Project Information
This sofa table is made of mahogany and ash. I made it for my wife because everything I make goes into someone else's house. My wife and I get to look at this everyday.
This table is my favorite because it was a breakout piece for me. It was my first piece that exhibited exceptional design and craftsmanship in comparison to the more simple projects that I had done. This was the point in which I truly got hooked on fine furniture. This table was part of the portfolio that gained me juried entrance to the Western Design Conference.
The inspiration for this table is actually Arts & Crafts. The original drawing reflects the Arts & Crafts idea that evolved when I added a curve to one of the legs. I traced the drawing over and added curves to all of the legs and stretchers.
I think some of the design elements of A&C are a little heavy and too blocky. The natural thing to do is to throw in some curves. Sweet sexy curves!
The ash that I used for the slats was actually scrap wood. I happened to find it setting next to the mahogany one day and it struck me that they would go well together. I like ash with the colored streaks in it and in order to show the pattern at it's best, I realized that slats would work better than spindles. An added benefit was that I also had fewer pieces to deal with.
I made 7 legs to get 4 good ones. In cutting curved legs it always releases tension in an unbalanced manner and they will twist.
The finish is a precat lacquer from Sherwin Williams.
Here is a good lesson for everyone: My wife and I clean our furniture with only a damp rag, we do not use furniture polish. When the top got scratched it was no problem. I used a rag wet with lacquer thinner to wipe the scratch and lightly melt the surface. I used a small brush to apply 2 coats of lacquer to the scar. After achieving the build I did a light sand over the whole top, wiped it again with a rag dampened with thinner, and resprayed it. I would defy anyone to find the scratch. Lacquer is easy to repair if it is not contaminated.
This table is my favorite because it was a breakout piece for me. It was my first piece that exhibited exceptional design and craftsmanship in comparison to the more simple projects that I had done. This was the point in which I truly got hooked on fine furniture. This table was part of the portfolio that gained me juried entrance to the Western Design Conference.
The inspiration for this table is actually Arts & Crafts. The original drawing reflects the Arts & Crafts idea that evolved when I added a curve to one of the legs. I traced the drawing over and added curves to all of the legs and stretchers.
I think some of the design elements of A&C are a little heavy and too blocky. The natural thing to do is to throw in some curves. Sweet sexy curves!
The ash that I used for the slats was actually scrap wood. I happened to find it setting next to the mahogany one day and it struck me that they would go well together. I like ash with the colored streaks in it and in order to show the pattern at it's best, I realized that slats would work better than spindles. An added benefit was that I also had fewer pieces to deal with.
I made 7 legs to get 4 good ones. In cutting curved legs it always releases tension in an unbalanced manner and they will twist.
The finish is a precat lacquer from Sherwin Williams.
Here is a good lesson for everyone: My wife and I clean our furniture with only a damp rag, we do not use furniture polish. When the top got scratched it was no problem. I used a rag wet with lacquer thinner to wipe the scratch and lightly melt the surface. I used a small brush to apply 2 coats of lacquer to the scar. After achieving the build I did a light sand over the whole top, wiped it again with a rag dampened with thinner, and resprayed it. I would defy anyone to find the scratch. Lacquer is easy to repair if it is not contaminated.
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