Do you have a need for a unique furnishing that you are having a difficult time finding?
Many of my friends have asked for specific furnishings that have been difficult to find. A unique one off table, display case, toy chest used in prominent locations. The item needed has unusual size and dimension or the table needed a bench to match, but since your not buying the table you can’t buy the bench. The toy chest is for your pets toys and needs to be sized down but unique because it will reside in the family room.
Projects like these have been a lot of fun and I’m always looking forward to the next.
A Display Case for Bolo Ties
A close friend was left a collection of expensive Bolo Ties. He received twenty ties with individually crafted and unique clasps. I didn’t know much about these ties, nor did I know how valuable they could be. I discovered how expensive and unique some ties are.
My friend’s problem was how to store all the ties and yet display a few at a time. I had given a keepsake box to him, so his first thought was a display case made of the same unique wood, so he called to ask if I would make him a display case for the ties. He and his wife had thought of some ideas concerning design and drew up plans sending them to me for review and comment.
The primary problem was access with the ability to manipulate the items and change the display. The second problem was size. The case shouldn’t be so large it becomes disproportionate to the table or cabinet it sits upon.
The solution, create two panels with hangers on both sides of the panels. This kept the depth to six inches and allowed storage for nine ties per panel. The panels can slide out and turned around or changed in order, thus changing the ties displayed. The top simply lifts off to allow access to the panels being held in place buy molding.
The case is made of Zebra Wood for the case, Walnut for the picture frame and molding and Mahogany for the panels. I used brass knobs for the hangers and feet.
A Toy Chest for a new Puppy
A request for a toy chest for a puppy may seem unusual, however, I had been asked to make a raised dog bed from pictures, in the past. I elaborated on the dog bed and made a four poster bed with brass finials, so this project was not unusual to me. I had fun asking where the chest would be displayed and for pictures of the area so I could create a unique and tasteful chest.
I chose to make the chest using Walnut, framed in Cocobolo, using Cocobolo for molding and adding an accent strip of African Padauk. The base of the chest is Wenge and for access unusual snake hinges on top.
A Bench for a Kitchen Table
Many people were homeless following Super Storm Sandy. This happened to a colleague of mine. He and his family lived along the bay shore in a home directly across from the bay. Wave action and flooding seriously damaged their home and they were displaced for several weeks, eventually buying a home in the area.
While furnishing their new home they decided they needed to add a bench for additional seating if cousins were there. I was asked to build a bench for him. I thought that was a great house warming gift and would be happy to make the bench.
I made the bench based upon the dimensions for the table and used Oak for the base with an Oak top framed in Mahogany. The choice of wood based upon the table and kitchen cabinet finishes.
A Unique Living Room End Table
Remember my previous story of the chess table, well I didn’t mention that I actually made a third table. I made the table for a chess set, rectangular in shape, but when finished, not my first choice as a chess set display. I recalled, however, while at a shore party, how my friend liked small end tables and had one next to her couch. I like the table but felt it small for the location and thought of the table I had just finished.
The table top is made of Walnut and framed in Wenge. The base and legs are made from Padauk and Wenge.
After I presented the table and she replaced it for her original, her children loved the table and then argued over who was taking the original. Her son won as he lived in a smaller apartment in NYC.
The Display Table
The design for my client was based upon a 16X16 chess board and the need for additional dimension for pieces during play. I asked for a picture of location and chose my color combinations based upon the room furnishings. My client’s furnishing were dark cherry. So I chose walnut and wenge for the frame and legs. I added a multi-colored inlay to frame the center and highlight the chess set.
CTFWoodDesigns 