From Sketches to Surrounds: How Fireplace Designs Turned an Idea into a Growing Business

I want to share a story close to my heart—our journey from a simple idea to a thriving business, all sparked by a simple question and a bit of digital magic for fireplace design.

The Unexpected Beginning

It all started with a casual comment on a job site. My husband, a finish carpenter, had crafted a fireplace surround for a home remodel. One day, a friend stopped by, admired the work, and asked, “How much would you charge me for something like that?”

At first, he thought it was a joke. But his friend was serious. He was remodeling his den and wanted something similar.  He wanted to see our fireplace designs.  The truth is we had no designs, but that conversation planted a seed.

Taking the Leap

That evening, over dinner, we talked about the possibility of turning this idea  into something more. He had always dreamed of running his own business, but the risks felt daunting. After some back and forth, we decided to do it. He would build the fireplace surround for his friend, and we’d see where it led.

Not long after, another person approached him with a similar request. Word was spreading, and we soon got calls from all over. What started as a weekend project quickly turned into a full-fledged endeavor.

The Design Challenge

As demand grew, so did the complexity of our designs. Each fireplace surround was unique, with intricate details like corbels, moldings, and columns. I have an artistic background, so I took on the woodworking design work. But using basic tools like Microsoft Paint and Excel was time-consuming and limiting.

We needed something better.

Discovering SketchList 3D

That’s when we found SketchList 3D. Unlike other fireplace designs software, SketchList was intuitive and tailored for woodworkers. I could create 3D models, adjust dimensions, and visualize the final product—all in one place.

The best part? I could save components like columns and moldings into a library, making future designs faster and more efficient.  Really, there are just a handful of stock items make up most of a job’s fireplace design.

Streamlining the Process

With SketchList 3D for our fireplace design, I could quickly generate and share designs with clients. They could see exactly what their fireplace surround would look like, leading to quicker approvals and fewer revisions.

Production became more streamlined too. While we considered investing in a CNC machine, we were hesitant about the cost. Instead, we partnered with local job shops that offered CNC services, allowing us to maintain quality without the hefty investment.

Reflecting on the Journey

Looking back, it’s incredible to see how far we’ve come. It’s been a rewarding journey from a simple request on a job site to a business that’s brought us joy and fulfillment.

SketchList 3D played a pivotal role in our success. It transformed our fireplace design process, saved us time, and helped us deliver high-quality results to our clients.

If you’re a woodworker looking to streamline your design process, I highly recommend trying SketchList 3D. It might be the tool you need to take your craft to the next level.

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