Custom Woodworking & Furniture Build Portfolio | Seth Mondragon

I don’t always have the time to do a full blog write up or list things in the proper category of my site, so this page gives you a quick look at some of my past work (in no particular order).  I have a wide range of custom projects in my portfolio which is a great way to continue growing and improving my skillset.

In my portfolio you’ll see carpentry and various woodworking techniques, some CNC work, and also metal and welding projects. Some of my portfolio pieces are personal projects for my own home, while others have been for client’s spaces, be it a residential, retail or commercial space. If you’re interested in a custom build for your own home or business, please contact me with some details and we can get the ball rolling. 

I look forward to hearing from you!

WALNUT FLOATING ENTRY BENCH + MATCHING SHELVES

This family wanted a floating bench in their little entry nook, for putting on shoes and other sitting-type tasks. They also decided they wanted to have matching shelves…one on the bottom for shoe storage and one up top for decor. After presenting them with a digital rendering of what it could look like, it got the green light and they loved the final result.

MODERN ACCENT WALL – CUSTOM TILES

This was a personal project for an accent wall in my home office (tv was mounted in the center at a later date). Using my Shapeoko CNC machine, I milled almost a hundred 12″x12″ tiles out of MDF. I made 4 different variations of the tiles and attached them to the wall, changing the orientation of them as I attached them. Overall wall size is approximately 12ft wide x 8ft tall.

ROUND BLACK NESTING TABLES

This is a set of round nesting tables for a local salon to display merchandise. Created using solid red oak, stained black. The bottom edge of each table top is beveled, as is the top edge of each base, creating a v-groove. Includes leveling feet to help adapt to uneven floors.

RESTAURANT OUTDOOR DINING PATIO FENCE

This restaurant needed a fence to help define the outdoor dining space. I created the custom vertical supports by welding long flanges to 2″ square tubing and a short flange to the bottom. Vertical supports are powder coated. Cedar slats attach to the long flanges using appropriate screws. Matching plastic caps/plugs finish off the top end of the support posts. Digital rendering is seen on the left, actual build in on the right!

RUSTIC INDUSTRIAL STEEL + WOOD CROSS

Using angle steel cutoffs from one project and some reclaimed wood from another project, I created this cross home decor item.  The metal and wood give it the rustic industrial look while the angles keep it modern and contemporary.

MODERN STEEL + WOOD HANGING SHELVES

Modern hanging shelves for a young couple’s kitchen remodel.  Clean lines, minimal, modern and industrial.  I welded the frame using steel and milled down some walnut for the shelf inserts.

WAITING AREA RESTAURANT BENCH

Outdoor restaurant bench/take-out waiting area seating.  Designed to fit into the existing patio for Wokou Ramen + Yakitori in Carmel Valley, this bench is made of western red cedar with steel black powder coated bases/legs.  The “L” shape of the bench flows seamlessly along the inside corner of the patio.

RUSTIC WOOD ART + DECOR

Reclaimed wood art/decor.  Various sizes, shapes and color schemes to accommodate a variety of customers.  Can be done as individual wall hangings, or make an impact in your space with a full-blown feature wall, table tops or bar front.

BOUTIQUE RETAIL DISPLAY TIERED SHELF

Multi-level tiered shelf for a new salon in Del Mar, California.  Shelves used for displaying products and literature, while the full extension drawer can be used to store overstock merchandise.  This particular piece is maple with white laminate drawer front but can be commissioned in other woods and laminate colors.

RESTAURANT SEATING CUSTOM BOOTH + TABLE BUILD

Custom build for Wokou Ramen + Yakitori restaurant.  They’re opening their second location, this one in Pacific Beach (San Diego) and hired me to build a large custom booth as well a dozen table bases and table tops, and also a matching hostess stand.  Here are some rendering I created to show my client, as well as some “in progress” photos.

Welded booth frame with wood slats, as well as welded hostess stand frame with 3D logo on the front and steel menu basket on the side.  Wood pattern to match the table tops.  Steel table bases as well.  All steel painted black.

