Retired carpenter fills his home with homemade wooden furniture, toy models
Adrianne Uphold/Observer-Reporter
Donald Phillips stands with his collection of handmade wooden items, including dump trucks, an airplane and more.
Adrianne Uphold/Observer-Reporter
Donald Phillips’ collection includes about 30 different wooden items.
Adrianne Uphold/Observer-Reporter
The airplane that Donald Phillips made has a wingspan of 42 inches.
Adrianne Uphold/Observer-Reporter
Donald Phillips made this wooden model of a battleship.
Almost everything inside the home of retired carpenter Donald Phillips was made by hand.
From models of dump trucks, end tables, picture frames and the kitchen cabinets, Phillips has transformed his home with his wood collections.
“I’ve been a carpenter all my life and when we moved into this home 18 years ago I got that Wood Magazine and started to make the toys,” Phillips said. Walking into Phillips’ home, you’re met with a collection of over 30 wooden toys. These range from dump trucks and a military cargo airplane to a bike and battleships.
A bulldozer is what started the 81-year-old on making his collection.
“My two great-grandsons got a kick out of it,” Phillips said. Logan, 7, and Hunter, 8, come to visit Phillips, sometimes taking a toy or two with them. “I tell them to pick what they want. I enjoy making them and making things for other people.”
Phillips uses Wood Magazine for his inspiration. There are instructions and a list of the materials it takes to make each model.
“Well, it’s not that difficult once you get a hold of the instructions,” Phillips said. “It takes a lot of time, but I enjoy putting it together.”
The models are filled with different little pieces, each glued together with wood glue. Phillips said he uses a table saw to make all of his projects.
Phillips grew up in Pleasant Grove, later moving to Washington in 1997 with his wife, Cleo. After Cleo died in August 2017, Phillips continued building his collection.
Homemade picture frames filled with pictures of Phillips family members line the walls inside his home. He pulled out the old kitchen cabinets, replacing them with drawers so it was easier to go through them.
“Ever try to go through your mom’s junk drawer on your knees in her kitchen? It’s not easy.”