Norm Abram has built dozens of dazzling projects in “The New Yankee Workshop” in the past two decades. Below are some of his favorites for the beginner. For plans and videos, go to www.newyankee.com.

BOSTON -- Norm Abram may be television's most unlikely star. Instead of Hollywood leading-man looks, the host and master carpenter of "This Old House" and the PBS series "The New Yankee Workshop" has ...