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In October 2022, MT Trim Co was blessed to work on a one-of-a-kind kennel room for Stonegate Homes . This luxury project in the Rosebrooke Community in Brentwood, Tennessee, was featured in the Nashville Parade of Homes 2022. This build is one of our favorites to date, and is a fan favorite, too! Let's face it, dogs are family. And every family member deserves a special place in the home. Right? That's exactly what Stonegate Homes had in mind with this kennel room—yes room—for those with four-legged best friends. But before we dive into the build, we have to introduce you to our pup, Mason. He wants to be a shop dog, only loud noises like drills and trucks scare him. It's safe to say he will remain a stay-at-home cutie for now. And if he saw this dog lover’s delight, he’d likely never leave home again. Upon entry from the garage, which by the way has a dog shower installed, you enter into the kennel room that any dog would happily claim as their own. This warm and inviting space is equipped with a water station, storage for food, leash lockers, a window bench and built-in nooks for pet beds. It’s the perfect furry-friend hang-out spot. The perfect sit and guard house space. And we know it would be the perfect place to welcome home family members and guests if we were a dog. Building + Installation At MT Trim Co we build and install all of our projects. It starts with building what we can at the shop, then transporting it to the home for installation. And because we primarily work for luxury new builds, the homebuilder typically has a separate finishing crew for paint and/or stain. That’s not to say we can’t and haven’t done finishings, because we have! While we did not paint this project, we did do the gold metal mesh (say that three times fast) details for the doors and lockers. After unloading big cabinet box after big cabinet box, we always do a dry fit by placing each part of the build into their soon-to-be permanent locations to ensure everything fits correctly. Here are a few shots of us in action! Tip #1: Placing your build before permanently installing is a great way to discover how square and straight the walls are in your project area. Oftentimes after drywall is installed, walls aren’t as straight as they might appear (i.e., the framing could be a 1/4” off, the floor may be slightly uneven or the house settled). This stage allows interior carpentry crews to make any adjustments to the build, and determine what trim details will make the final installation secure and flawless. Tip #2: You can snag the tools we use via our Amazon Storefront . Tip #3: Thank a carpenter for making your custom designs fit! We’re kind of like magicians! Because you have to admit, this build definitely makes your jaw drop! Preview for Builders + Trades The night before the Nashville Parade of Homes opened to the public, those who helped build the homes (architects, builders, designers and tradespeople) had a sneak preview of the multi-million dollar luxury row. It was great to see everyone involved be proud of what we accomplished together. Special thanks to Stonegate Homes and Custom Trim TN for trusting MT Trim Co as part of this elite team. Tip #4: You don’t need permission to be proud of your work! Do not worry about what others think. Take your moments in, because you only live once. The Parade of Homes It would be remiss of us to say we weren’t a little proud to see the public's reaction to this beautiful home, too. Check out these videos! The first video shows our reaction, and the second is the original. These clips do a great job featuring the work of all our Custom Trim TN coworkers, whom we are lucky to share a shop with every day. What have you done in your home specifically for your pets? Tell us or send any questions you have via our Contact Us page.

We all have stuff. Some of it is essential, some... not so much. But the key to a functional home is having the right space for the things that matter. That’s where custom storage comes in. Here are a few of our favorite builds (that aren’t mud rooms) that can help you stay organized while making more room for life! Because, well, life happens. Narrative Nomad: Book Nook If you love the feel of a traditional book in hand but don’t have space for a full home library, this one’s for you. It’s a cozy window seat meets book nook complete with built-in shelves for your favorite stories and deep drawers to tuck away those blankets for the perfect reading escape. Okay, full disclosure: these are faux-drawers on this design, but they would have been functional if this were our home! No Space Left Behind: In-Wall Built-In One thing we’ve learned is that linen closets aren’t always part of the plan, especially in tight bathrooms or at the end of a hallway. This particular build was a standout: the floor plan gave us just enough room to create an in-wall built-in , turning unused space into a fully functional linen closet. It’s a great reminder that with a little creativity, there’s almost always a solution —sometimes you just have to think inside the wall. Fluff and Fold Fortress: Traditional Linen Closet On the other hand, maybe you do have the space for a built-in cabinet, you just haven’t spotted it yet. Look around: an open wall at the end of a hallway, space in a bathroom or laundry room or unused nook could be the perfect spot. Just because the builder didn’t add it doesn’t mean you can’t! With a little vision, these overlooked areas can become smart storage for linens… or anything else you need to tuck away. Check out this bathroom linen closet . Traditional Meets Style: Arched Built-ins Built-ins are commonly found flanking fireplaces or tucked into home offices. But why not bring that same charm and function into your hallways? Sure, hallways serve a purpose—the flow of movement—but they aren’t just passageways. They can transform into purposeful, functional spaces. This particular end-of-hallway built-in features classic cabinetry and floating shelves, all crowned with a graceful arched detail that adds architectural interest and timeless appeal. Thrown of Champions: Toilet Paper Cabinet Remember when toilet paper was more coveted than gold? Well, if you’re still stockpiling rolls and need a place to hide them, we’ve got you covered. Just kidding. Kind of, because we really have built a few toilet paper cabinets ! But seriously, powder baths use tissue, too, and a floor stand may not be sufficient (or could be an eyesore.) Look up! Often, there is unused vertical space that can be transformed into a space-saving cabinet. Of course, this custom storage solution can be used for any bathroom essentials you prefer to keep out of sight. As the seasons change, it's the perfect time to refresh your home and make space for what truly matters — the things in life that bring you joy. Whether it's a cozy reading nook, a hallway built-in or a clever linen cabinet, each custom storage solution offers a unique way to enhance your living space. Let these ideas inspire you to think creatively and transform overlooked areas into functional, stylish features. And don't forget to tell this blog and tell us which custom storage solution inspired you the most! Shop our favorites, message us if you need a custom storage solution, and be sure to follow us on YouTube ! We have some exciting new video projects releasing soon!

