The Hall Tree

[Don Grubish]

OK, something happened to the first blog post about this project, and I'm tired of seeing a blank page here. Therefore, I'll explain my story again.

When I moved into my current place, there is a nook just inside our front door, immediately to your left as you walk in. Next to that is our front entrance closet, but it's way too small for me, my roommate, and his two kids when he has them over. Something needed to be done, and that nook area was just too barren. I decided to make a hall tree for extra coats when company comes over.

I went to Menards and picked up 12 6' pine planks. I used five of them to make the back board by using the Kreg Jig to join them together. Check this out:

That was a lot of Kreg screws, but a lot of fun putting it together. I learned a lot from that, for when I someday do a dining room table for a buddy of mine at work. Anywho, after that, I made two sides for my tree, again by joining cut pieces of planking to one full plank. I then put them together so you can get an idea of where I was going with this. Pictures below:

My next task was joining more plank pieces for my bench, as well as the tray that will go underneath. The tray will hold hats and gloves during the winter months here in Minnesota. Underneath the glove tray, I built the hall tree to hold a metal rack for snowy/muddy boots. Check this out:

and the rack:

After all that was done, I was wondering what I could do to the backer board that would take up the space elegantly, as well as be something I haven't done before. My original thought was to whip out my trusty woodburner yet again, but a part of me said something more needed to go there. I then looked carefully at the woodwork done at my place of employment in the upstairs conference room. Then it hit me. I needed to buy trim and do a design with that, using my mitre saw and finishing air nailer. The result is what you see below, and I couldn't be happier!

I will have a mirror go into the hole cut at the top, and used the trim work for a frame. It will hold the mirror nicely and look exquisite when finished. Tomorrow I will give this piece a final sanding and apply stain conditioner as well as my coat of stain. If all goes well, I'll add coats of finish to it Saturday evening and Sunday, and apply the hardware last.

This job will be done in time for Thanksgiving, which I'm hosting this year. I'll have plenty of hooks for all those extra jackets now. Also, here are the plans I whipped up so others can see just how I built this piece.

November 23, 2009 UPDATE

I stained my project over the weekend, using Minwax Red Oak stain, and here is what it looks like:

And after that, I applied three coats of finish and added the hardware and mirror. The result is what you see below. I am simply thrilled with how well this project turned out.

[Don Grubish]

I have no idea either... was this just my blog, or a lot of them on this site?

[KregRep]

Don, I'm not sure what happened to this blog entry... the content is gone, and it was moved to a 1999 date!

[Don Grubish]

Check out my 11/12/09 update. =) Also, does anyone know where I can get mirror cut to size? Home Depot apparently doesn't do that sort of thing. I can try Menard's or Ace Hardware, but is there some special place I should rather go to?

[Kevin]

hey Don....
uploaded a "G" for you to check out.

[KregRep]

Well done, Don. Thanks for all of the in-progress photos... looking forward to the finished result!

[Derek]

Love this project, Don. I especially like the racking below for boots. A bit different than usual perhaps, but definitely FUNCTIONAL! I'd cringe every time if I had to put my wet boots down on nice wood. The small enclosing for hats and gloves is ingenious. Well done, sir!

Looking forward to seeing the finished result with hangers, etc. BTW, I like the idea of the big 'G' if anything. You'll want to make sure its something classy that you're willing to look at it on a daily basis since it will be right in the middle of your home!