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

marisadukowitz/Flickr

End Grain Hardwood Floor Tiles

Posted by Kevin Stevens | Jul 07, 2011

End grain floor tiles have a lovely, distinctive look, yet are one of the most durable flooring materials you can buy. These square, brick-shaped, or hexagonal tiles are natural wood,...

Photo and tile/carpentry work by Kevin Stevens of KMS Woodworks.

Bathroom Tile, at Different Heights

Posted by Kevin Stevens | Jun 30, 2011

How high should you tile your bathroom walls? Floor to ceiling is chic, but tile wainscotting also makes an impact. This guide will help you decide how high to tile in your bat...

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The Right Floor for Your Outdoor Living Room

Posted by Kevin Stevens | Jun 23, 2011

There's a fine line between a deck or patio and an outdoor living room. In many homes, the boundary between indoor and outdoor space is blurry, and dining and lounging move outdoors...

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Wood Veneers Guide

Posted by Kevin Stevens | Jun 17, 2011

Many people have heard the expression that “beauty is only skin deep.” In the world of woodworking and cabinetry, this “beauty” is often a thin layer of wood...

lizdinovella/flickr

Three Reasons Why Rooftop Decks are Complicated to Build

Posted by Kevin Stevens | Jun 14, 2011

Every few years a news story pops up about some building that has collapsed due to snow load on its flat roof. So when a homeowner thinks about adding a rooftop deck, scary images of...

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Secrets of Wall-Mounting Book Shelves

Posted by Kevin Stevens | Jun 07, 2011

Anyone who's helped a friend move has most likely learned a few things. The first is that they may not volunteer again soon, and the other is that books are heavy. By nature, bookcases...

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Easy Spring Window Maintenance

Posted by Kevin Stevens | May 26, 2011

With the onset of warmer spring and summer weather, one task that I always perform is a check up and cleaning of my home’s windows. This cleaning removes the winter’s accumulation...

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Do You Need a Roofing Warranty?

Posted by Kevin Stevens | May 24, 2011

Most roofing projects are pretty extensive and the cost to hire a contractor for a roof replacement can run to thousands of dollars. With such a huge investment in your home, it’s...

ilovebutter/flickr

Painting: Choosing a Paint Scraper

Posted by Kevin Stevens | May 17, 2011

When it comes to a good paint job, nothing will improve the quality of the finished product better than solid preparation. Removing loose and peeling paint can be done with a variety...

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Roofing: Asbestos Removal Costs

Posted by Kevin Stevens | May 12, 2011

No one would consider using a material that contains asbestos today. Back in the 1930s to the 1970s, though, asbestos was considered practical -- even desirable -- due to its great...