Entry Closet Project #5: OH, Baby It's Hot!

Todd,
I never thought I would be saying ‘WOW.. Look at that closet!’. But apparently the time has come.. That is an amazingly beautiful piece of art. I love the design and the contrasting woods. What did you use, walnut/?

-- Jamie, Kentucky

The term “closet” really is a bit demeaning to this particular project. The clients call it a work of art so we had to get some gallery style lighting on it.

The burgundy colored section is bamboo veneer. The brighter red is maple pommelle veneer.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Todd, please ignore my question in the above post… That’s what I get for not looking through the entire blog.. :)

It’s still beautiful..

-- Jamie, Kentucky

Great Job Todd. A fantastic piece of art that covers a closet.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

Really like the lights and handles. It just keeps getting better.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

Todd what type of dye did you use?Transtint?

-- Scott NM,http://www.shangrilawoodworks.com

Scott, I used Sherwin Williams dye concentrate which is an aniline dye like Transtint. It comes in a quart bottle for about $90 which is cheaper than $15 for 2 oz of Transtint from Woodcraft or Rockler.

Jim Eyster’s Website is under construction but here is the link. I am not sure how much he has done.
http://jimeyster.com/index.htm

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Here is a couple shots of the dye product from Sherwin.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Thanks for the pictures.One of these days I will get brave enough to try dyeing a figured piece of wood.I wonder if the Transtint since it is supposed to be a “metalic dye” if it gives anymore of a “pop”

-- Scott NM,http://www.shangrilawoodworks.com

Scott, I have played with the Transtint dye but I can’t really tell any difference. The biggest difference is each company’s interpretation of red. Black is black. I like the SW red, incredibly vibrant.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Hay Todd.
I build all of my closets out of MDF. It would have saved you a bunch of time and money.

That one is awe inspiring! Hurry Home.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

I did use a good bit of MDF in the doors. I used plywood for the cabinet box because I hate handling MDF. I was able to get birch plywood in a 5’ x 10’ sheet. The ceiling has a 9’ height here. The box weighed a ton. The shelves are not movable so I had to handle it with all the weight.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Todd -

Outstanding blog entry! Thanks for all the great details and resources.

It is amazing how much the lighting adds! Absolutely beautiful! The Coopers are very lucky to have you on site!

David

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

As you say Todd “WoW”. That is outstanding.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

Man, oh man, that is fine! You do good work sir.

-- Maplewood, MN

That is not just a closet…it’s a work of art! The new lighting arrangement really accents all the fine work you have done with this piece. The mirrors really help it disappear from the side view when you are entering the house but then when you come around to face it , you really get blown away! Fantastic work!

-- Women love me.....trees fear me

I just keep shaking my head… absolutely stunning

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Todd-

That “closet” looks great. Are the veneers you use the “new age” veneers? I have seen some that had that same type of figure pattern. I’ve often thought about using some of those but never really knew anyone that had. If they are how did they work? Are they like your tyical regular wood veneers? Once again sweet work.

-- Kaleo , http://www.kaleosworkshop.com

Really amazing, Todd. Great blog!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

It’s comin’ together nicely Todd! You know, it’s a major “pat-on-the-back” when your client goes to the expense of changing the lighting to further hilite your work! Can’t wait to se the finished project. Do us a favor though and include an interior shot as well.

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

ive taken great pleasure in following this project . calling this a closet is like calling a ferrari a vehicle . aside from the outstanding craftsmanship and even more outstanding artistic value , something i take away from this is how very rare and special it is when a great american craftsman and a great client find each other . youve done an awsome job and great blog . ive had a visual on this copper handle and im on the edge of my seat !
thanks for spending your time on this blog

Be Proud… That’s some beautiful piece. I love the curve and contrast. The new lights make such a huge difference. What type of veneer is that your staining? Redwood? ? I can’t wait to see more photo’s. I’m interested in the black borders, what is that you used? Stain Dye wax ? I’m looking to get an Ebony look with out Buying 500 dollars worth of Ebony. Any tips? I want A highly polished but not gloss finish. Took a course in faux finish, and painted wood grains, but i like to hear ideas from here. What finish did you use on this piece? I’m gonna check out the Sherwin Dye’s They look GOOD. How do you like working w/ them ? Keep up the proud work, keep taking photo’s I think this is all very inspiring, I’m so happy to have found this site and grateful for your advice. Good folks Good Art… Patrick.

-- PJM.`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸ ><((((º> why's there a light in fridge and not the freezer? , aka, the wood hunter.aka tigermaple5

This is an amazing project Todd. Love the colors and shapes. Amazing!

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne

The handles will have a brushed copper finish.

Here are some pics of the interior.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

EXCEPTIONAL work here! The colors and shapes are just wonderful.

-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""

Todd,
You’re still at the top of your game! Cooper House is one of those projects that design folks will study in the future. Mark my words…

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

I might have historical significance?

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Peace, Love, Woodworking and a slice of history on the side.
Heck, the Greene’s didn’t have LJs to document the Gamble and Blacker house builds…

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

I spend more time blogging on LJ than updating my website. It is like homework I just don’t want to do until the last minute. I gotta get on that, but it shows how LJ rates in my book because you get everything first!

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Oh yeah! Hey, thanx for the interior shots too! Looks great.

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

Todd, all I can say is beautiful!!! I like the way you took on every step of this project like you had did it a thousand times and with no hesitations.

-- " All Things At First Appear Difficult"

Stunning.

-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.

That is really amazing work, Todd.

-- Making sawdust is what I do best

Amazing, Todd!

-- Check out my new website! http://www.theeasellife.com