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Custom Liquor Cabinet

author-gravatar sandyeggo Nov 13, 2018

I was commissioned to design and build a custom liquor cabinet for a law firm that overlooks PetCo Park in downtown San Diego.  Working with the customer I design the cabinet to mimic the design elements in his 100 year old desk that was made in India.  These designs included the circular patterns, the side trim and the feet.  The rest I created from ideas from the customer and functionality he wanted incorporated.  This included where he went to school and his favorite TV show.

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

The final rendering I came up for the customer's approval.  Done in Sketchup in about 10 hours of going back and forth on different designs, incorporating the glass storage, mirrors, drawers, humidors, accessory storage, large drawer storage and Spanish Cedar liner for the humidors.  Also included the addition of steel bars to keep the bottles in place on the doors, however low enough to allow easy access to the.

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

This is the wood that would comprise the entire cabinet, minus the back sheet which I use a sheet of 3/4" Baltic Birch for.

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

The first of many boards to be glued up!

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

The circle design being machined while playing with some cameras.

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

Lots of chips, mostly from hand planing the glued up boards as cauls did not do a perfect job.

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

Machining the long vertical side trim pieces.

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

Ripping to size the sides of the cabinet.

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

Cross cuts being made to final dimensions for the sides.

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

Piecing together the vertical pieces on the backer board.

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

Drawer slides being test fit.

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

Test fitting the doors using piano hinges was not as hard as I thought.

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

Lots of hand planing, card scraper and sanding to smooth things out

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

These were chosen as they are where the customer went to high school, college and the military branch he served in.

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

I really like the way the depth comes out with the specific engrave settings I used on my laser.

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

Staining process started.  I tried to make it look weathered.

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

Installing various pieces including the mirrors.

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

The shot glass storage area including some space for accessory storage.

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

The four humidor sections, two up top and two below, all lined with Spanish Cedar I resawed on my bandsaw, then planed and sanded.

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

The circular pieces came out fantastic and look just like the ones on the customers desk.

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

Final touches before delivery.

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

Finally at it's home, overlooking the Padres field, PetCo Park.

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

We moved it to the adjacent wall to grab some pictures.

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

Ready to be filled up and used!

Photo of Custom Liquor Cabinet

A very happy customer!

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