Ellipse II Table - The Story Behind its Creation

In 2002 I began to experiment with ideas on how to bend wood across complex three dimensional planes. In the course of doing this I inadvertently created a tapered elliptical cone shape that, at first glance, looked ideal for a dining table base.

After building a prototype of the cone my next challenge was making the top. After heeding advice to "keep it simple" I settled on a pure elliptical oval shape with bookmatched grain and flat edge apron. A 1" high stainless steel plinth was added to the underside of the base. The resulting table was finished in Tobacco Mahogany, and named the Ellipse Dining Table.



Although the resulting table looked OK, there was something about it that was just plain missing. What bothered me most was the finish - which was a basic chocolate/mocha/expresso brown. At the time this was a safe finish to use, because just about every professional in the interior design industry was using it in one form or another since it "went with everything".

One could probably credit Holly Hunt and Christian Liaigre with first introducing this look to the high end of the market in the 1990s. By the early 2000s, however, the finish was everywhere and I soon realized that to be the main problem. Namely, because of the finish this table was looking like everything else out there - even the cheap dross knock-offs that were now beginning to flood the market by the containerload from offshore.

By 2006 I decided to refine the design with some subtle changes. I began by using a wood called Nero Chaquiro, which is a lesser known species that comes from an FSC certified forest in Brazil. In addition to being certified as sustainably harvested the use of this wood also helps support an indigenous community living along the banks of the Amazon River by providing a tangible incentive for the peoples living there to manage their surrounding forest responsibly.

The main structure of the table was crafted out of FSC certified ply, which was also NAUF and CARB2 compliant due to the fact that there were no added urea formaldehydes in the glues and binders. To minimize the heaviness of the top the grain pattern was changed to sunburst and the edge profile became a deep undercut bevel. The stainless steel plinth was removed in lieu of a small convex inlay of Narra being added as a subtle detail. The resulting table was finished in a low-VOC water based urethane, and renamed the Ellipse II Table.





Taken together these changes created a more sculptural look to the design, and the response from the design community was tremendously positive. Our ability to custom tailor this design to meet the requirements of each individual client has since resulted in the Ellipse II Table becoming one of our most popular offerings today.

In October 2008 a custom commission of this table for interior designer Wendy Blount was even published in an issue of Metropolitan Home magazine.





Thanks to the positive response this article received, the table photo was subsequently republished in the book "Glamour: Making it Modern" by Michael Lassell.





Sustainable, Environmental, Eco Lifestyles, Healthy, All Natural, Home and Garden, Interior Design, Eco Friendly, Green Furniture, Green Furnishings, Green Designs, FSC Certified, Reclaimed Materials. Organic, LEED compliant, NAUF. CARB2, Bamboo, Natural Fibers. Non-Toxic, low-VOC, Non VOC, Natural Finishes.

A Custom Made Version of the Ellipse II Dining Table

Some time ago we received an inquiry to build a custom version of our Ellipse II Table. Apparently this client had seen and LOVED the elliptical version of our design, but asked if they could make some changes.

They asked if they could change the species of wood, the grain pattern of the top, the shape of the top, the overall size, the design of the base, the edge profile, and the finish. Oh, and could they also have this table made with extension leaves?

The answers to the questions were: Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes.


The first step in the process was to make a drawing of the proposed custom design, to clarify the proportions and give a clearer sense of what the finished table would look like.


After approval of drawings a finish sample was made to verify the wood and sheen. For this particular project we made the finish sample into a scale mock-up of the table edge profile, to give a better sense of what it would look like.


Upon approval of drawings and finish sample it was time to build the table.

The first step was to lay up the panels that would be made into the top, leaves and pedestal base.


With the table top cut top size it was time to glue on the 3" built-up edge. As you can see, there's truth to the saying that there are never enough clamps in a wood shop.


With the table edges clamped for the glue to dry it was time to make some interlocking ribs as a jig for the inside of the pedestal base.


Compound mitres were used to cut the plywood panels for the pedestal sides. These panels were then fitted around the jig to create the finished profile.


Applying the hardwood trim. More glue, and more clamps.


Additional hardwood ribs were secured to the underside of the top to give added rigidity to the cantilevered design. The dadoed cross rib shown here creates the pocket that will hold the extenders for the extension leaves.


The underside of the table, showing subtop and extender for leaf.


