Built-ins

The story behind the project: cypress plate rack

November 19, 2021

Nancy Hiller shares the backstory of her next FW project; going back to her first professional job as a woodworker in 1980.

Why I fit kitchen cabinet doors and drawers on site

May 13, 2021

It's a surefire way to get a perfect fit without breaking your back.

Designing built-ins for installation during a pandemic

December 10, 2020

You can have thoughtful details and an elegant fit, and STILL keep everyone safe.

How I bid a small job

September 22, 2020

Just because a job is small and affordable, that doesn't mean it can't be beautiful and last a lifetime

How to build hanging shelves with integrated lighting, Part 2: Installation

September 9, 2020

Shelves like these require careful planning and measuring, then measuring again, then testing your measurements, then testing again.

How to build hanging shelves with integrated lighting-part 1

July 8, 2020

Working on a project that involves opening up the wall between the kitchen and living room while keeping each one a distinct space, Nancy Hiller creates suspended shelves which act as a subtle divider.

On a Job Site, Improvisation Is the Name of the Game

December 11, 2019

If working on site has taught Nancy Hiller anything, it's how to think outside the box in order to get the job done.

Loose-pin butt hinges: a little play may be better than none

July 10, 2019

I’m working on a set of built-in cabinets in cherry for a late 1920s house in one of our town’s loveliest historic districts. There are two cabinets flanking a large…

Shop Made Uprights for a Modular Wall Unit

June 4, 2019

These uprights hold all the cases on my midcentury wall unit. The pairs of 45° holes along their length make the whole unit modular—so the cases can be rearranged. Accurate…

Designer’s Notebook: Better Built-ins

February 8, 2017

Synopsis: A room full of built-ins doesn’t have to be symmetrical and standardized. The space can have plenty of shapes, tones, and textures to please the eye and attract the…