The purpose of this table was to provide an elevated playing surface for a stone chess board the client already had.
The resulting table was crafted from a bundle of quarter cut figured Walnut veneer.
Showing posts with label custom made furniture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label custom made furniture. Show all posts
Monday, January 9, 2012
Custom Chess Table
A few months ago we received a request to make a Bow Tie Pedestal Table in a custom size of 19-5/8" long x 19-5/8" deep x 20" high.
The purpose of this table was to provide an elevated playing surface for a stone chess board the client already had.
The resulting table was crafted from a bundle of quarter cut figured Walnut veneer.
The purpose of this table was to provide an elevated playing surface for a stone chess board the client already had.
The resulting table was crafted from a bundle of quarter cut figured Walnut veneer.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Custom End Table for a Ski Lodge
A few months ago an interior designer from Utah called expressing interest in Kevin's Portage Cocktail Table design.
The designer wanted to know if the table could be resized as an End Table measuring 24" x 24" x 24" high. In addition, she said that the satin black plinth and stainless steel offsets would need to be changed to an antique bronze finish, in order to meld with other pieces in the existing decor of a mountain ski lodge.
After finalizing the details with drawings for approval we began work on the table. The timeline was short, since the table had to be delivered in time for a large party taking place just before Christmas.
The antique bronze offsets and plinth were fabricated from a heavy gauge of cold rolled steel, and sent to a nearly plating shop for finishing.
The main body of the table was crafted from a spectacular bundle of reclaimed quartered Walnut veneer, that had a slight fiddleback pattern to the grain.
Drilling the holes for the offsets had to wait until the metal components arrived, in order to ensure a tight custom fit.
This image shows a detail of the top corner of the table, highlighting one of the antique bronze insets as well as the beaded corner inlay.
The above image shows the completed table. A last minute revision was made to use extra heavy 5/8" (16 mm) glass for the top, to complement the masculine proportions of the design.
After final inspection the table was wrapped and crated for shipping. Because of its relatively small size it was possible to ship the package in an economical manner via ground courier to the final destination.
The table arrived just in time for the party, and by all accounts it was well received.
The designer wanted to know if the table could be resized as an End Table measuring 24" x 24" x 24" high. In addition, she said that the satin black plinth and stainless steel offsets would need to be changed to an antique bronze finish, in order to meld with other pieces in the existing decor of a mountain ski lodge.
After finalizing the details with drawings for approval we began work on the table. The timeline was short, since the table had to be delivered in time for a large party taking place just before Christmas.
The antique bronze offsets and plinth were fabricated from a heavy gauge of cold rolled steel, and sent to a nearly plating shop for finishing.
The main body of the table was crafted from a spectacular bundle of reclaimed quartered Walnut veneer, that had a slight fiddleback pattern to the grain.
Drilling the holes for the offsets had to wait until the metal components arrived, in order to ensure a tight custom fit.
This image shows a detail of the top corner of the table, highlighting one of the antique bronze insets as well as the beaded corner inlay.
The above image shows the completed table. A last minute revision was made to use extra heavy 5/8" (16 mm) glass for the top, to complement the masculine proportions of the design.
After final inspection the table was wrapped and crated for shipping. Because of its relatively small size it was possible to ship the package in an economical manner via ground courier to the final destination.
The table arrived just in time for the party, and by all accounts it was well received.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Television Interview with Howard Green of BNN
A few weeks ago a producer from Business News Network (BNN) called asking me to participate in an interview entitled "The Business of Craftmanship".
The focus of the segment was to discover how people can turn the craft of making things into an actual business, and in addition to me discussing the craft of fine furniture making there were also interviews with custom guitar maker William "Grit" Laskin, and shoemaker-to-the-stars John Fluevog.
The interview took place last Tuesday at a gallery in Toronto called Industrial Storm, and it would be an understatement to say that I was incredibly nervous going in.
Thankfully the show's host Howard Green was incredibly professional and easy going, and his friendly, relaxed demeanor worked wonders setting me at ease before the interview began.
Howard's interview with me can be seen at the following link:
http://watch.bnn.ca/headline/#clip590938
Meanwhile Howard's interview with William "Grit" Laskin is here, and the interview with John Fluevog is here.
The focus of the segment was to discover how people can turn the craft of making things into an actual business, and in addition to me discussing the craft of fine furniture making there were also interviews with custom guitar maker William "Grit" Laskin, and shoemaker-to-the-stars John Fluevog.
