Built-In Bookshelf
Client Commission, 2026
Client's ChatGPT Rendering of Intended Design
Finished Design
Design
I modeled the design in Rhino3D and used Adobe InDesign to create detailed cut lists for each sheet of plywood.
Building
As a Brooklyn-based woodworker, space was my primary struggle. I rented a storage unit and each day loaded up my platform cart with the necessary pieces and pushed it to my communal woodshop, returning the pieces at the end of day.
Eventually, I upgraded to the woodshop at my uncle's farm, where I finished assembly and applied primer and one coat of paint.
Since turnaround time was so tight, I purchased a hard maple butcher block, and finished it with stain, clear polyurethane, and wax, buffing between coats.
Installation
After loading in the individual pieces, we began installation with the 3" toe kick and standing cabinets, followed by the mounted shelves.
I then glued on strips of 1/8" ply as edge banding, filled gaps, and painted the final coat.
My favorite part about woodworking is the community of resources I can access for new and better perspectives. I am so grateful for all the people who assisted on this project and for all the time I get to spend picking the minds of such talented individuals. Because of their assistance, this project was much more successful and a lot more fun.
Big thanks to:
Kim Miller
Christopher Moore
Aubrey Weeks
Blaise Gaston
Jennifer Cramer-Miller
Before Installation
Finished Shelves
Murphy Bookshelf
Personal Project, 2024
Piano Desk
Personal Project, 2025
