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    Dress Up Your Drawer Fronts

    Add veneer and cock beading to make your furniture pop

    Author Headshot By Steve Latta #246–Mar/Apr 2015 Issue
    Article Image

    Synopsis: Burl veneer and cock beading work together as beautiful and functional details on period furniture. Steve Latta used these classic design elements in his Federal table. Veneering the drawer with beautiful burl gives the table a visual focus; the cock beading provides a frame for the burl while adding a subtle, eye-catching three-dimensional look. Here, he shows how to add them both.

    Photo: Ben Blackmar

    Burl veneer and cock beading go hand in hand, working together as beautiful and functional details. They are classic design elements that were used a lot in early America, and I used both in the Federal table project on pp. 60-67. Veneering the drawer with beautiful burl gives the table a visual focus; the cock beading provides a frame for the burl while adding a subtle, eye-catching three-dimensional look.

    In addition to looking great, cock beading helps protect the veneer by forming a raised…

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