10 Inspiring Projects from 2025

Every year, the ever-growing Woodland Mills community is filled with some of the most impressive woodworking projects around, and this past year was no different. In 2025, sawyers from around the world shared photos and stories that were meaningful, creative, and deeply personal. From remote lodges and family heirlooms to practical shop upgrades and works of art, the following are great examples of what happens with the right tools and a vision.

Casey; Building LoliOli Lodge in Remote Alaska

Casey has been working toward his dream of running LoliOli Lodge in Alaska for years, and in 2025 that vision continued to take shape. Located on a private island on Shirley Lake, Alaska, the lodge is truly off the grid. After flying over the property for nearly a decade, Casey and his family took the leap and decided to share this special place with the world.
Using his HM126 sawmill, which he flew into the site along with his Multilander trailer, Casey milled all of the lumber onsite from beetle-kill spruce trees. Even the gravel for the concrete foundations came from the property itself. Built with the help of family and friends, LoliOli Lodge is a testament to determination, resourcefulness, and community. Casey now has a place to host those looking for unforgettable experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.

Nick; A Desk That Doubles as Art

Nick put his HM130MAX to work milling high-grade lumber for a desk that’s anything but ordinary. Rather than hiding the natural cracking in the wood, he embraced it, seeing beauty in imperfection and letting the wood tell its own story. Using inlays to stitch the material together, the result is a desk that feels more like a piece of fine art than office furniture.
Never one to waste good material, Nick continues to collect and save standout pieces of wood for future builds.

Kevin; The Ultimate Backyard Playhouse

Kevin took on a project that is as much about fun as it is craftsmanship. Ask any kid and they will tell you that this is one heck of a playhouse. Built with lumber milled on his HM130MAX, it was designed to be a space where imagination can run wild. While the main build is complete, Kevin has plans to add soffits, electrical work, and interior paneling later this year.

Karlos; An Ash Clock with Woven Details

Karlos is no stranger to making beautiful décor from all of the lumber that he pulls off of his HM126. So, when he needed a clock, there was no way he was going to buy one. He chose some ash lumber and built a completely unique clock. Instead of painting the hours onto the face, he drilled holes and wove hemp rope directly into the wood, creating texture and depth.

Chuck; A Rocking Bassinet for His Grandson

Few projects carry as much meaning as when they are made for a loved one. Chuck’s rocking bassinet, built for his new grandson, is made from spalted hickory milled on his HM126. To complete the piece, Chuck’s wife sewed a custom quilt, adding another layer of love and care. The bassinet is both sturdy and beautiful, designed to be passed down. 

Adam; A Whimsical Garden Fence

Adam installed a custom fence around his customer’s garden using lumber milled on his HM130MAX. Featuring live-edge vertical boards and a matching gate, the fence has an imaginative, almost storybook feel that perfectly frames the space. Adam ended up with one happy customer. 

Shane; A Tribute to East Coast History

Inspired by the brightly painted homes of Saint John, New Brunswick (often called “Jellybean Row”) Shane built a 24-foot decorative façade as a tribute to East Coast history. The vibrant colours were originally used to help fishermen spot their homes through the fog, and Shane brought that tradition to life using lumber milled on his HM126.
With a new powerhead on his mill, a vision from his wife, and help from his father-in-law, the project quickly became reality. While more fine details are still to come, the piece already stands as a fun, meaningful nod to maritime heritage.

Edward; Giving New Life to Rotten Walnut

Edward found beauty where others might only see firewood. Using partially rotten walnut cookies that he cut on his HM126, he carefully removed the decayed interior with a Dremel tool, working into tight spaces to preserve each unique shape. Custom-cut mirrors were then fitted into the voids, transforming the pieces into striking décor. Way to make the most of material that would have otherwise gone to waste!

Aaron; A Custom Tool Organizer

Aaron tackled shop organization with a custom-built tool organizer designed specifically for his DeWalt power tools and batteries. Using lumber he milled himself on his HM122, he mounted the tools at a 45-degree angle so they wouldn’t stick out as far from the wall.
For little more than the cost of fuel and oil, Aaron now has a cleaner, more efficient workspace.

Rob; A Firewood Shed Built to Last

With plans for a dedicated firewood shed in mind, Rob hopped on his HM130MAX to get the supplies he would need. The finished structure is not only functional but aesthetically pleasing to boot. Now his firewood stays protected from the elements, looks neat and tidy, and he has some more experience to carry into future projects.

Join the Community

These projects are just a snapshot of what the Woodland Mills community accomplished in 2025. From remote Alaskan lodges to backyard builds and artistic experiments, each project reflects the passion and creativity of sawyers who love working with their hands.

Want to see the original conversation for a specific build? Explore each project below:

• Casey – Building LoliOli Lodge in Remote Alaska
• Nick – A Desk That Doubles as Art
• Kevin – The Ultimate Backyard Playhouse
• Karlos – An Ash Clock with Woven Details
• Chuck – A Rocking Bassinet for His Grandson
• Adam – A Whimsical Garden Fence
• Shane – A Tribute to East Coast History
• Edward – Giving New Life to Rotten Walnut
• Aaron – A Custom Tool Organizer
• Rob – A Firewood Shed Built to Last

To see more builds, share your own, and connect with fellow sawyers, join the Woodland Mills Product Owners & Community Facebook group and be part of the inspiration.