Breathing New Life into Wood: From Antique Wardrobes to Hand-Turned Bowls
Not all woodworking is square. From upcycling a 1917 wardrobe into a vintage pantry to hand-turning bowls from salvaged wood, I love giving old pieces and fallen trees a new life.
When people think of cabinetry, they usually imagine squares and rectangles. But woodworking has always been more than just straight lines for me.
In this photo, you see an antique wardrobe originally built in 1917. I upcycled and refinished it, adding full-extension pullout shelves so it functions as an open-faced pantry or display piece with vintage charm. Its carved crest and flowing plants make it feel at home in both modern and traditional spaces.
The bowls on the shelves tell a different part of my story. Each one I turned by hand, often using wood from trees that were already coming down or that fell in a storm. Instead of being discarded, that wood gets a second life, transformed into something both useful and beautiful. Every bowl carries the memory of the tree, its grain guiding the curve of the form.
Where my cabinet work leans on clean lines and classical proportions, turning bowls lets me explore movement and flow. Instead of the golden ratio guiding a frame, the curve of a bowl is dictated by the natural sweep of the grain. I try to shape pieces so the form feels inevitable, as if the tree had always meant to reveal that contour. It’s a balance of restraint and expression—removing just enough material to let the wood speak without overpowering it.
It’s not just about building furniture—it’s about honoring the material, celebrating its quirks, and giving forgotten or fallen wood a new purpose.
Handcrafted Cherry Midcentury Modern Bed Frame – Custom Furniture
A handcrafted solid cherry midcentury modern bed frame, built with heirloom-quality craftsmanship and no plywood or veneer—just timeless design and hardwood beauty.
I recently finished building one of my favorite projects yet—a handcrafted solid cherry midcentury modern bed frame, designed and built right here in my one-man woodworking shop at Hearth & Grain Woodworks. This custom bed frame blends timeless craftsmanship with modern design, featuring tapered posts, golden ratio proportions, and a headboard made entirely from solid cherry. Unlike mass-produced furniture, there’s no plywood or artificial wood veneer anywhere—just heirloom-quality hardwood, carefully milled, shaped, and finished to highlight the natural character and figure of the grain.
There’s something deeply satisfying about taking rough hardwood boards and shaping them into a piece that will be part of someone’s home for decades. This solid cherry bed frame is one of those projects that reminded me why I love designing and creating custom furniture.
When I started, I spent hours selecting each board by hand—looking for the perfect figure, the warmest tones, and the most beautiful grain patterns. Cherry has so much character, from subtle waves to bold curly grain, and I wanted every part of this frame to show that off. The headboard is solid cherry—no plywood or veneer—because I believe in building furniture that’s meant to last.
Designing with Purpose
I’ve always been drawn to clean, timeless lines, so I designed the tapered posts using the golden ratio. It’s a subtle detail that most people won’t consciously notice, but it’s part of what makes the frame feel so balanced and natural. Every angle and curve has a purpose. I also added a beveled edge—not for showiness, but because it catches the light in a way that brings the wood to life, highlighting the depth and movement of the grain. These design choices are the small decisions that separate custom, handcrafted furniture from anything you’ll find mass-produced.
The Beauty of Cherry
Cherry changes over time, developing a rich patina that tells the story of its years in your home. On this bed, the curly grain shifts as you move around the room, and the hand-applied garnet-toned finish enhances every ripple and highlight. I don’t rush this step—the finish is built up carefully, layer by layer, to protect the wood and let its natural beauty shine.
Why I Build the Way I Do
When I design a piece like this, I’m not just building furniture—I’m creating something that will be part of your daily life. I want it to feel as good to use as it is to look at. That means solid hardwood construction, traditional joinery, and careful attention to every proportion and curve.
For me, custom furniture is about more than making something that fits a space. It’s about making something that fits a life. Whether I’m building a bed frame, custom cabinets, a set of built-ins, or a single statement piece, my goal is always the same: to create something beautiful, functional, and truly yours.
If you’re looking for handcrafted solid wood furniture—whether midcentury modern, contemporary, or traditional—I’d love to hear your ideas. Every project starts with a conversation, and I can’t wait to design something that’s just right for you.