Here's what has been coming through my Houston shop this year: new custom builds, careful repairs and a few restorations I'm proud of. Click any photo to enlarge it.
This page is my running showcase of recent work. Some of it is brand new, like a full set of custom cabinets. A lot of it is repair and restoration, because plenty of good furniture just needs someone who knows how to fix it right. Each project below has a short note about what I did. Recent favorites include turning a 9-foot antique church pew into a toy box for a little one, and making a pair of nightstands from three vintage Douglas fir doors. You can follow along with projects like that on my Facebook page.
If you have a piece that needs building, or one that needs saving, tell me about it or call 281-757-6846. For finished furniture I've built over the years, visit my custom furniture gallery.
The factory built this desk so the back would sit against a wall. My customer wanted the back to show, so I added custom wood trim to the plain back panel and stained it to match the rest of the desk. Now it looks finished from every side. If you have a piece that needs an alteration like this, I'm glad to talk it over.
I built this rustic Texas flag cornhole set here in my Houston shop, and it comes with the boards and the bags. If you want a locally built cornhole set, call or text me, and take a look at my games page for more.
This dining chair came into my shop with a completely shattered front leg. A simple repair wasn't an option, and because the chair is part of a full dining set, replacing the whole chair would have thrown off the look of the table. So I turned and shaped a new leg from scratch, matching the original's exact dimensions, taper and contours. I hand-sanded it to match the aged profile of the other chairs, custom-matched the stain, and finished it with a protective lacquer so it blends in with the original factory finish. It's secured with reinforced joinery, so the chair is back to full strength.
Three vintage Douglas fir doors came into my shop, and instead of letting them go to waste, I turned them into a custom pair of nightstands. I carefully stripped, took apart and prepared the decades-old fir, kept the original wood, knobs and latches, and found period-matching hinges to finish the build. The result is a functional, heirloom-quality bedroom set made to my client's vision.
This 9-foot antique church pew has quite a history. Decades after its church closed, a local gentleman gave it a second life in his barbecue restaurant. After he passed, his granddaughter inherited it, and after some time outdoors she brought it to me to give it a third chapter as a custom heirloom toy box for her 1-year-old. I took the weathered pew completely apart and stabilized the aged wood while keeping its natural character. I kept the classic pew profile and end caps and rebuilt the base into a deep storage box. The original seat became the lid, fitted with counterbalanced, soft-close safety hinges to protect little fingers. It's delivered now, ready to be a pirate ship, a train, a spaceship, and a family treasure for decades to come.
I recently restored this heavy antique walnut table right where it stands, which takes special techniques for a piece that can't come to the shop. It has a solid walnut base and a solid wood substrate. Because of its age, the walnut veneer is much thicker than modern veneers, which let me do a deeper, high-quality restoration that keeps its history and craftsmanship intact.
I was hired to restore this stunning Brazilian rosewood dining table. Over the years the original finish had completely failed and was hiding the wood's natural character. I carefully removed the old lacquer with a scraper and sandpaper to protect the delicate grain, then applied four coats of wipe-on polyurethane and sealed it with a premium finishing wax for lasting durability and a rich, hand-rubbed glow.
This solid wood desk top sat next to a window for a long time, and the intense Houston sun had badly faded and damaged the finish. I repaired and refinished it, bringing back the natural color, depth and protection of the wood. If you have a piece that's sun-damaged, scratched or just needs a fresh start, I can bring it back to life.
A custom cabinet for a Houston customer, built with an opening for a wine fridge that wasn't available yet when the cabinet was delivered. Three drawers across the top, a door on each side, and the space in the middle ready for the fridge.
A customer ordered a white oak nightstand, and this is his design. All solid wood, with a drawer, slatted sides and a lower shelf. This was a fun project. If you're looking for a custom piece, let's talk.
These solid cherry nightstands were a special order from a customer: a matching pair, each with a drawer and two open shelves.
A full run of custom cabinetry for a Houston client: an L-shaped counter, tall upper cabinets, open shelving and deep, smooth-running drawers, all finished in a soft taupe-gray. Built to fit the room, not the other way around.
A dent in a tabletop doesn't always mean refinishing the whole thing. Here I raised the damaged grain with steam and blended the spot back in so the table looks like itself again.
When an old stair or porch baluster breaks, you usually can't buy a match off the shelf. I turn a replacement to match the original profile.
This rocking chair came in loose and broken. I took it completely apart, repaired the joints, glued it back up tight and refinished it so it's ready for another generation of porch time.
Antique Globe-Wernicke stacking barrister bookcases are worth saving. This section got careful cleanup and repair while keeping its original maker's label and character.
A round plank tabletop turned into a proud Texas flag. It started as bare, primed boards and finished as a conversation piece.
If a piece has sentimental value or was well made to begin with, like an old rocking chair or an antique barrister bookcase, it's usually worth repairing. If you need something that fits a specific space or purpose, a new custom build is often the better route. I'm happy to look at photos and give you my honest opinion either way.
Yes. I repair and restore antique and heirloom furniture in Houston, such as rocking chairs and Globe-Wernicke barrister bookcases, and I aim to keep the original character of the piece.
Often, yes. Some dents can be raised with steam and blended in without refinishing the whole top. Send me a photo and I'll tell you what I'd recommend.
Yes. I build custom cabinetry, including base and upper cabinets, open shelving and drawers, designed to fit your room.
Call or text 281-757-6846 or use the contact form, and include a few photos of the piece and the damage.
Describe your idea, send a photo or just give me a call. Every piece is quoted individually based on size, wood and design.
Zelle or cash only · Serving Houston, TX and surrounding areas
Handcrafted custom furniture and functional art by Michael Shoup, serving Houston, TX and surrounding areas.
16920 Kuykendahl Rd. #102
Houston, TX 77090
Call or text 281-757-6846
[email protected]
Zelle or cash only