"Build a king-sized Murphy bed," they said. "It will be easy," they said. Insert nervous laugh here. This was the first time we built a Murphy bed this large. So, extra preparation was necessary. Remember last month when we highlighted critical thinking as an essential carpentry skill ? It came in handy! That, and we kept Murphy’s Law in mind, too. Murphy’s Law – the infamous adage that states if anything can go wrong, it will (and usually at the worst possible moment). Instead of letting that scare us, we used it to our advantage. So, if you’re thinking about tackling your own Murphy bed, here’s what you need to know before you find yourself questioning your life choices. Size Matters You’re building a space-saving bed, but ironically, the first thing to check is... do you even have the space? Measure your room (twice). Consider what else will live there. Will it double as an office? A gym? A cat sanctuary? Also, think about clearance – nothing like pulling down a bed and realizing it slams into your bookshelf. Material Guy (or Girl) Wood is heavy. MDF is heavy. Plywood? You guessed it—heavy. We love Tru-Pan Ultralight MDF for paint-grade projects, but since this is a bed (as in, it holds humans), make sure your materials are strong and practical. We used birch plywood for the bed cabinet and bed box, and hardwood poplar for cross supports. The Right Stuff (a.k.a. The Hardware) Not all Murphy bed kits are created equal. We went with Wilding Wallbeds ( found it on Amazon ), which allows the bed to be inset for a sleek look. Pro tip: Six springs per side work perfectly if you’re using plywood and hardwood. Once the mattress is in, the tension is just right – Goldilocks would approve. Measure Twice, Panic Never Murphy bed instructions only come with specs for building the bed and not any custom features. For example, with the Wilding Wallbeds kit, we had only 1/16” of wiggle room on each side of the bed, 1” at the top, and ½” on the sides of the jam. Why does this matter? Because we were adding built-in cabinets and crown molding – precision is the difference between a chef’s kiss and DIY disaster. Fit for a King-ish Buying the correct mattress size seems obvious, right? But here’s the deal: your mattress can only be as thick as the interior box of the Murphy bed. Not the entire structure. And don’t forget the bedding – unless you want to wrestle with sheets every time you close the bed. Measure twice. Shop once. Trusty Transport If you build in a shop and transport, invest in a trailer that won’t make you hate your life. We swear by The SmartFold Trailer by Carry-On . It folds down on all four sides, making loading/unloading a breeze. Trust us, your back will thank you. Installation (a.k.a. The Home Stretch) No matter how much prep you do, you’ll need a solid on-site toolkit. Be prepared for last-minute tweaks. Here are some of our favorite hardware, screws and nails  and   finishes, fillers and adhesives . Speaking of adhesives, if you haven’t tried Instantbond Adhesive , do it. It cures in 3-5 minutes solo or 3-5 seconds with the accelerator. Game changer. Especially for crown molding. Final Thoughts? Murphy’s Law may be undefeated, but with a little planning, a solid   toolkit , and some strategic cursing, you can build a king-sized Murphy bed without losing your sanity. Probably. Happy building! Thanks for reading, friends! Never miss a post and sign up for our newsletter . We promise to send one at some point.

