Tool tote
This classic wooden tool tote is a great way to keep your tools organized and protected, whether you are working at your bench, or away from your shop.
Michael Kampen
Michael is an accomplished furniture designer and maker living on Vancouver Island.
Articles by Michael Kampen
Skateboard Deck
Here's a chance to try something a little different. No square stock, no crisply executed joinery and, although there is a lot of gluing up of material, you don’t need a rack of expensive clamps.
Layout Squares
You won’t realize how useful these squares can be around the shop until you have a few at hand.
The golden rectangle
The golden rectangle, or in its three-dimensional counterpart, the golden solid, can make the difference between a design that is pleasing to the eye, and one that seems awkward and clumsy.
Kitchen Island Table
This kitchen island has been designed for smaller kitchens. Depending on your requirements, it can function as a preparation surface, an eating table, or both
Chalkboard
Kids love chalkboards, and the bigger the better. Whether it's to play a quick game of tic-tac-toe, or to draw a picture, your children will be drawn to, and drawing on this chalkboard.
Easy Shelf
This shelf, once installed, shows no visible signs of support, which gives it a clean, modern look.
Display Case
Everybody has something that means a great deal to them, something they would like to display, yet keep safe from harm.
Room divider
This screen is an ideal solution for dividing a large room into smaller units, isolating a computer or play area from a main room, or blocking excessive light. It's also a great way to hide a messy area in your living or family room.
Hidden compartment bookshelf
Finding a bookshelf to store your treasured collection of books can pose a bit of a challenge.
Blanket chest
Here is a project that will give you a place to store winter items in the summer, summer items in the winter, or anything else you care to toss in throughout the year.
Arts & Crafts style mailbox
With the renovations for our house nearing completion, we felt it was time to replace the old rusted metal mailbox with something new, and in keeping with the character of the house. After sketching several ideas, I chose this Arts & Crafts influenced design.
Slate top coffee table
The rough texture of slate, combined with the smooth polished surfaces of wood, creates an interesting element in coffee table design.
Library table
This library table, based on a Gustav Stickley design, is made of quarter-sawn white oak.
Display cart
This is a great cart to display anything from produce, to wooden crafts, to jewellery.
Chimney cupboard
Chimney cupboards have been with us for hundreds of years. Originally, they were found in kitchens, but in more recent times they have been used in bathrooms to store linens. It is a great way to increase your storage space, regardless of where you use it.
Power tool maintenance
Power tools face damaging heat and mechanical stress every time they are used.
Switch box
Anything that makes your time spent in the shop safer and more enjoyable is worth looking into.
Bedside box
Here is a simple, stylish box that will allow you to keep small everyday close at hand and eliminate clutter at the same time.
Shop safety
When planning a new shop (or upgrading your current shop) it’s a good idea to consider both safety and convenience.
Walking-stick stand
Walking sticks and umbrellas are handy to have near your entrance, but storing them attractively is another thing.
Electrical loads
Before wiring your shop, a little background on the nature of electrical loads is in order. There are two main types of electrical loads: resistive, and inductive.
Heating your shop
There are a few things to consider when heating a shop. To select the best heater you have to take into account such things as the size of the shop, ceiling height, and the amount of insulation.
Shop lighting
While it is possible to work safely in a cold shop, it is impossible to do so in a dark shop.
