Modern Coffee table
This is a modern/contemporary coffee table that I designed. I built it out of Maple and Cherry and used a Velvit oil finish with a wax coat on top. Some of the neat features it has is a 2-way drawer, meaning it can open in the front or back. The folks at the Vermont Woodworking School and I collaborated our ideas and made a unique drawer stop for opening it so it doesn’t fly out. It also has a centering stop. The table top features hand-shaped rolling bevels on the bottom edge of the front and back as well as the top edge on the ends, this gives the top a more delicate feeling. Thanks for looking.
Comments
Elegant piece of work. The bevels on the edges give it an almost liquid feel to it. I am trying to figure out the joinery, though. How are the arches attached to the drawer casing and lower shelf? I have never been a big fan of a maple/cherry combo, but that I suppose is a personal preference.
Nicely done.
Sorry it has taken so long to respond. Thank you for the kind comments. The joinery is tricky, the arches are attached to the drawer casing via glue and a screw from the bottom into the casing. As for the attachment of the arch to the lower shelf I used a floating tenon, it was a bit tricky to cut the mortises in the arch but I managed to get it. I have actually taken quite a liking to the maple/cherry combo, though I'm not sure why, I think they are beautifully complimenting colors. I have done several other pieces with this combo that I've liked quite a bit. There is a floating top hall table that has quite a similar design to it, it can be seen at my website, http://www.TJGwoodworking.com
Tyler,
Saw your piece at the Saratoga showcase recently. It is very striking. One question for you; what did you do to allow for wood movement of the top? I looked hard, but couldn't figure out how you did that.
I live close to the Vt Woodworking school, but have not taken any classes there. From the looks of your work, I should!
Skip
Hi Skip,
Thanks for the comment. The woodworking show was full of gorgeous furniture, I'm sure you can agree. As for the wood movement, It is much more simple than you think. If you look closely at the table, the grain on every single piece of maple is running the same direction. This includes the drawer casing. This was the simplest solution to wood expansion, the entire piece moves. Since all the grain is running the same way and there's not one piece of wood where it's going perpendicular to the top except the drawer itself which doesn't count. I hope that makes sense. Also, I definitely recommend taking a class or too at the school, they offer a few summer classes and their immersion program caters to your needs but is much more self driven. It is a great school, I miss it there quite a bit. If you've got any other questions, feel free to email me.
-Tyler
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