's Coffee Shop in Loveland, CO is my favorite local coffee shop and we were really excited to become a part of the building and business's history! The business owner wanted to incorporate blue stain beetle-kill pine into the project, so we chose to build the menu board and window pass-through shelves with locally sourced blue stain pine from the Drake Sawmill. As this was an exterior project, we used a spar urethane as a finish for the menu board and shelves. This durable finish is designed to protect the wood from the elements and can be reapplied as needed. The #BigArrow The #BigArrow was conceived, designed, and executed by the JEM Carpentry team. It is a 26' long Alaskan Yellow Cedar glulam, which we cut to look like an arrow that points to the direction of traffic for the drive-through. We coated it with an exterior oil-based sealer and installed it using custom bent u-bolts and wood plugs for a no-fastener, custom … [Read more...] about The Coffee Shop
The Wood Shop
The latest and greatest projects coming out of the JEM Wood Shop. Custom Vanity in Baltic Birch & Maple This custom vanity was designed and built by the JEM team for a customer in Estes Park, CO. We used 3/4” Baltic Birch plywood for the entire box and drawers and Maple for the shaker doors and face frame. The paint was chosen by the homeowner. Snap Shots from the JEM Wood Shop Floating shelf clamp up. … [Read more...] about The Wood Shop
Building Box Mantels and Floating Shelves
Floating shelves and box mantles are popular items that are commonly requested by customers. Many newer homes have existing drywall alcoves with no shelving and a basic mantle, or no mantel at all above the fireplace. Box mantels and floating shelves can dress up a space and add real estate value. They can be finished with either paint or stain. Material Selection and Tools A great product always starts with great material! It's more difficult to make something nice out of material that is warped, bowed, or defected in some way. With the exception of reclaimed projects, which we will approach differently, we hand-pick the pieces of lumber we will be using to build each project. For this project, the customer had requested Pine. We were able to find very straight, nice 8' lengths of #2 Pine at our local lumber store, and this was a great start to the box mantel and floating shelf project! Tools, Processes & Systems Once the material is back at the shop, it's time … [Read more...] about Building Box Mantels and Floating Shelves
Concept Sketches/ Shop Drawings
Recent concept sketches/ shop drawings … [Read more...] about Concept Sketches/ Shop Drawings
Loveland, CO Remodel/ Doors & Trim
Kitchen reface/refinish
All finished! … [Read more...] about Kitchen reface/refinish
Lakewood, CO Remodel
Moldings
Moldings come in all shapes, sizes and styles. From base molding and door casing, to chair rail and crown molding, there are even custom moldings that craftsmen will sometimes create on site to match existing trim in old homes. Just like there are many different types of moldings, there are also many ways to cut and install them. A good lesson in cutting moldings is making sure the way you are cutting it, is the way it will be applied. For example, when I cut crown molding it is easiest for me to "nest" it on the saw, in the position it will sit on the wall or cabinet. You can cut complex moldings like crown molding flat on the saw, but it requires a compound miter cut, and if you are shooting for perfection there is a bit of math involved, which for me equates to increased possibility of mistakes and mis-cuts! … [Read more...] about Moldings