The interview took place last Tuesday at a gallery in Toronto called Industrial Storm, and it would be an understatement to say that I was incredibly nervous going in.
Thankfully the show's host Howard Green was incredibly professional and easy going, and his friendly, relaxed demeanor worked wonders setting me at ease before the interview began.
Howard's interview with me can be seen at the following link:
http://watch.bnn.ca/headline/#clip590938
Meanwhile Howard's interview with William "Grit" Laskin is here, and the interview with John Fluevog is here.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
The "Big Ass" Desk
About a year ago we received a request for quotation for a number of furniture pieces going into a large custom project. One of the pieces quoted was for a custom desk.
At the time I remembered feeling just a little bit nervous about the prospect of making a massive one piece curved top that would measure almost 14' corner to corner. Not knowing whether the quote would actually materialize as an order, I didn't end up spending too much time figuring out how, exactly, we'd do it.
Well, the order did materialize, and we did figure out how to make the top.
This is the credenza that will be located on the left side of the desk. There are a total of 6 box drawers over 3 files drawers. The drawer boxes will all be dovetailed solid maple running on Blumotion self closing linear ball bearing slides.
This image shows the addition of the side cabinet for CPU storage. There will be a removeable angled back added to this cabinet to allow for wiring access.
The curved modesty panel is bolted to the CPU cabinet.
The end gable is added to the far side of the modesty panel. The removable panel for the CPU cabinet can be seen on the right.
The "big ass" top is added to the "big ass" desk. It goes without saying that putting an undercut bevel edge around all 3 sides was more than a little challenging.
This view shows the inside of the desk, including the knee space.
I'm not certain whether this is the biggest desk we've ever made, but this is definitely the biggest desk we've ever made for a home office.
This piece has now been disassembled for sanding and finishing.
At the time I remembered feeling just a little bit nervous about the prospect of making a massive one piece curved top that would measure almost 14' corner to corner. Not knowing whether the quote would actually materialize as an order, I didn't end up spending too much time figuring out how, exactly, we'd do it.
Well, the order did materialize, and we did figure out how to make the top.
This is the credenza that will be located on the left side of the desk. There are a total of 6 box drawers over 3 files drawers. The drawer boxes will all be dovetailed solid maple running on Blumotion self closing linear ball bearing slides.
This image shows the addition of the side cabinet for CPU storage. There will be a removeable angled back added to this cabinet to allow for wiring access.
The curved modesty panel is bolted to the CPU cabinet.
The end gable is added to the far side of the modesty panel. The removable panel for the CPU cabinet can be seen on the right.
The "big ass" top is added to the "big ass" desk. It goes without saying that putting an undercut bevel edge around all 3 sides was more than a little challenging.
This view shows the inside of the desk, including the knee space.
I'm not certain whether this is the biggest desk we've ever made, but this is definitely the biggest desk we've ever made for a home office.
This piece has now been disassembled for sanding and finishing.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Tekendoos Keepsake Boxes
The inspiration for these keepsake boxes comes from a “Tekendoos” (a Dutch word for “drawing box”) that was given to me by my Grandfather when I was a small boy.
I have cherished this gift for almost 50 years, and it still sits on my desk to this day.
The boxes shown here have been constructed from mitre folded Baltic Birch ply, with exteriors clad in various species of exotic wood that have been inlaid with purfling banding. The hinges are solid brass, and the interiors are felt lined.
The overall dimensions of each box is 10” by 5” by 2-5/8” high
The box shown above has been crafted from Karellian Birch Burl and inlaid with Mahogany, Maple and Indian Ebony.
The above box is made from Zebrawood inlaid with Mahogany, Maple and Indian Ebony.
This box is made of Kevazingo inlaid with Tulipwood, Maple and Indian Ebony.
The above box is made of Pommelle Sapele inlaid with Mahogany, Maple and Indian Ebony.
The keepsake box shown above is made of Bubinga inlaid with Tulipwood, Maple and Indian Ebony.
Several of these Tekendoos Keepsake Boxes will be on display at The Guild Shop in Toronto, as part of the "My Grain" exhibition which opens on July 16th.
I have cherished this gift for almost 50 years, and it still sits on my desk to this day.
The boxes shown here have been constructed from mitre folded Baltic Birch ply, with exteriors clad in various species of exotic wood that have been inlaid with purfling banding. The hinges are solid brass, and the interiors are felt lined.
The overall dimensions of each box is 10” by 5” by 2-5/8” high
The box shown above has been crafted from Karellian Birch Burl and inlaid with Mahogany, Maple and Indian Ebony.
