| Project by Mark A. DeCou | posted 767 days ago | 999 views | 2 times favorited | 22 comments | ![]() |
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Thanks for looking.
This project has been “sold”, but if you would like something similar, please email me:
mark@decoustudio.com
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Project Story:
This is a commissioned project for a past client. They needed a laptop computer desk to sit off the side of the kitchen, and wanted it to match the existing Birch Cabinets built in the early 1960’s. They also wanted a carved panel on the front with my own original artwork design, inspired by the work of Kansas artist, the late-Birger Sandzen.
What I designed was a tilt front desk to provide both a work surface, and hidden storage, with open cookbook storage below. On top of the desk, will sit another bookcase to hold Cookbooks.
The artwork I drew and carved is of a Kansas Flinthill’s Prairie homestead scene that I titled “Stone House on the Prairie.”
I also built the hammered copper finger pull handle myself, as working in copper is something I enjoy doing as well.
The carving has been airbrushed with tinted lacquer to add depth, shadows, and to form the styling of a late-Birger Sandzen styled woodcut print.
If you would like to see the building process for this project, please visit my blogs, where I detailed the various parts of the project.
- Building the Project
- Carving the Panel
- Airbrushing the Carving
- Making the Copper Hardware
- Designing and Building the Matching Chair
- Desk, Chair, and Shelving Installed
Mark DeCou
www.decoustudio.com
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Want to See More of my Furniture Work?:
If you go to my Mark DeCou Website you will find that I have not updated my website in quite some time. I realize that I need to invest in improving my website, but until that is accomplished, here are some more Lumberjocks related lilnks with updated postings of my furniture work, sorted into categories. Thanks for your interest in my work, and your patience with my website.
- Arts & Crafts Entry Table; with Carved Oak Leaves
- Arts & Crafts Orchid Stand w/ Wine Bottle Storage
- Arts & Crafts Style Morris Inspired Chairs
- Arts & Crafts Display Top Coffee Table
- Arts & Crafts Style Inspired End Table Set
- Arts & Crafts Style Inspired Prairie Couch
- Table Lamps
- Arts & Crafts Carved Entertainment Center
- Mission Entertainment Center
- Carved Communion Table
- Carved Roll Top Sound Equipment Cabinet
- Fancy Church Side Altars
- Processional Cross
- Fancy Speaker's Lectern
- Church Hymn Number Board
- Communion Chalice (Cup) and Paten
- Sam Maloof Inspired Walnut Rocker
- Original Art Carved Tilt Front Desk, inspired by Birger Sandzen
- Natural Edge; Nakashima Inspired Coffee Table
- Decoratively Painted Box End Tables
- Birch China Cabinet for Cut Glass Collection
- Naughty (Knotty) Refined Rustic White Oak & Black Walnut China Hutch
- A Kansa Indian and Buffalo Accent Art-Chair
- Refined Rustic Dining Chairs
- Refined Rustic Dining Table
- Cowboy-Western Style Suitcase/Luggage Support Racks
- Fun With Cedar Logs #1; Sitting Stool
- Fun With Cedar Logs #2; Coat/Hat/Spur Rack
- Fun With Cedar Logs #3; Western Style Hat/Coat Rack
- Fun With Cedar Logs #4; Entryway Stool
- Kennebunkport Style Adirondack Chair
- Outdoor Garden Wedding Arbor
- Outdoor Project: Cedar Wood Double Settee
These photos, project design, original artwork, and sketches are protected by copyright by M.A. DeCou 10-15-2007, all rights reserved. Please inquire into the use of this material, I might surprise you and say, “Yes.”
-- Mark DeCou - American Contemporary Craft Artisan - www.decoustudio.com































22 comments so far
TomFran
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2509 posts in 885 days
posted 767 days ago
As always, Mark, this is amazing work! Very beautiful and original.
