| Blog series by TimberBiscuit | updated 04-14-2022 04:32 PM | 9 parts | 7652 reads | 9 comments total |
Part 1: Japanese Inspired Wall Bench
Today, I am building a modern bench with a shelf that has a unique lean to it. It is inspired by the simple yet elevated Japanese joinery. The design relies on a bit of physics and a couple of wall anchors to stay standing. The bench seat, bench backrest, and shelf all feature a slatted design to keep the feel of the design light but also add rigidity. You can see the full build video here
Part 2: Modern Chaise Lounge
This modern chaise lounge was an enjoyable build, to say the least. I went with four-quarter cypress for this project as it is a rot-resistant wood. I designed this piece to look seamless, and it almost looks like the back is just floating. It has sweeping lines and big curves that comfortably support the user. I also hid all of the screws in this piece with plugs, so there is no visible hardware. I had a ton of fun with this one and you can check out the build video here.
Part 3: Modern Floating Shelves with Frames
Today I am making some floating shelves with floating frames. These combine the ever-popular floating wall shelf with a picture frame border attached via a small groove. These make a great addition to a gallery wall or by themselves for you to display pictures, knick-knacks, and trinkets! The floating shelves are made of sturdy white oak, and the frames are walnut. I used a cool technique to ebonize the walnut by combining steel wool and vinegar to make iron acetate. When you apply this to...
Part 4: Kneeling Chair
In this video, I show you how to make this ergonomic kneeling chair! The kneeling chair design is based on the original Variable Balans from the 1970’s. I decided to make this dynamic kneeling chair out of ash, but this could easily be made from plywood or any other hardwood. And with the addition of 3-inch cloudlike cushions (high density foam) for the shin rests and seat with an angle, rocking back and forth on this kneeling chair can make even the busiest of workdays a bit more comfortable...
Part 5: Plant Grow Station from Concrete and Walnut
I wanted to make my wife a seed starting station that looked good and could be displayed in our kitchen, so I went with walnut and concrete! This is quite the upgrade from the PVC and shop light grow station that we made a couple years ago. Not only are we going to have delicious fruit and vegetables come spring and summer time, but it will also look great in the process. Watch the Build Video Here
Part 6: Modern Bar Stools
I had a ton of fun building these barstools and learned a lot along the way. A big part of this build had to do with the order of operations. And, in the end, these barstools got a lot of manual love from hand sanding and shaping—the result of that decision made for a beautifully hand-crafted look. I haven’t decided if this is the approach I would take in the future, but it works well with this design. I plan to build two additional complimentary bar stools in the near future (so stay t...
Part 7: Bent Lamination Pendant Lights
This video has it all – wood bending, sheet metal bending, electrical wiring, and a bunch of great techniques. I used hard maple for the bent lamination to achieve the circular design I wanted. Rather than purchasing veneer (which would have saved a bunch of time), I opted to make my own out of some maple that I already had in the shop. To make these 5 lights, I made 65 veneers, which gave me a little wiggle room for any issues that might come up. But the effort was well worth it. Ou...
Part 8: Full-Length Mirror and Stand
In this video, I’m building a modern full-length mirror reminiscent of the mid-century dressing mirrors. This mirror incorporates a storage drawer and the mirror pivots so you can adjust its position. I used some fun woodworking techniques like rounded miters, stopped dados, and a bunch of other woodworking tricks to achieve the waterfall grain pattern I was looking for. Watch the Video Here Enjoy the build!
Part 9: Modern Bread Box
In this video, I’m building a bread box. This modern bread box uses mortise and tenon joinery with other traditional woodworking techniques and tools. It features a two-tiered bread box that can hold two loaves of bread and has two drawers to store your jams, jellies, and spreads. This is a classic woodworking project with a modern twist that really updates the design. Your bread needs a home, so build it one! Watch the Build Video Here
