Shop Dogs Custom Woodworking

2025 recap/photo dump/something clever that the kids are calling it these days…part two!

2025 was a big year of home projects/pupgrades at ShopDogs HQ.

1 - Technically late 2024 but fully decorated in early 2025 was a matching pair of couches. Our old sectional finally called it quits, and these are a really fun replacement. All white oak from my grandparents backyard, highlighting my favorite quartersawn grain pattern with the medullary ray flecking, bookmatching, and a lot of challenging new joinery. And the mattress seats have already been put to good use for multiple funion sleeovers!

2 - The home office got a big storage boost with some built-in shelving around the doorway. It gives the room an interesting entrance and a ton of capacity for holding our growing list of hobbies (this was shortly after construction, and not nearly full enough yet (lol)

3 - The living room also got a big makeover with a built-in entertainment center, complete with tons of storage and a home for my great-grandparents old toy box. (and yes, the built-in is level, the floor is just that wonky right there)

4/5 - Later in the year, our board gaming habit took off so of course we needed to add a game table! Eventually (some day…maybe) it will get a removable top so it can function as a dining/coffee table as well.

6 - Not to be forgotten, the shop got a major upgrade too by finally bringing in a SawStop. This has been a dream tool addition for awhile now, and I am stoked to have it (and all of my fingers) as a permanent resident.

7/8/9 - Last but certainly not least (and she will make sure you know it), Poppy became the newest member of the ShopDog crew. Maddux is (usually) thrilled to have a four-legged coworker around again and she brings a lot of fun and excitement every day

Beautiful kitchen trio that was recently donated to Foster Village Peoria for their Fostering Love Gala silent auction! Hard to top the classic All-American combo of Walnut, Cherry, and Maple. Raised some money for a great cause, and someone got a big upgrade to their kitchen!

Ah, the simple serving tray! Had a little fun with this one by using some highly figured quartersawn white oak from my grandparents tree. The ray flecks really POP on the sides, and are quite wild on the bookmatched solid wood bottom as well. And for good measure, the grain wraps continuously around all four corners, which is a fun technique to amp up a simple object. Makes for a great display piece, in addition to more practical uses!

Upgraded the mug stand to a double version this past Christmas! This was a super figured chunk of white oak from my grandparent’s tree that I kept as an offcut from another project. It ended up making the perfect organizer for their coffee/tea station. Found a fun mug to pair with it at the discoverpeoria shop too!