The Coffee Table (42″W x 16″D x 20″H) is made of my client’s Douglas Fir saved for 75 years from when his father built the family home in Seattle, WA.  The design is an almagamation of my own design for the canted legs combined with a Tommy Mac idea for the assymetrical curves along the top edge, and the recent issue describing Fine Woodworking’s arts and crafts Coffee Table shelf.

The table is finished with two coats of Shellac and eight coats of wipe-on polyurethane for ultimate smoothness and durability.  It is stained with general Finishes Antique Walnut to provide an aged look.

The project was an extremely interesting build because of the multiple angles and curves and building the jigs to make the curves for the top.  The joinery is hand-cut mortise and tenons, including flush through tenons helping support the lower shelf.  Walnut Butterflies were added to the top and bottom of the top to ensure that an existing split did not grow and to add to the “cuteness” of the project.

There was only one shot at getting it right because there was no scrap wood.  Great fun project.

Launch Gallery