Project Information
My sister asked if I could make a little tea table for my niece for Christmas. Ever since I saw one of the Rohlfs desk chairs I've been in love with the design, so this seemed like the perfect storm.
To simplify the build, I cheesed up the bases considerably from the original design. Instead of the mitered half-lap cross braces I just did a simple apron for the support. On this mini scale, I could get away with that, as the legs are only 12" high. The bases are basically 3 panels with bevels on the corners to join them in an equilateral triangle. The backs were then cut, shaped, and screwed to the back using 4×1 5/8" screws that I covered with walnut dowels.
Due to time and the number of projects stacking up before Christmas, I didn't attempt the carving in the back. I did consider doing a thin scrollwork applique in walnut to help tie in the table, but decided it was simple and somewhat elegant to just use the chair fabric for that purpose.
The table base is mortise and tenon, and the diamond in a diamond in a square in a square top turned out to be the biggest challenge (I hate miters). Due to the fact that there are two grain directions, I used biscuits to join all of the bits and pieces.
I'm really happy with how it turned out, although my niece now updated her request such that the finished product be pink and purple. I told my sister that if she painted it, I was unfriending her in real life.
To simplify the build, I cheesed up the bases considerably from the original design. Instead of the mitered half-lap cross braces I just did a simple apron for the support. On this mini scale, I could get away with that, as the legs are only 12" high. The bases are basically 3 panels with bevels on the corners to join them in an equilateral triangle. The backs were then cut, shaped, and screwed to the back using 4×1 5/8" screws that I covered with walnut dowels.
Due to time and the number of projects stacking up before Christmas, I didn't attempt the carving in the back. I did consider doing a thin scrollwork applique in walnut to help tie in the table, but decided it was simple and somewhat elegant to just use the chair fabric for that purpose.
The table base is mortise and tenon, and the diamond in a diamond in a square in a square top turned out to be the biggest challenge (I hate miters). Due to the fact that there are two grain directions, I used biscuits to join all of the bits and pieces.
I'm really happy with how it turned out, although my niece now updated her request such that the finished product be pink and purple. I told my sister that if she painted it, I was unfriending her in real life.
