A dog kennel is her command...

Our home decor, being in a 1980s, coastal Texas home, tends to be somewhat southwestern / rustic. And I have been given a commission by my wife to build a fitting dog kennel that will blend into the home decor.

Now I have been looking around, and doing some measuring, and taking into consideration the overall size of hte dog, and size of available dog bedding, space needed etc... and I am coming up with a design.

Our dog is a lab / beagle mix breed, about 50lbs, mid size dog.... After reviewing the kennel we have for him, the bed we have for him, and standards from both the ASPCA, and the AKC, I decided to design the kennel around interior volume and work out.

I went into sketchup, and made a box, 24" wide x 24" high x 32" deep. I then laid out 1.5x 1.5 uprights 28" tall. Cut in mortises 1/2" up and 1/2" in from the corners, 1" long and 1/4" wide 1/2" deep.

Spreaders, across the front and back are 24" wide,2" high and of 3/4" stock. Tenones are 1" x 1/4 and 1/2" long centered on the ends. Sides are the same but 32" long. Bottom spreaders have a curve with a rise of 1/2", and a 1/2 H x 3/8" D rabbet to accept the bottom panel which will be simply cut to size and stained plywood. Upper spreaders have a 1/4x1/4" slot 1/4" down from the top edge to accept the top clips.

I am still working on deciding the size and spacing of the slats, and design the door.

I am considering making contrasting pyramid buttons as an added Greene and Greene style touch, but haven't finalized the idea yet.

The top will be simply a breadboard type top, made from the best / widest matching stock I can source.

I am considering deviating somewhat significantly from the norm from Mission style though since most of it I have seen is either oak, pine, or most commonly maple. I want to do mine with contrasting woods, primarily Walnut with Pecan for the accent, most likely the slats door catch, and pyramid buttons.

Time to start sifting through the lumber rack, and start prepping stock! I don't have to have anything but, but I really ought to get my stock S4S at this time!