He’s a carpenter. He’s a dad. He’s got carpentry dad jokes. Be ready to laugh, roll your eyes and share them with your family, friends and co-workers, because they have just the right amount of cheese. Carpentry Dad Jokes I was going to do a carpentry Dad Joke… But I didn’t know if it woodwork. You seem pretty confident about your carpentry. Yeah, I’m proud of my shelf. How does the carpenter build stairs effectively? He thinks one step ahead. The experienced carpenter nailed it. But the new guy screwed everything up. Why do Presidents need a carpenter? To fix their cabinet. My dog wants to work in construction. He’s really good at roofing. How did the carpenter lose his teeth? He kept biting his nails. How do you become a woodworker? Whittle by whittle. When do carpenters discuss their next project? At the board meeting. The carpenter’s wife said, “It’s me or your tools.” He chose the ladder. Money doesn’t grow on trees. You haven’t bought any lumber lately. What do you call a sports car made of wood? A lumber-ghini. Why did it take so long for the carpenter to propose? He was building up to it. What do you call cutting tools covered in Siracha? Hot saws. Have you heard the “under construction” joke yet? That’s because it’s not finished. And on that note — have a great day! Do you have any carpentry jokes or puns to share? Need actual carpentry services? Contact us .

If you’ve been following our blog, you know we love dogs. ICYMI: A Dog Lover’s Delight: Kennel Room . And now, you’ll learn we love cats, too. Or at least our cat, Amos. We typically tackle large-scale luxury builds, but these two— Mason and Amos —inspired these small builds for small pets. 1. The Poo Palace Cats are pretty self-sufficient. But if you have a house King as we do — they still need food, water and a place to do their business. And nobody likes a smelly cat. Just like every King needs a palace, every home deserves a way to hide the stank cats leave behind. There are plenty of self-cleaning and furniture disguising cat boxes online , but if the design isn’t up to your standard, consider creating a custom build. That’s what we did, and Amos couldn’t be happier to have a powder room to call his own. We call it his Poo Palace. Amos loves the privacy it offers, and as much as he thinks he can do everything himself, it still requires a human to clean it — usually every other day. Note: We have found that the confined space helps keep the house smelling fresh and helps contain litter. Not shown: there are two circle vents within the Poo Palace to help with circulation. 2. The Raised Food/Water Bowl Holder Have you ever seen a dog lay down to eat? It’s likely because they are exhausted. You would be too if your neck were constantly strained from bending down to eat or chasing your bowl around the floor. We noticed our dog's posture and digestion were poor, and looked for a solution for his health. We did our research and found that having his food and water at shoulder level could help. There are plenty of these you can buy online , but we chose to do a custom build. Part of the design includes contour cuts on the legs that match a ceiling detail in our dining room. I mean, that’s what you do when you own a custom woodworking company . Mason loves it. Note: There are debates about whether raised food and water bowls are good for your dog. So we aren’t saying go out and build or purchase yours today. But, should you have concerns about your dog, do your research and talk to your vet. 3. The Puppy-Kitty Corner One of our favorite spots in our home is our bonus room, we even nicknamed it the Creative Cave. It’s a place to write, record and play music. An area to dream, design and paint. A space to kick back and watch movies. It also came with a really funky corner, that screamed for functional design. After all, Mason and Amos love being our shadows and needed a cozy corner to call their own. We converted it to a simple bench by creating a custom cushion. They seem to love it! Access similar builds on Amazon * and see all of our furry friends' favorites. What room would you like to see a post about next? Let us know through our Contact Us page. *MT Trim Co earns commissions on qualifying purchases.

Can you believe we are already a quarter into this century? So, let’s not talk about that. Instead, let’s talk about the past year, we mean month! January 2025 has kept us busy. We had 10 builds to kick off the new year! Library Nook Office Closet Cabinets Two Custom Closets Vanity Shoe Cubbies Custom Sofa Table Water Closet Cabinet Linen Cabinet Garage Hutch Yes, our Owner and Lead Carpenter Matthew Whiteis built 100% of that list. No wonder they say January feels like a year. This is a friendly reminder to our friends, family and followers: We are a small but mighty team with only one carpenter. What’s on the docket in February? Our love for transforming spaces will continue with everything from beautifully crafted custom closets to stylish shelving and even a space-saving Murphy bed! Don’t miss out—follow our journey and witness our creative projects come to life on Instagram   and TikTok ! And for fun—and because January truly did feel like a year—here are our top 10 Instagram Videos of 2024. Video Views A Hidden Door using Two Barn Door Slides Painted : 2.3M+; Pre-Paint : 231K+ I Ain’t As Good As I Once Was 683K+ A Trick to Mark Out Undermount Drawer Slides 408K+ L-Brackets for the Win 283K+ Efficient Ways to Prep Drawer Slides 189K+ A Dramatic Little Pantry 130K+ Bonus video — see it painted! Cabinet Knockouts on the Side 59.5K+ That’s a Wrap! 53.3K+ You Can Never Have Too Much Storage 52.7K+ Here’s to making more fun videos this year. Check out our first shoppable video of the year on Amazon: Building a Custom Sofa Table .