-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28
WayneC
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5953 posts in 988 days
posted 767 days ago
Wonderful work Mark. Showed to the folks around the house here and everyone really likes it.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
Damian Penney
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1030 posts in 882 days
posted 767 days ago
Followed this in your blog, and like I said there this is a really great piece. Making your own hardware is just showing off though ;-)
-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso
mot
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4902 posts in 927 days
posted 767 days ago
This is an amazing piece, Mark. It is to your usual standard.
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)
DAN
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6435 posts in 874 days
posted 767 days ago
Great work. Enjoyed the blog too !!
-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever
CharlieM1958
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7591 posts in 1109 days
posted 767 days ago
You know Mark, with a little practice I think you could become a reasonably good carver. LOL!
I always admire your work, but you really outdid yourself with this one!
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Philip Edwards
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235 posts in 1330 days
posted 767 days ago
Fantastic, Mark!
Congratulations,
Phil
Thos. Angle
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4015 posts in 853 days
posted 767 days ago
This has become what we expect from you, Mark. Another fantastic, wonderful piece of Art. Congratulations.
-- Thos. Angle
Dadoo
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1725 posts in 881 days
posted 767 days ago
Wow Mark, this did turn out real nice. I like the brick detail on the house as well.
-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!
David
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1982 posts in 1030 days
posted 767 days ago
Mark -
Wonderful work as always! Thanks for sharing the building process.
David
-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com
mrtrim
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1700 posts in 771 days
posted 767 days ago
great work !
Lee A. Jesberger
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3710 posts in 870 days
posted 767 days ago
Hi Mark;
Don’t you think it’s time to go “pro”? LOL
If only your client’s could realize your very soul is in each piece you build, they might be willing to pay what it’s really worth.
As always, outstanding!
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Roger Strautman
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534 posts in 1024 days
posted 767 days ago
Just as I would expect from you. Quality that only a few out there can achieve. A big thunbs up from me!
-- " All Things At First Appear Difficult"
Karson
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25787 posts in 1291 days
posted 767 days ago
Mark:
A great job. Superior design and implementation. I hope the customer is back for more.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Jojo
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580 posts in 863 days
posted 766 days ago
I am sure someday people will study Mark’s work in the books as we do nowadays with the works of Maloof, Nakashima or the rest…
”Chapeau bas, Monsieur”, my hat’s off to you, Sir.
Now, the problem is that, if I were the lucky customer, I’d never put the laptop on it because that would mean I won’t be able to see the carving! :o)
-- Jojo, shopless in Kyoto · http://twitter.com/kagushokunin
MsDebbieP
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14152 posts in 1051 days
posted 766 days ago
I agree – magnificent “Mark DeCou” creation.
I hope the new owner realizes the true value of this piece!
To be able to say: “I own a Decou” ... wow
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
schroeder
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511 posts in 1016 days
posted 766 days ago
Stunning Mark – thanks for showing the process too-
-- The Gnarly Wood Shoppe
UncleBen
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37 posts in 843 days
posted 765 days ago
Fantastic, beautiful art! My mouth was a little dropped open for a while…
Max
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14324 posts in 1164 days
posted 765 days ago
As always Mark, a great project and a work of real art… Fantastic.
-- Max "Desperado", Salt Lake City, UT
cronk
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31 posts in 1013 days
posted 764 days ago
a very moving piece of art work. you have really captured a beautiful scene. I hope someday to carve a scene like you have. thank you for sharing the process
-- cronk, oregon
Mark A. DeCou
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1537 posts in 1296 days
posted 754 days ago
Thanks everyone.
I took this desk to an art showing of my work on Friday night in Wichita.
I had one person comment, ”that desk looks better in person than the photos on the internet.”
So, I guess I probably need to get some better photos. ha.
thanks again,
Mark
-- Mark DeCou - American Contemporary Craft Artisan - www.decoustudio.com
trifern
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7894 posts in 658 days
posted 523 days ago
Absolutely gorgeous piece of art.
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.