Living Up To Quality Standards | Don’t Settle

When is it good enough to leave my shop?

A recent project was a “rescue” operation. Our client, a Colorado luxury interior design professional, asked for help completing a large, decorative fireplace hood.

Custom Residential Interior Design | Maintaining the Highest Standards

Like a range hood, but going over the fireplace in the great room, the hood stood almost 9 feet tall and was over 6 feet wide at the base. The structure was fabricated and covered in maple veneer at another shop, but they were unable to complete the build.

While the structure was sound, and well done, especially on such a large scale, some of the details were missing. And, as we often say here, details matter.

Some of the veneer was lifting up in spots, likely from an insufficient amount of pressure during application.

A few of the corners and joints were uneven, resulting in odd shadow lines.

There were veneer joints on the face of the hood, even though a single sheet could have covered the entire structure. 

We tried to make do and went ahead with staining. 

Solid Foundations = Quality Outcomes | Colorado Made

When working with wood veneer, the foundation upon which the veneer is laid is critical. The staining highlighted this even further. Because of the imperfections, the stain looked awful in spots, although most of the hood looked beautiful.

After a few weeks in the shop trying to get things to work we came to a crossroads.

Even though I didn’t build the structure, it would be delivered from my shop.

Even though the costs, being absorbed by the designer, were through the roof, it would reflect on her reputation.

In collaboration, we decided to re-veneer the entire structure.

The old veneer was meticulously peeled away. The contact cement was arduously melted, scraped and sanded off. The underlying wood structure was sanded smooth. Holes and gaps were filled. Uneven joints were made proper.

When the foundation was completely proper we went ahead with applying new veneer. It pains me to admit this as a man, but I actually read the instructions for application. And I followed them.

I called the veneer manufacturer, Oakwood Veneer (www.oakwoodveneer.com), with a few questions. They were super helpful. After all, their success is reflected in ours.

And in the end, we achieved the quality results that we could both take pride in. 

Oftentimes the easier path is not the right path. By following our instincts and staying true to our mission of creating for pride, we took the longer road. But it was the proper road and makes the additional work that much more enjoyable and gratifying. 

It’s why we build. What path do you take?