African Mahogany Desk

I recently built this solid African Mahogany desk for my Brother in-law.  I started with 88 board feet of rough sawn African Mahogany (Khaya) and ended up with a beautiful desk.  The desk has three drawers, and comes apart in three pieces to be moved.  I finished the desk with multiple coats of teak oil, to enhance the warm feel of the wood.  

Giving a room a custom look

I recently aquired a pool table and moved it into our bonus room.  Since then I have been thinking about how to turn the room into a pool room with character and functionality.  I decided to add wainscoting around the room and a built in shelving unit for a television.  I chose vertical grain doug fir as the wood species to keep a







northwest theme.  I then started laying out the room on paper with a "to-scale" drawing.  I was able to size and place the built-in where I wanted and make a material list based on my final dimensions.  I built the shelving unit first and installed the wainscoting around the room.  I also built a small corner table from 3" VG fir set at 39" from the floor to allow for a bar stool seating area.  I left the wood natural and used a clear polyurethane to finish the wood.  I then painted the upper two thirds of the wall and that completed the room, giving the space a purpose and a real warm feel.

Trip to Marvin Windows & Door Factory

   


































      Leaving Warroad Minnesota on the twin engine plane I want to remember my experience at Marvin and think back on what I took from my time at the factory.  What surprised me is that my thoughts didn't go to windows or doors, but to a man, George Marvin, founder of Marvin windows and door .  The town reeks of appreciation and honor for the Marvin family.  Three phrases and memories stick out in my mind.  The first is George Marvin's motto that "To succeed in any field, work like hell and don’t spend more then you make".  Words needed today.  The second memory is a story of George Marvin that was told by his granddaughter.  On a Sunday before church he was in the grain elevator shoveling grain for a man that needed it that day.  He said it was more important then being on time to church.  His charity and hard work have built that community.  The family tradition has continued through the generations obviously.  The funny thing is that I was at a manufacturer for 2 days and came away with stories of a man and his family, not upselling techniques or technical data.  This company puts its character into its product.  The whole operation from start to finish is in house.  Marvin is resourceful in everything they do, waste management, heating, recycling, even utilizing and enabling their employees talents and interests.  Jane was our Marvin representative at dinner.  She started working for Marvin in the factory and was sent to school for computer technology and now works in the IT department.  The company's values show in their windows and doors.  Quality is at the top end of the market.  Windows and doors take every abuse inside and out while performing in extreme environments, our homes.  We keep the inside temperature at 68 degrees while the outside weather, 1" to 6" away, is -40 or 100 degrees.  This is a problematic area for every builder.  Marvin has found solutions to this problem.  The only thing left is for the contractor to install them correctly, which they provide information and training for.  We leave Warroad and Marvin knowing a product thoroughly and just beginning to know the community. Finally, the third thing I’ll remember was Bill Marvins' resolve after his factory burnt to the ground, "we'll build it again, and we'll build it better".   And they did....

Educated Homeowner

     Not every person is a contractor or works in the trades, and may never want to for that matter.  But most people want to be a homeowner.  Homes are complicated structures with many components and systems integrated together carefully to make that house function and last more then 10 years. Materials and systems are installed by professionals and are usually very expensive for the average homeowner.  Owning a home is not like owning anything else in your life, you need to have some level of knowledge, or know where to get it.

     A great source of free information is your city, county, or state building department. You can access records from that specific piece of property you are looking to purchase.  Think of it like a Carfax report.  These records will include permits (or lack there of), zoning, boundary's, and more.  Knowing the history and facts about your potential property is invaluable and important for every homeowner.  This can potentially save you from a "messy" purchase.

     When buying a home there has to be a lot of trust between you and your Realtor.  They are professionals at putting together a legal transaction with the seller, and selling properties.  This does not mean they know the state or history of the house you might be purchasing and living in.  That's why a Home Inspector is contracted to inspect the home.  Now you are trusting a person that you do not know, and did not choose to work with.  Many home inspectors gain their credentials online through varying accredited programs.  So with 120 hours of book work this home inspector is ready to tell you whether or not the house is sound in structure, moisture protection, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, safe, and code compliant.  I have been remodeling for 11 years and I can tell you that it takes more then some book study to assess a house thoroughly and correctly.  Check out your home inspector, ask for his credentials, and referrals.  There are some very good home inspectors out there, take the time to find and use one, these guys are doing there job well and have your best interest in mind.

     Ultimately the responsibility will be YOURS!  So educate yourself properly and work with quality professionals throughout the process.  I also suggest working with a contractor who has experience working in the homes in your area.  Check them out through your county or city, or through private organizations like the MBA.  Most Quality Contractors will provide a service to do a comprehensive report of a home you are looking to buy. Do the necessary research and use the right professionals when buying your next home.

Historical Remodel

Taking an extra small kitchen nook and transforming it into an open eat in kitchen area with a desk workspace was no easy task. We removed approximately 24 square feet of living space. On the outside the deck and patio were reconfigured. This beautiful old home in the North End has lots of character with craftsman style moldings inside and outside, and 1" x 4" bevel cedar siding. Architect Joel Parker worked with Duke York to design the addition with the rest of the house in mind and to preserve the historical look and feel of the original house. Marvin Windows' double hung wood windows were installed to match the old single pane windows in the rest of the house. The new windows also added to the home's overall efficiency. A new tile floor, with electric floor heat, was installed throughout the kitchen and new addition. Outside a new cedar deck with wrap around stairs takes you down to the new patio and backyard. After removing a tree and expanding the patio north there is plenty of space to enjoy the sun when it does come out. The added benefits of this addition are a full basement underneath the addition (future wine room), a new concrete walkway to the street and the power and cable lines moved underground. Looking at the space, inside and outside, the homeowners have gained areas designed specifically for their lifestyle, preserving the history of the building and adding modern conveniences.

Summer Construction NOW!

     In the Northwest we love our summers.  This year you want to be spending it outside on that new outdoor space.  Patios and decks are the starting blocks for your outdoor enjoyment.  This time of year is a great time to think about your house and it's need for a new outdoor space.  Usually everyone thinks of this once it is summer and they need the space NOW.  Between scheduling, design, and construction time, if you wait you will be enjoying your new deck or patio late in the summer season or even next year.  Think about scheduling your consultation for your new outdoor area today.

     There are so many wonderful composite deck products on the market, like Timbertech or Trex, that are worry free, low maintenance and affordable.  Wood decks make for beautiful, warm areas and with Ironwood decking your deck will last forever and wow your family and guests.  Patios are also a great outdoor option, you can choose from multiple patterns and colors or mix them to create your very own custom design.  Stamped concrete is creative and low maintenance.  Adding outdoor lights, landscaping, fencing, or maybe an arbor to your deck or patio would complete your new outdoor space.  York Enterprises can handle all of your outdoor needs, give us a call and start your summer NOW!!!!!

253.752.3189