More clamps....


The woodwork is now complete. This view shows the extender closed.


The extender open.


The leaf set onto the extender.


The completed table, now ready for sanding and finishing.


The table base set into the dining room of the client's home.


The finished table, shown in plain sliced walnut with natural satin finish.

Wood Finish Samples as "Business Cards"

In my shop we always put an extra effort into sending high quality finish samples to our clients for approval. These samples are typically cut to 6" x 6" in size, and after all corners have been carefully sanded the backs are professionally lined with felt. Custom labels are then applied to identify the finish, project number, client name and date. Identical copies for use as control samples are kept on file for current and future reference.

On many occasions it has been suggested that we go a little overboard with the quality of our samples, but it has always been my belief that our clients appreciate this added attention to detail.

As a case in point, I received an email earlier today from clients we've previously made an Ellipse II Dining Table for. This table was sculpted out of FSC certified bamboo, and I've now learned that the sample we originally sent for approval has found new life as a wine coaster.

The email goes as follows:

Hi John,

Attached, please find a photo of your bamboo wood sample, which we repurposed as a coaster. It still has your label at its bottom and
thus serves as your "business card" readily available whenever
somebody asks where our furniture comes from. We figured we should share this with you so you know it's worth to make the samples so beautiful as you did them for us.

Cheers

"H" and "P"

Ellipse II Table - Sculpted From Bamboo

In a previous post I described the creative process behind making the Ellipse II Table out of bamboo.

Bamboo has been available to custom furniture makers in veneer and plywood form for a number of years. It's use as a "green" material, however, has not been without questions and controversy.

In simple terms bamboo is considered a sustainable alternative to wood because bamboo is actually a grass and not a wood. Ironically, as demand for bamboo has grown many forests in south-east Asia have ended up being cut down to make way for bamboo plantations. This reality can hardly be interpreted as protective of trees and forests.

In addition there have been many questions about herbicide and pesticide use on these plantations, as well as the use of urea formaldehyde glues in the making of bamboo ply. And this doesn't negate other questions having to do with issues of fair labour practices in the growing, harvesting and processing of bamboo as a material.

In recent years these issues have been addressed with the introduction of FSC certification to the bamboo marketplace.

Given this availability of FSC certified bamboo that is also NAUF and CARB2 compliant I decided in early 2010 to prototype a custom made version of the Ellipse II Table crafted exclusively from carbonized bamboo plywood. The actual material came from a company called Nadurra in Toronto.

The sculpted elliptical cone base was made from stacked laminated bamboo ply sheeting that was milled and sanded to achieve its final shape. The top was made from a full sheet of bamboo ply, with the corner offcuts being used to make the built up aprons for the undercut bevel edge.

All surfaces were then sanded smooth and rubbed in a low-VOC natural linseed oil finish.

The table as shown here was unveiled at the Green Living Show in Toronto in April, 2010.

It measures 60" long x 37" wide x 29" high.



The end grain effect of the bamboo on the tapered elliptical cone base is spectacular, don't you think?


Sustainable, Environmental, Eco Lifestyles, Healthy, All Natural, Home and Garden, Interior Design, Eco Friendly, Green Furniture, Green Furnishings, Green Designs, FSC Certified, Reclaimed Materials. Organic, LEED compliant, NAUF. CARB2, Bamboo, Natural Fibers. Non-Toxic, low-VOC, Non VOC, Natural Finishes.

Trump Hollywood Project - New Photos!

In an earlier post I described a custom furniture project we delivered to the Trump Hollywood in Florida. Imagine my surprise this week to get hold of additional photos of the completed space.

It turns out that our client received a new camera over the holidays, and as you can see from the following images he's learning to master the art of photography and lighting.



The Dining Room wall unit and server were made of Koto wood, with back panels finished in bronze mirror. For the recessed door pulls we created a custom bronze finish to complement the light fixtures.



The Ellipse II dining table has a custom made boat shaped top with proportioned diamond matched grain pattern. The top is cantilevered over a tapered elliptical cone pedestal base, with everything finished in a satin Cerused Walnut.



This photo is a particular favorite of mine, especially considering how difficult it is to pick details such as wood grain when photographing in low light conditions. Don't you love the ambiance of this space in evening light?



In the Master Bedroom the panelling and cabinetry were crafted from a highly figured sampling of taupe anigre.



