Knick-Knack Window Shelf #1: Knick-Knack Window Shelf Part 1

Hi all, been quiet on my own stuff lately mostly because I’ve been busy trying to figure out how I’m going to do this particular project. The project (as seen below) is a Knick-Knack shelf that resembles a window with a mirrored back. The only part keeping me puzzled it how I will do the curved front. Here is a pic of the sample I got off of Google:

The original was painted/milk paint maybe, but I’m going for African Mahogany. Not sure how everything is going to work yet, but most of the joints will be dadoes and mortise and tenon. I’ve began by building a sort-of prototype (out of scrap) just to get an idea for the dimensions i want and radius etc. Here is what I came up with thus far:

Now, like I was saying the curved front is the part that is giving me trouble. In the prototype I simply made kerf cuts in 3/4 plywood and bent it. I won’t be able to use that for the final because of the routing on the face for the finished product (see example). So, I figure my only other option is to laminate several 1/8” mahogany sheets on a form to get what I need. My worry there is again…how will the routing come out and will the bottom of the bent front look too much like plywood at the bottom? Experimentation may be the only way to tell. So, what challenges are there to sum up…well. The curved front as I already said and routing the front (all around the window panes) after assembly are going to be tricky. I think I’ve got the rest…I think.

Any advise or comments…good or bad are welcome by the way.

This is the first time I’ve done something simply from a photo, no plans or ideas to go on. A big challenge and the next hurdle in my education. We’ll see how it goes :>)

-- Jim Hallada, Chesterfield, VA