Kevin Stevens

Kevin Stevens

Originally from Michigan, I moved to Colorado in 1991 to be closer to the mountains that I love. Colorado has always been a destination for my rock climbing, skiing, hiking and backpacking pursuits. As a father of two young daughters I don’t get out quite as much any more, but I’m still fairly active.

I hold a Master’s degree in Biology and spent a dozen years working as an Engineering Specialist in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. I have also been a custom furniture builder and woodworker for over 30 years. About 10 years ago, I left the corporate world and started my own carpentry business, this career change stemmed from a 960 sq. ft. addition to my home I which I performed all but the basic “dry in” tasks. Here I found a passion and skill set that had been hidden away. In addition to basic handyman tasks I specialize in custom furniture, tile and hardwood flooring, kitchens, baths and decks.

Over the last few years I have become involved in the tiny house movement and I’m making changes to live a simpler lifestyle. We recently purchased over 40 acres of land in northern New Mexico and are building a small (200 sq. ft.) off-grid cabin there. Our long-term plans are to relocate / retire there and build a slightly larger off-grid home.

When I'm not up to my elbows in sawdust, I enjoy cooking, and photography. Time lapse and true infrared are a couple of my favorites in the photography realm. Another recent pursuit of mine is target shooting. I picked up a black powder muzzle-loading pistol a few years ago, and since then my collection has expanded a bit. My father is a 20 + year veteran of the police force, and we now share some of our spare time together shooting. He taught me to shoot all of those years ago and it has been fun to reconnect on that level with him.

Thanks for reading. You can follow some of my adventures on my blog pages.

http://kmswoodworks.wordpress.com

My coffee roaster, with beans before and after.

I Roast My Own Coffee Beans, and So Can You

Posted by Kevin Stevens | Jan 10, 2012

In our home we start the morning with our signature drink, the Maple Cappuccino. It’s a regular cappuccino with dash of real maple syrup added to the bottom of the cup. As our...

Roof damage in my town.

On the Front Range of the Rockies, Roofing Suffers

Posted by Kevin Stevens | Jan 05, 2012

As a 20 year resident of the Front Range, I have seen my share of weather-related roofing issues. Colorado can be a nice sunny warm place on one day, only to be thrown to the wolves...

My own woodstove fire --Kevin

Keeping the Home Fire Burning, Safely

Posted by Kevin Stevens | Jan 03, 2012

A fireplace can provide ambiance, warmth and a bit of style to a home. It can also be a liability if not properly maintained or operated. For instance, the tragic Christmas fire in...

Morguefile.com

Fixing Drafty Windows the Common Sense Way

Posted by Kevin Stevens | Dec 20, 2011

It's simple, but often ignored advice: Fix your drafty windows. You're paying for heat. Do you want to see your money drift out the window? I don't think so. I'll explain the easiest...

Lorna Mitchell/flickr

Tips for Consuming Less During the Holidays

Posted by Kevin Stevens | Dec 07, 2011

A few weeks before Thanksgiving, one of my daughters announced that she needed to pick up a “Secret Santa” gift for one of her upcoming Girl Scout events. This announcement...

KMS Woodworks

Iron Stair Baluster Installation

Posted by Kevin Stevens | Nov 30, 2011

Are you looking to replace your current wood stair balusters with iron ones? (In case you're wondering, balusters are the uprights that support your stair railings and keep children...

Glenda Otero/stock.xchng

10 Steps to Simpler Living

Posted by Kevin Stevens | Nov 15, 2011

When chatting with some friends or clients, it's not uncommon to hear them say that they are envious of my "simpler life." My response is generally that what is perceived as "simple"...

Photo by the author.

Home, Home on the Shooting Range

Posted by Kevin Stevens | Nov 07, 2011

It has been almost 2 years since I bought my first firearm. I learned to shoot as a teen using some of the guns my father owned. He was a police officer and competed on the police's...

A tile accent wall by the author, KMS Woodworks (Kevin Stevens)

13 Unusual Place to Tile

Posted by Kevin Stevens | Nov 02, 2011

The most common places to install tile in the home are in the bathroom. Where else can a home add some style and durability from a tile installation? The possibilities are endless....

Deborah Finnell/stock.xchng

Landscaping: 12 Classic Outdoor Toys for the Young at Heart

Posted by Kevin Stevens | Oct 10, 2011

When I was a kid, I remember playing in a tire swing that hung from a large walnut tree in my grandfather's yard. We had just moved into our new ranch-style home in a subdivision being...