WATCH AND LEARN

After 20 years of starting and completing some 200 varied and assorted woodworking projects, Norm Abram had to think of something (in the words of Ed Sullivan) "really big" to begin his 20th anniversary season of "The New Yankee Workshop."

"I've been thinking about this for years and was just waiting for the right time," said Abram. "This was the right time."

And that right time is for Abram to build a dream kitchen entirely in the shop, the most ambitious project he has ever attempted on his show. Beginning Saturday at 4:30 p.m. on local PBS station KLVX, Abram begins a building process using innovative materials and hardware, while embodying the New Yankee aesthetic of marrying the best of what technology offers with timeless design. The end result is a custom kitchen built within the walls of the New Yankee Workshop.

Over the course of the nine-part series, viewers will get a step-by-step look at what they will need to build their own kitchen -- from creating a temporary paint shop space in the garage to the best in materials and hardware, and, finally, a step-by-step guide through the installation process.

"Improving an existing kitchen is one of the best investments any homeowner can make, and it will certainly give you a return on your investment," said Abram. "This is not about construction. It's about cabinetry and having an option between high-end custom or off-the-shelf cabinet models."

With custom kitchens costing between $40,000 and $100,000, Abram wanted to offer viewers an alternative to purchasing stock cabinets or going custom by giving them the confidence to build their own. The kitchen will have an island, a bar area and a small home office tucked away in the corner. There is minimal mechanical and engineering work as Abram is basically replacing a tired looking kitchen with new cabinets.

"I don't expect people to build exactly what I'm building," he said. "It's more inspirational so they can think about it and if they do get inspired, know what to prepare for and how to do it. Viewers will see that the dishwasher, sink and range are all in the same place so there was minor plumbing and electrical work, and no architectural adjustments such as moving walls or windows. This is how to build a new set of kitchen cabinets with minor layout changes."

Abram begins by identifying the must-have elements in today's kitchens, and offering tips and techniques for do-it-yourselfers who have a moderately equipped home shop. He demonstrates everything from the process of constructing a typical base cabinet with a beaded-face frame and inset molded doors, to building a dovetail drawer box with high-tech slides.

He also addresses how to build the key areas that are found in today's kitchen, such as hot wall cabinetry to accommodate a double oven, range and range hood. In addition, there is a program about the wet wall featuring the necessary cabinets around the sink and dishwasher. From there, he looks at what goes into other key elements such as a pantry, bar, kitchen office and island, the new heart of any working kitchen.

Abram said anyone deciding to rebuild a kitchen should do several things before lifting that hammer and saw.

"Measure everything and then measure again," he said. "Those measurements must be accurate and maybe to play it safe, add an extra half inch. Next, make sure you have good material, good hardware and good technique. I'm here to assist with the technique."

Abram is proud of the thousands of letters and photos he receives from viewers who share their woodworking projects with him. He continues to be impressed by the large number of women involved in do-it-yourself projects, and derides the misconception that you can't do anything without expensive tools.

"It just takes time," he said. "I believe people will be surprised that if they start a project and complete it, he or she will discover a tremendous sense of accomplishment and pride. And that will probably lead to picking up the tools again with the inspiration to start and complete another project. Just let it grow naturally."

At the end of the kitchen series, Abram devotes four additional shows to New Yankee furniture projects.