Ochre & Wood

Been busy reworking a piece I made a decade ago - the Barley Breeze coffee table. Ash staves are laminated in a curved jig to form the top and the legs are built up from sections of wych elm which are then cut into a blank and carved roughly into shape using an angle grinder. More refined shaping comes back at the bench.

First pic is the original followed by progress shots of the new version. The new piece will be part of this year's collection at this coming July.

A lounge side table with elm burr top and walnut legs.

The top is two book-matched pieces of 'live edge' elm burr. To contrast with its irregular shape I decided to create a geometric frame with tapered triangular legs. This made for some interesting joinery (see my previous posts of the build) and draws the eye to the highly figured top.

The spread of the feet makes it very stable and, at 550mm / 21.5 ins tall, is ideal for a glass of wine while relaxing on the sofa!

Making legs for a side table. I decided on a 3 legged frame design wise with tapered triangular legs. This quickly turned into a right good kick in the brain when trying to work out all the angles!!! Then came the realisation that the sliding dovetail joints meant that all three frame pieces have to be inserted in the legs at the same time to get it to go together. A real triumph of design over ease of construction!! I know I'll be happy with the result so all the problem solving will be worth it. 🤞🤞🤞

A good few hours gone into making this!

The new with the old. Curves complimenting curves.

Final assembly today. More fiddly-ness finding ways to hold curved shapes firmly enough to knock the dowels in. Lots of care needed when tapping the tiny wedges in to avoid breaking them halfway in! Nice to see the frame together now minus the clamps. I'm rather pleased with the shape if I do say so myself!😊

This style can feature anything in the top - a wall tile in this case but could be glass with a tartan, or a decorative veneer pattern....The possibilities are endless!

A good deal of fiddly work today to dry fit the leg frame. Working with curves is rarely quick n easy! All angles cut and stretchers made with nice tight halving joints to minimise movement - the top is quite heavy with the tile.

Side table components roughed out. It doesn't look like much but there are still quite a few processes involved in making smaller pieces. And each laminated curved leg section needs a day for the glue to harden sufficiently.

A dry fit of the mitred frame for the side table top. There will also be a base which will bring the tile centrepiece up flush with the frame.

I'm bending things again. The first of 4 small leg sections for a side table in local oak with a top which will incorporate a reclaimed wall tile found on a trip to Italy. (Oooh!)

A shelving unit for a kitchen made from oak. Dovetailed carcass and rebated shelves to give maximum strength and withstand movement. Tongue and groove linings on the back will also stand up to movement. And besides all that, it is a nice, clean design and the wood is a lovely rich colour!