This is what a $22,000 built-in looks like.

Every bookcase starts as a set of boxes and every desk as a series of boards. But when luxury meets necessity, a non-functional space can be re-imagined and dramatically transformed. But when your client is a former musician and audiophile and wants audio components IN his desktop, labor and material costs suddenly skyrocket...

Products used for this project (*some are affiliate links):

Other places to find me and my content:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FTC Legal Disclaimer - Some links found in the description box of my videos may be affiliate links, meaning I will make commission on sales you make through my link. There is no extra cost for you to use For this build, I've set up my main project board with inspiration photos in a couple mood boards— this one for the bent wood shelf and another for the curved drawers. This is much more efficient than scrolling through my photo album to find that one picture from months ago that inspired me.

[DATApushr]

As a hobbyist audio engineer and enjoyer of all things hardwood, this has got to be one of the coolest things I've ever seen.

[hamilde]

My local hardwood supplier had a customer that would buy truckloads of veneered plywood to make home elevators. The customer changed their process and went with different wood. The hardwood dealer had tons of walnut and maple veneered plywood that they put on clearance. I bought a bunch of it for $40 to $50 a sheet. I'll be making everything out of it for the foreseeable future.

[Neverbloom]

Going the extra mile on details may not seem like a good business desicion but that couldn't be further from the truth.
Those extra details is what pushes customers back and draws a new clientele too (especially over here in YouTube).

Awesome work Keith.

[michaelgray]

Back in the 80's I was an inside salesman at a wholesale lumber and plywood distributor. A guy who ran a small local cabinet shop came in and bought eight sheets of 3/4" A-2 walnut. It was beautiful stuff, high end architectural, book matched and numbered. I wrote him up and sent him to the warehouse, where he was kept waiting because it was lunchtime and the guys who were there were busy, so I jumped on a forklift and pulled down the stack and helped him load it into his pickup. I could not help but comment on how gorgeous it was and asked him what he was making and the poor man looked like he wanted to cry.

Seems he had bid a high end job in River Oaks, the old money part of Houston, and the job specced the walnut - but it was going to be covered in black lacquer. This premium, absolutely gorgeous plywood was going to be covered in black paint!

I was about ready to cry too. Stupidest thing I ever heard of. He could have used paint grade birch, but he wasn't going to vary from the product as it was specified. It's been forty years now and it still hurts me to think of it.

[kellyb]

The quality, complexity, and attention to detail are incredible. Putting those 30 years of experience to work here!

[jonq]

Like anything else, just when you start to feel competent, you see a professional like this work. I'm extremely impressed, and inspired.

[coldmorningcoffee]

Isn't it amazing how, with the knowledge and foresight gained from 30 years of experience, he can foresee issues coming down the line that would take hours of finicky reworking, but the solution is to just insert a folded piece of tissue paper as he cuts the fixtures.
The end result was beautiful but the extra attention to detail with that brass guitar knob was really, really a nice touch. Says a lot.

10/10 video enjoyment reported from this viewer.

[wttsy]

Was just thinking, Keith hasn’t posted anything for a long while; hope he’s alright.

Now we know why! Amazing design and build as usual. Bravo.

[danieltx]

Non-woodworker here, but as someone whose studio contains a good amount of modular synth gear (the airplane knobs in the giant, beautiful rack) and enjoys watching quality, care, and process, I thoroughly enjoyed this video.

[steveferguson]

Making the customer happy is number one in this business and I must say your attention to detail is amazing. One of your best videos to date. Can’t wait for the next one

[ClintonCaraway-CNC]

I ran a one man (something two of three with the help of my dad and 1st cousin) shop building furniture and cabinets from 1991-2012. I was also trained by Fine Woodworking, American Woodworker magazines and books from people like Tage Frig and Jim Toplin. I was disabled in 2012 and now run a CNC, laser 3D printing shop as a hobby. I love watching YouTube woodworking channels and I have to say you do some of the most amazing, complex and beautiful builds every. Your attention to detail is second to none and the fact you film it so masterfully just blows me away!! Keep up the awesome work... you are a true craftsman!!

[andrianmonk]

Finished product is beautiful. The craftsmanship is superb. Watching you construct your projects is both educational as well as entertaining with your humor. Frankly, one of the best parts is watching you deal with the inevitable issues that come up as a project unfolds. Mistakes will occur however it's how they're handled that's key; you do a great job in this area.

[crusier]

Yep, sometimes that customer will say to his or her family and friends "hey guys, check out this cool little detail Keith added" and then you have MORE business.

Your cats are truly supervisors. Always getting in the way and looking at you like they know better than you..

[clarkmanship]

I really like the transparency of this entire process. From disclosing the actual prices to showing mistakes/corrections. Seeing the entirety of the project, with all the details is very interesting!!

[ChrisCoombes]

Thank you for having this in one single video.

[craftedworkshop]

Perfect timing on this one because I'm going to be building a studio desk for Rhett Shull here soon and have been brainstorming on the rack mounted gear. Turned out awesome!

[RexGunderson]

This should be flagged for pornographic content. This is some of the most incredible work ive ever seen. Fantastic video and even more fantastic work... What a joy through and through.

[OkayestOfDads]

Man
You can TELL the wealth of expertise you have, and the mistakes and challenges you avoid because of that knowledge.

[dieterjones]

What an insane amount of work resulting in what can only be described as an awesome built in piece of furniture. Thanks for putting in the extra work to film and share this on your channel.

[judge]

As a carpenter of too many years i have absolutely no problem with your expert use of that table saw, its only the arm chair andys who have never built anything in their life who know everything about safety.