Built-ins

Plywood and sheet goods for the woodworker

February 25, 2022

Veterans of a professional cabinetry shop give a rundown of 11 different sheet-good products, from plywood to MDF and everything in between.

A great referral is golden (as is a disastrous “before” picture)

December 16, 2021

Sometimes, even the most good-faith recommendation goes astray.

The story behind the project: cypress plate rack

November 19, 2021

Nancy Hiller shares the backstory of her next FW project; going back to her first professional job as a woodworker in 1980.

Why I fit kitchen cabinet doors and drawers on site

May 13, 2021

It's a surefire way to get a perfect fit without breaking your back.

Designing built-ins for installation during a pandemic

December 10, 2020

You can have thoughtful details and an elegant fit, and STILL keep everyone safe.

How I bid a small job

September 22, 2020

Just because a job is small and affordable, that doesn't mean it can't be beautiful and last a lifetime

How to build hanging shelves with integrated lighting, Part 2: Installation

September 9, 2020

Shelves like these require careful planning and measuring, then measuring again, then testing your measurements, then testing again.

How to build hanging shelves with integrated lighting-part 1

July 8, 2020

Working on a project that involves opening up the wall between the kitchen and living room while keeping each one a distinct space, Nancy Hiller creates suspended shelves which act as a subtle divider.

On a Job Site, Improvisation Is the Name of the Game

December 11, 2019

If working on site has taught Nancy Hiller anything, it's how to think outside the box in order to get the job done.

Loose-pin butt hinges: a little play may be better than none

July 10, 2019

I’m working on a set of built-in cabinets in cherry for a late 1920s house in one of our town’s loveliest historic districts. There are two cabinets flanking a large…