The above box is made from Zebrawood inlaid with Mahogany, Maple and Indian Ebony.
This box is made of Kevazingo inlaid with Tulipwood, Maple and Indian Ebony.
The above box is made of Pommelle Sapele inlaid with Mahogany, Maple and Indian Ebony.
The keepsake box shown above is made of Bubinga inlaid with Tulipwood, Maple and Indian Ebony.
Several of these Tekendoos Keepsake Boxes will be on display at The Guild Shop in Toronto, as part of the "My Grain" exhibition which opens on July 16th.
Aquaria Console
The Aquaria Console measures 42-1/2" long by 10-1/2" deep by 29-1/2" high. The high gloss figured wood top appears to float over the base since it rests on concealed cross ribs that are set between the long curving aprons.
The aprons are attached to the curved solid legs by means of mortise and tenon construction. An optional drawer extends from one end by means of Blumotion linear ball bearing slides. The drawer box itself is made of dovetailed solid maple.
The latter two consoles are currently on display at The Guild Shop in Toronto - ready for the "My Grain" exhibition which opens on July 16th.
The aprons are attached to the curved solid legs by means of mortise and tenon construction. An optional drawer extends from one end by means of Blumotion linear ball bearing slides. The drawer box itself is made of dovetailed solid maple.
The console above is shown with a solid Walnut base that has been stained Dark Chocolate. The top is figured Crotch Walnut which has been center butt matched, and stained to complement the base - albeit with a high gloss finish.
The legs and aprons on the console above are made out of solid natural Bubinga. The figured wood top is rotary cut Bubinga, which is sometimes called Kevazingo.
The apron and legs on the console above have been made out of Curly Maple that has been stained a medium Chestnut colour. The figured wood top comes from a rare sampling of Curly Birds Eye Maple that has been stained Chestnut to match.
The console below has legs and apron made out of natural solid walnut, with a natural Crotch Walnut top.
The latter two consoles are currently on display at The Guild Shop in Toronto - ready for the "My Grain" exhibition which opens on July 16th.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Custom Furniture for a Ritz Carlton Hotel
The following images are of some custom furniture pieces we made for the public areas of a Ritz Carlton hotel.
This console measures 72" long x 24" deep x 33" high. Crafted from Chestnut Pommelle Sapele the top has a reverse diamond match pattern. The sides are inlaid with natural maple. The finish is semi gloss low-VOC polyurethane.
This side table is made of Chestnut Ribbon Sapele with ebonized inlay details, and finished in semi gloss low-VOC polyurethane.
Several variations of these round tables were made for a cocktail lounge located in the lobby of the hotel. The plinth has a subtle tapering cone top surface which had a challenging sunburst grain pattern applied to the face. The hexagonal tapering cone pedestal conceals hidden metal rods which provide the necessary strength to support the 38" diameter top.
This console measures 72" long x 24" deep x 33" high. Crafted from Chestnut Pommelle Sapele the top has a reverse diamond match pattern. The sides are inlaid with natural maple. The finish is semi gloss low-VOC polyurethane.
This side table is made of Chestnut Ribbon Sapele with ebonized inlay details, and finished in semi gloss low-VOC polyurethane.
Several variations of these round tables were made for a cocktail lounge located in the lobby of the hotel. The plinth has a subtle tapering cone top surface which had a challenging sunburst grain pattern applied to the face. The hexagonal tapering cone pedestal conceals hidden metal rods which provide the necessary strength to support the 38" diameter top.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
A Built-In Audio/Video Wall Unit
Although we usually specialize in making free standing pieces of custom furniture it is not uncommon for us to also do cabinetry such as built-ins.
This audio/video wall unit is one example of something we've installed recently. Measuring 156" long x 96" high x 21" deep this unit has open shelving across the top, and door and drawer storage below.
The drawer boxes are made out of dovetailed solid maple, running on concealed Blumotion linear ball bearing slides. The false door with the black speaker cloth is designed to conceal a subwoofer.
The entire unit is finished in a satin opaque polyurethane that has been custom tinted to match the walls.
This audio/video wall unit is one example of something we've installed recently. Measuring 156" long x 96" high x 21" deep this unit has open shelving across the top, and door and drawer storage below.
The drawer boxes are made out of dovetailed solid maple, running on concealed Blumotion linear ball bearing slides. The false door with the black speaker cloth is designed to conceal a subwoofer.
The entire unit is finished in a satin opaque polyurethane that has been custom tinted to match the walls.
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