Wires for the custom made Night Stand lights were discretely routed through bronze grommets and into channels hidden behind the drawers.



As you can see in this photo the interior designer did a remarkable job of coordinating the various finishes, colors and textures into a coherent whole.

Road Trip Delivery of Eco-Furniture to Orlando, Florida

In an earlier post I described a road trip to Hollywood, Florida during which we delivered custom furniture to a luxury condominium at the Trump Hollywood. This trip reminded me of another project we delivered to Orlando, Florida in May of this year.

My son Kevin accompanied me on this delivery and along the way we took a few hours break to catch an MLB baseball game at Turner Field, between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds.


Kevin is clearly looking forward to seeing the game.


After an 8 run 2nd inning by the Reds, including a grand slam by Joey Votto, it looked like the rout was on.


This guy is probably the most avid Braves fan around. He claims to have been to EVERY single Atlanta Braves home game (in the same seat at Turner Field) stretching back over 1000+ games. He's also a walking encyclopedia on baseball facts and trivia.


Expect the unexpected. In the bottom of the 9th the Braves rallied back from a 9-3 deficit with 7 runs, including a walk-off grand slam by Brooks Conrad to win the game 10-9. The place went nuts. It turns out this was only the 24th time in MLB history that this has happened, so we truly witnessed some history in the making.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100520&content_id=10236748&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb


Kevin with the Braves superfan, moments after the incredible come-from-behind victory. (Incidentally, at the end of the 8th I told Kevin that we couldn't leave yet because the Braves were going to come back and win via walk-off grand slam. Good call, Dad!)


The reason for the road trip: overseeing delivery of custom made eco-furniture to a home near Orlando, Florida. This bedroom furniture includes an Irenic Bed and Inamorata casegoods made of FSC certified wood (that is also NAUF and CARB2 compliant), non-UF glue and low-VOC water based finish that is doctor recommended even for those with chemical sensitivities. The mattress is made of natural latex. The finish on the furniture is glazed maple.


This natural cherry finished furniture is for the guest bedroom. Consisting of an Irenic Bed and Inamorata casegoods it is also made of FSC certified wood (that is also NAUF and CARB2 compliant), non-UF glue and low-VOC water based finish that is doctor recommended even for those with chemical sensitivities.


The custom Inamorata Boxer Chest is made of natural cherry with the drawer fronts being made of Curly Birds Eye Maple from my Core Stash. All drawer boxers are dovetailed solid maple (FSC certified) running on Blumotion self-closing linear ball bearing slides. The drawer pulls are satin nickel.


This set of 3 custom made Island Tables is made of Louro Preto. The inset of river stones on the Cayman Table has been covered with a custom tempered glass top, to keep the cat from using it as a litter box.


This Ellipse II Table has been custom made in bamboo. The top features a radiating sunburst pattern and the finish is a low-VOC water based urethane.

All in all I was highly impressed by the level of research the client put into this project to verify that every aspect of our work was as environmentally responsible as possible.


Celebrating a delivery gone well....fresh ingredients + stainless steel bowl + liquid nitrogen = best ice cream ever. This shameless plug is for a hidden gem called the Pure Magic Ice Cream company. It's located in Kissimmee, Florida. www.puremagicicecream.com


When your kid is too old for Disney World, the next best thing is a 'ghetto ride' in downtown Orlando.


'The Boy' is stoked.


With some time to ourselves we checked out a street festival in downtown Orlando. While walking around we stumbled into this custom chopper with its own built-in humidor and port bar. The chopper lured me inside the Corona Cigar Company, which turns out to be North America's largest walk-in humidor...boasting an inventory of 2,000,000 +/- cigars. It turns out that we inadvertently discovered the cigar afficionado's motherlode of Arturo Fuente's, Hemingways, Ashtons, and Diamond Crowns.


The obligatory photo of me with the chopper.


The Diamond Crown Cigar Lounge. Stocked with pre-embargo Cuban cigars and Prohibition-era rum, not to mention ice cold beer. With the outside temperature hovering around 92 degrees it made sense to chill out with a beer and a stogie in air conditioned comfort. We returned later to catch game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Final although, unfortunately, the Magic failed to show to play the Celtics that night. It was an enjoyable experience nonetheless - downtown Orlando is definitely a happening place on a Saturday night.