If you’re reading this blog, we know you only came here to watch funny MT Trim Co videos: Part 1. So, we’ll cut right to the chase, right after this viewer’s warning. Warning: We think we are funny. So kick back, turn your volume up and be prepared to laugh. If these videos aren’t funny to you for some reason, sorry. But not really. Don’t worry, we plan to stick to building things and not become stand-up comedians any time soon. No employees, projects or feelings were hurt during filming. Pulse Check Matt survived. Not Worried - They Pay Us The Big Bucks Did you catch the jingle at the end? Compressor Face We wonder if this is what dogs feel like when they stick their heads out the window. That’s a wrap. For now. But, we have a hunch that there will be more of these gems in the future. In the meantime, feel free to check out our project portfolio and shop our favorites .

These 3 amazing transformations will give you the itch to update your home. Let’s face it — we all love a good before-and-after series. 1. A WFH Dream If you work from home (WFH), this one’s for you. Having a dedicated office space in your home will add value. And, who wouldn't want a dreamy workspace to help with their everyday productivity? 2. Pantry Goals The fun part about custom woodworking is that no two projects are ever the same. That especially holds for this next transformation. The saying, “There is a spot for everything,” is what inspired this pantry. The room was a unique small upside-down L shape, and rather than doing standard basic shelving or mirrored floating shelves on each side, these smaller corner-wrapped floating shelves were designed for the homeowner’s space planning. Watch this reel to see the full transformation. 3. The Bunk Beds Trend The idea of bunk beds is not new, but in recent years they have been on the rise in luxury design. And why not? They are great solutions for maximizing space and creating a design that’s alluring to the eye. So, if you are thinking about growing your family, frequently hosting others (or have children who want to), or simply want to rent your property for income — bunk beds should be part of your plan! We give credit where credit is due. They say it takes a village — that is also true in custom woodworking. At MT Trim Co, we work with interior designers to make your vision come to life. We then build everything, deliver and install it—the designer partners with finishing crews to paint/stain and electricians to add accent lighting when needed. We return to do the final touches like hardware, glass or special metal inserts. Check out this reel  that tells how amazing transformations happen. Want to work with us? Do you have an upcoming home project? Need a quote? Contact us today. Or if you're a true DIYer or fellow tradesperson, be sure to shop our favorites !

A pop of color can change the vibe of any room. An intentionally vibrant wall, painted builtins or contrast-inducing millwork are all attainable ways to let your personality shine through design. More often than not, we don’t finish (paint/stain) our builds. That’s primarily because we work on luxury new-build homes, where builders or interior designers hire specialty crews. So, seeing how a pop of color can change our builds—and tie a room together—is always fun! Here are a few transformations that wowed us! Blue Blue is a common color scheme in homes, from front doors, to shutter accents and wall colors. Blue is associated with calmness, relaxation and serenity. That’s why you see it, and other cooler shades, selected as the color of the year frequently. Blue can also be versatile, too. Beyond its calming demeanor, it also can feel inviting and portray elegance. It is a timeless color often used to create contrast — like with this custom library. The result: There’s no feeling blue with these dramatic built-in bookshelves. They certainly tell a story, just like the books they will hold. Dreamy Greens We see plenty of greens that pop a room, but nothing makes a wow statement like a bold emerald or forest green. It’s amazing when you can take a traditional color to make a room feel anything but! Dreamy greens are also the perfect way to bring outdoor vibes inside. If you love to gift, then you likely have bounds of wrapping paper, bows and ribbons organized (or stored in complete chaos) somewhere in your home. No matter how you stash it, this gift-wrapping station is one to drool over and the emerald green brings nothing but cheer. In the South, outdoor living spaces are common. Tennessee’s favorable climate and scenic beauty are reasons homebuyers seek outdoor space. Plus, when designed correctly, they serve as an extension of your home and can add value. We’ve seen covered patios, wrap-around porches, decks, screened-in rooms, outdoor kitchens and pergolas. One of our recent builds took place in this beautiful covered patio — an entertainment space meant to pull the indoor design and outdoor vibe together. We used weather-protected material to create an entertainment bar, and the designer chose a vibrant green to make the cabinet feature stand out. Charcoal Who says an office needs to be bright? Be bold. Be a boss. Paint your builtins black, charcoal or any dark color! Using a dark gray or black may sound scary, but remember it’s a neutral tone that works with many color palettes and can stand the test of time. If you’re scared to commit to something this bold, remember dark colors pair nicely with bright and light accents. Sage Sage and other light greens are the perfect chameleon color. They are soothing, sophisticated and just subtle enough to work with myriad design schemes. Sage can feel fresh and welcoming, so why not have an entry mud bench feature the color? Adding color is a great way to accentuate the space in a calming way — the perfect vibe for family and friends as they enter your home. In recent years, we’ve seen many greens, grays, blues and blacks in design. No matter the hue, shade, tint, stain or paint — your choice can make your style stand out. So if painting a wall or a room feels daunting, remember, you don’t need to skip color altogether. Try a furniture piece or a custom built-in with a pop of color. The result might surprise you! Have a vision but don’t know where to start? Contact us , and be sure to check out our Portfolio for more finished designs.

