DRedshot's Models (+ New Models)

[DRedshot]

thanks for the feedback streetboat, later today I might do a couple of improvements, such as smoothing the corners and little chips in the wood. I wouldn't know where to start with warps in the wood, would I need to make a new texture?
Also, when you make a mesh, do you make the full mesh first, and then add detail, or do you make the detail as you go along?
Also one more question. How do you know how big to make the mesh in maya? my shelf is about twice the size it should be? do you import a template mesh from the game or something else??