My work for the Wokou PB job is now complete and the pieces are delivered but there are construction delays which means I can’t get in there and assemble the booth and mount the table tops.  I will update with more photos as soon as I can.

MID CENTURY MODERN INSPIRED WALNUT SIDE TABLE

Drawing inspiration from mid century modern furniture, I designed this piece which I’ve named the Zelo Side Table.  This particular version is solid walnut with a brass accent to keep literature/magazines/etc in place.  I’m currently half-way through a custom order of a Zelo Side Table made from solid wenge, which is turning out beautifully and I’m planning to build a very unique, absolutely one of a kind version as well.  I can also make these using other woods.

BAR STOOLS + LOUNGE TABLES for GOLDEN ROAD BREWERY

When Golden Road Brewery was opening a new location inside the Staples Center in Los Angeles, I was contact by the interior designer on the project to build 30+ barstools and a few low lounge tables.

RESTAURANT BAR STOOL + DINING CHAIR MAKEOVER, MADERO’S CARMEL VALLEY

Madero’s new location in Carmel Valley had a bunch of bright blue barstools and dining chairs from a previous owner, and they wanted to change the color and fabric to go with the new vibe of the space.  My wife and I gave the stools and chairs (48 in all) a makeover by sanding down the old blue and then I sprayed them in a satin/semi-gloss black, 3 coats each, sanding between each coat.  While I was spraying, my wife was re-covering the seats with the new fabric they provided.

COLORFUL EPOXY COATED RUSTIC WOOD TABLE TOPS

Reclaimed wood table tops with a geometric pattern for Barona Casino’s Employee Dining Room.  Using the colors they requested, and a custom branding iron with the Barona Casino logo we’ve built over 100 of these table tops ranging in size and shape from 24×36, 30×30, 48-inch rounds, 60-inch rounds, and also 12ft by 2ft.  To finish, each top received multiple applications of epoxy resin for durability.

The following table tops are some of the Barona table tops before we added the color and the epoxy resin.  They look just as great when left as wood tones too!

MODERN SLATTED BENCH

Modern slatted bench constructed of multiple layers of high grade baltic birch plywood with walnut dowels throughout.

FEATURE WALL BACKDROP + LIGHTED SIGN FOR ZELO PHOTOGRAPHY

Feature wall/backdrop for Zelo Photography trade show booth.  3-section design that bolts together in the back and is assembled and disassembled every time Zelo Photography participates in a bridal show/trade show.  Custom LED lighted sign also mounts into the middle section of the backdrop and the power cord feeds through the backside.

REDWOOD + HOGWIRE FENCE

This is a custom fence I built for a local family to separate their backyard space from their chicken coop space.  Fence is made from redwood and heavy duty hog wire.

BOUTIQUE CLOTHING STORE RETAIL DISPLAY

Fun little retail display for children’s clothing.  Features a bar for hanging items on hangers as well as a platform to display folded or boxed merchandise.  Built from high grade baltic birch plywood.

GEOMETRIC SERVING BOARD

Geometric shaped serving board, with a bit of a mid-century modern vibe.  Made of solid walnut with a minimal brass accent and hole for hanging.

MODERN WOOD + CONCRETE FLOOR LAMP

Modern minimalist floor lamp.  The wood on this particular version is poplar with a concrete base.  Lampshade is a repurposed metal wastebasket and has a 7-ft herringbone pattern cloth covered power cord.

Farmhouse Style Table Top For Scamp Travel Trailer

After seeing the renovation my wife and I did with our 1987 Scamp travel trailer, I had a customer request a custom table top for their travel trailer.  I built it in somewhat of a farmhouse table style, using breadboard ends and custom distressing before coloring it in a warm gray/brown tone.  No travel trailer?  No problem!  I can also do this full size maybe for a coffee table, dining table, desk, etc.

Quick Portfolio

Stuff Seth Makes specializes in woodworking and is known for creating unique handmade home decor items as well as custom rustic and modern style furniture.  Based in Escondido, California but available for nationwide commissions.

LET’S GET SOCIAL