The shiplap craze is real. And before you roll your eyes and state that you’re sick of seeing farmhouse design, there’s more to do with shiplap than plain horizontal white walls. So. Much. More. Here at MT Trim Co, we’ve seen and applied shiplap in myriad ways, including the: tried and true horizontal white stripe, black or dark navy niche accents, eye-catching mud bench backdrops and over-zealous crazy patterns. We’ve been known to take on a few challenging builds—after all, we love them—and shiplap is not excused from that category. Sure, it’s one of the easiest applications to install, but it can also be complicated. Let us introduce you to a couple of projects that challenged our brains. The Herringbone Shiplap Wall Watch these reels to reveal the full wall! The Tetris Shiplap Mud Bench Scroll to see the wall's progress! The Friend Zone: Featuring Vertical Shiplap This one turned out beautiful! The vertical application made this guest-entrance mud bench feel grand. The Single Chevron Point Bench Accent Chevron is easier than herringbone to install (in our opinion), but the end result is just as satisfying. Watch the reel! So, next time you hear the word shiplap, don’t hate. Be inspired, get creative and snap out of the basic daze, because you now know there are carpenters who thrive on challenging the status quo. And for fun, here are some basic shiplap applications, too. Note: The three photos shown are from a Keller Homes project (now Toll Brothers) that was featured in the Colorado Springs Parade of Homes. Have you seen shiplap applied in a creative way? Let us know! And of course, if you have an idea for a future post or a question, please contact us.

Custom wine bars are fun to build! Why? Because no two are alike and, let’s face it, everybody loves them! Here are three wine bar projects that will fill your glass! 1. The Primary Bedroom Statement Wine Bar Yes, you read that correctly. This beauty is located in the primary bedroom of an amazing Stonegate Home. It serves as a divider space between sleeping and relaxing and hosts everything from wine to coffee. 2. The Mini Wine Room Wine rooms do not need to be excessive. A small closet or under-the-stairs space can easily be converted into a room displaying your collection. Plus, these spaces make it easy to access when you’re hosting guests. 3. The Full-Wall Feature Wine bars are a great statement piece! They are often a wow factor and a conversation starter. This two-tone (white oak and grey-painted) piece does both. If you’re located in Middle Tennessee and need a wine feature in your home, contact us! In the meantime, be sure to check out our Instagram account to see projects in action and our Amazon Storefront to access our favorite finds.

5 Meanings Behind the MT in MT Trim Co We’ve been asked a time or two, so what does MT stand for in MT Trim Co? Well, the truth is that it has multiple meanings. 1. Matthew Taylor Our Owner and Lead Carpenter Matthew Taylor Whiteis is also a musician. On stage, he drops his surname and uses Matthew Taylor. So MT naturally comes into play here, too! 2. Matt and Traci Traci is Matt’s wife and the “T” in MT Trim Co. She has her master’s degree in marketing and public relations and has worked as a marketing director for the past decade. She is primarily behind the scenes, but you’ll occasionally see her in content. 3. Middle Tennessee MT Trim Co is proud to serve the Middle Tennessee housing market solely. We fell in love with this area in 2013, and moved here from Colorado shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. 4. Mountains We miss our Colorado Mountains, but we take solace in the fact Mt. is also an abbreviation for the word mountain. Plus our new home is in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, elevation 683'. Of course, there isn’t actually a mountain in the town. 5. Music and Tools Music and tools. These two passions are at the core of what we do and what we love. And, if you want to support our passions, please follow MT’s music Instagram and check out our favorite tools via our Amazon Storefront. Want to work with us? Have an upcoming project or idea? Contact us today.