Reader's Gallery

Plum cabinet

comments (6) August 9th, 2011 in Reader's Gallery

austinh austinh, member
thumbs up 10 users recommend
After spending the better part of 2 years searching for plum lumber I finally came across this board in a barn attic. It had a beautiful form but it offered little in the way of traditionally functional lumber. The top however, reminded me of the tops of 18th century highboys, and the design flowed from there. 
The rest of the board went towards a shelf and a drawer. 
After spending the better part of 2 years searching for plum lumber I finally came across this board in a barn attic. It had a beautiful form but it offered little in the way of traditionally functional lumber. The top however, reminded me of the tops of 18th century highboys, and the design flowed from there.  - CLICK TO ENLARGE

After spending the better part of 2 years searching for plum lumber I finally came across this board in a barn attic. It had a beautiful form but it offered little in the way of traditionally functional lumber. The top however, reminded me of the tops of 18th century highboys, and the design flowed from there. 
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After spending the better part of 2 years searching for plum lumber I finally came across this board in a barn attic. It had a beautiful form but it offered little in the way of traditionally functional lumber. The top however, reminded me of the tops of 18th century highboys, and the design flowed from there. 


Design or Plan used: My own design
posted in: Reader's Gallery, cabinet, chippendale, Plum, highboy
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Comments (6)

markmech2002 markmech2002 writes: the integration of natural form and cabinetry is wonderful. A very nice job indeed, and I have never heard of Plumb Wood but I think the effect has created a work of art.
Posted: 10:45 pm on November 1st

amazoncanvas amazoncanvas writes: That is very creative! Maybe adding some marquetry artworks some where? I like it.
Posted: 2:10 am on September 9th

HayesFurnitureDesign HayesFurnitureDesign writes: I would have to say that would be english wych elm for me :)
Posted: 6:54 am on August 10th

austinh austinh writes: To 4545, thank you for the very eloquent response. I often thought of this piece as a kind of dialogue between the raw natural origins of lumber and the designs we impose upon it, not to post judgment upon either- it is just interesting the inherent beauty in both.

To Hayes- Have you ever found a board with a unique and beautiful figure that you just can't wait to get a finish on and see how it looks, yet you don't have a project lined up that could utilize it- so you simply design a project around the wood- this was that. I built the door before I even knew what I was building it for. Short answer- just to use it.

Posted: 1:50 am on August 10th

4545 4545 writes: Fascinating how the wild is echoed in the formal.

Sometimes I see a piece that seems to speak of its creator, and this one seems to me to speak of someone with the skills and knowledge to knock off high quality conventional work with ease, but also the imagination and understanding and courage to commit to a work that's more than a piece of furniture. To me this piece is like an essay on the creative process; it seems to juxtapose the organic natural form and the refined traditional form and actually not merely place them side by side but blend them in a marvelous interplay which is sort of what creative woodworking is. I can't explain very well, but it makes me think, It's as if it engages in conversation. I think it's a wonderful piece of work; real artistry. Thanks for showing us this one.


Posted: 8:26 pm on August 9th

HayesFurnitureDesign HayesFurnitureDesign writes: Very unique, and well done. But why the plum lumber? Just wondering.
Posted: 6:34 pm on August 9th

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