Arts and Crafts-Inspired Full Length Mirror Design

The drawer is a thoughtful addition design wise, that does help ground the piece… maybe not the most functional of places for a drawer though, hence the removabilty? Comparing to nothing else, I think the arc looks good – doesn’t jump out as “wrong” whether or not you called attention to it.

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

Jeff,
Good start.
Here is a Stickley Cheval mirror.

This might be a good starting point if you wanted to add a drawer. In my opinion you might want to try a straight rail at the bottom of the mirror frame and just keep the curve at the top. Interesting project.

John

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne

Yeah, the drawer is probably not super functional… I’m not even sure what one would put in it. Stray mittens, scarves, stuff like that. I dunno. Removable = easier to pick it up and move it when we move or if it were to end up downstairs… Again, not sure of the advantage to that either. Do you know of any definitive books on the correct proportions, etc. of this style?

-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN

Hey John, thanks for the suggestion on the rail. I had it that way first and then changed it but was still wondering if the straight rail was more accurate stylistically. Thanks for the pic too!

-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN

Jeff, the drawer is a little unusual in a floor-stand mirror. It wouldn’t be very functional at ones feet.

When I first viewed the rendering without reading the dimensions, I thought it was a bench-top mirror. There, the drawer would be much more functional.

The would suggest quarter-sawn Oak and add some squared pegs to the mortises. Exposed joinery is one of the hallmarks of A&C cabinetry.

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.hilsbiblechurch.org/

i like the drawer idea and I’d find something to put in it – my first thought was scarves.
If you want to keep it specifically to the style, I can’t help you with that.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Hi Jeff,

I think your design is pretty nice. To further the A&C styling a bit, you could add some square pegs to pin the M&T joints at the corners. Also, through-tenon where the bottom stretch comes through the sides, would be a nice touch. You have a nice original design going there. I like the drawer. Functional? I don’t know…but I think it’s cool.

Take a look in the “Accents” section of the web site below, Thomas has a few full length mirrors that might provide some inspiration.

I had the pleasure of meeting Thomas at the winter Roycroft show. Let me just tell you this – HIS WORK IS AMAZING. I felt like incompetant imbecile when I saw his work. He is what I aspire to be – a great craftsman.

http://www.thomaspafkdesign.com/

-- John Nixon - Buffalo, NY - http://www.EagleLakeWoodworking.com

Jeff:

Just a thought on the top make the curve on the mirror side curve into the mirror as a mirror image of the bottom piece. Then the top could either be barrel shaped or follow the curve of the mirror side.

Not sure if it will improve it or make it worse. But it was a thought. Since you are using sketchup. you don’t have to cut wood to see the look.

Keep it coming and you will have a LumberJock designed A&C Mirror.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Don, Debbie, and John – Thanks for the feedback and encouragement. I’m glad we were on the same page, Debbie, on what might go in the drawer. I have told KT for some time I wanted to build something we could both use but would give her another place to put stuff.

You guys are absolutely correct on taking the joinery further to the detail and execution you suggest. Much more visually appealing…

John, thanks for the link. You’re right. An amazing craftsman he is.

I do have one question regarding the drawer. Doesn’t a drawer at one’s feet beg the question of how functional bottom drawers are on chests of drawers and other such bedroom furniture? This said, I agree it still might be odd. I shall ponder further and toy with the design. Thanks again!

-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN

Thanks for the idea, Karson. You’re right, it wouldn’t take long to give that a shot. It may be that this ultimately morphs into something that doesn’t look like A&C was the inspiration. That’s the best part of prototyping…

-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN

Nice stuff Jeff. Personally, I like the “chest” look at the bottom. Maybe it’s not a drawer but an actual chest with a top lid instead of a drawer. Don’t know… food for thought. And John’s wishbone effect looks a bit more stable though I haven’t seen what you modeled yours after. All in all I really like it. Go for it.

-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.

Jeff, I thought the same thing re: bottom drawers on chests—same thing.

I like it – I think it is unique, I think that you will have it filled in no time, and I think visitors will be really curious about what’s inside :) It’s going to catch attention.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I think the drawer is a great idea. I think it would stabilize the piece. Besides you won’t be moving it around much.
One comment though, I think the curved top of the drawer section makes it more modern looking than A&C.
I sure wish I could learn to use SketchUp like you do, NICE.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

I think there were plans in the Canadian Woodworking magazine for a mirror with something on the bottom… and it was all on a swivel. The backside was all shelves. I’ll have to go have a look at it and see what there was on the bottom

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Nice work with SU. I like the drawer idea – something of a surprise. Looking forward to the completed project – hope you post a blog as it develops.

John – great web referenc. Thanks!

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

Interesting comments on the drawer and the practicality of such. Krenov’s cabinets are of such beauty to me, but then on the practicality side – they lack in some respects. They are not really designed to fit anything in particular. But no one really cares, they are beautiful pieces. If you make it with a drawer the end user will find a use for it. Visually speaking, I think it works. I don’t think it is beyond total reasoning to do it.

-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com

Thanks Todd. I genuinely appreciate the feedback from such an accomplished and talented woodworker as yourself. I honestly was less concerned about the the functionality and more interested in giving myself a challenge. This said, I did work on the original manual drawings quite a bit.

Two things I want to accomplish with the project are handsawn dovetails and then some sort of inlay on the top. Just a thin decorative band but I think the subtleties can make all the difference. The other obvious challenge will be the curved top and veneering that. Beauty part is I can build the frame and stand and add the drawer/case after it’s completed if I stick with the design. I think when it’s done it will look much less like an Arts and Crafts project.

Now, if I could just get past all this other get-the-house-ready-to-sell junk I could start working on it…

Again, good to hear from you.

-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN

David, I missed your response previously. Thanks! SU is a good tool but can be tricky since it is so easy to change things. One has to maintain focus and be decisive.

-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN

Jeff,
Did you end up building this? If so, what did you use for a hinge? Any special hardware? I really like your plans.

Nope, haven’t gotten around to it yet HM. I thought maybe this summer but I’m on deck to build a dining room table for a buddy as a wedding present (by September) and I have a few other things I want to do too. So little time… If I do build it, I will likely blog it because of the challenge with the drawer chest so you might see something yet.

Thanks for the interest.

-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN

I’ll keep my eyes peeled. I’m going to take a stab at something much simpler (i hope) in the nearer term. Maybe someday I’ll try something more ambitious like this. Good luck!