Interior Design Blog

Carpentry Articles

Interior design tips and inspiration on carpentry.

Best Wood for a Media Wall or Entertainment Center: Plywood, MDF, and Species Compared

The carcass and the show surfaces are two different material decisions. Plywood vs. MDF vs. particleboard, a species comparison from poplar to walnut with Janka hardness and relative cost, shelf span limits before sagging, rift-sawn vs. plain-sawn veneer and grain matching, what changes in a Maryland basement or over a fireplace, finishes that survive daily handling, and 2026 DMV cost per linear foot by specification.

Michael Johnson

November 5, 2026

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Custom Home Mandir Designer and Contractor in Maryland: Materials, Puja Cabinets, and Local Build Guide

October 16, 2026

12 min read

Custom Home Mandir Designer and Contractor in Maryland: Materials, Puja Cabinets, and Local Build Guide

iDesign has designed and built over a dozen home mandirs in Maryland in the last five years. Where the mandir goes, the three formats that fit DMV homes, the materials we specify for puja from Makrana and Vietnam white marble to Burma teak, sheesham and sandalwood, how to organize a puja cabinet, the best place to store diyas and scripture, and what changes between a Hindu mandir and a Jain gruh mandir.

By Michael JohnsonRead More

Scandinavian Kitchen Remodel in Maryland: Design, Cabinets, Flooring, 2026 Trends, and Cost

September 28, 2026

13 min read

Scandinavian Kitchen Remodel in Maryland: Design, Cabinets, Flooring, 2026 Trends, and Cost

What Scandinavian kitchen style is, the cabinets, flooring, and countertops that make it work, L-shaped, small, minimalist, and farmhouse layouts, 2026 trends, realistic Maryland cost ranges, and how iDesign master carpenters and authorized dealer relationships deliver it.

By Michael JohnsonRead More

Custom Entertainment Center in Washington, DC: Costs, Wall Types, and How to Get It Right

August 16, 2026

14 min read

Custom Entertainment Center in Washington, DC: Costs, Wall Types, and How to Get It Right

What a custom entertainment center really costs in Washington, DC in 2026, plus the TV height and sight-line math, what a row house masonry party wall changes about the build, when a DC permit is actually required, and the condo access rules that decide your schedule.

By Michael JohnsonRead More

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