Woodworking It

Couple of other pics. I’m going to put together a sort of before-and-after posting but in the meantime, thought I’d mention that this table is made out of an old chair I found in the garbage. Windsor-style chair is pine, rails and legs are cherry; truly one of the most beautiful wood species in the world.

(Source: fineart.ha.com)

I came across these pieces on an auction site I follow called Heritage Auctions. I can’t afford anything on there but I am free to look and drool. This 1890 Italian Gilt Wood Bedroom Set could be yours for around $30,000. Now, it’s a bit much. I mean, I like a good golden sphinx as much as the next gal but I prefer mine with side order of subtly, something this furniture is completely lacking in. However, one cannot help but marvel at, and worship, the craftsmanship that went into building these pieces. Look at the way the bedside table drawer opens - the face of the drawer is so perfectly matched to the details on the side rails, you wouldn’t even know it was a drawer if it weren’t for the pull. And look at the carving! Exquisite. 

Found this no-longer-loved chair abandoned in a park. Old, weathered, rickety and with the seat split in five places. Perfect. For years I’ve been thinking about giving a “garbage” chair a second life as a table. Finally, the project has begun. Will it end beautifully or will it end with a bonfire on the beach? Time will tell.

First order of business, saw off the legs. Done.

Next, hand-plane the top flush. Look how nice the fresh pine looks underneath the old!

Next, route the butterfly mortises. This is my first time attempting to inlay butterfly keys and I figured this chair was the perfect guinea pig. It has had a good life so if I mess up royally, well, to the aforementioned bonfire with it! So, the seat had split in all the places where the legs and back had been inserted (of course). You can see in the close-up one of the places where the back and a leg had gone in.

Coffee table I made for my living room. Top is a magical slab of cedar with crazy blue and gold colours. Smelled amazing while planing. Base is maple. I exaggerated the floating top and love the result.

Small cabinet/shadow box I made for my Dad’s 70th birthday, which is coming up. Wood is maple and back is stained oak ply. The badges are from sports teams he played on when he was a teen. Nice nostalgic piece. I hope he likes it…

Table I made at school. Legs are walnut. Rails and top are pine over which I applied two layers of milk paint (brown under green), giving it its antique crackled look. Milk paint is a non-toxic water based mixture. Early settlers brought this method of paint making to North America more then 250 years ago. I hand carved the leaf handle which, when drawer is closed, mates up perfectly with one of the twigs.