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This is one of the most challenging pieces I have done to date. It combines two of my passions, wine and woodworking. I did this to sell with no particular client in mind. Hand-cut mortise and tenon joints and dovetails on drawer. The case is maple with a walnut back panel, legs and doors. Top is qtr cut ash veneer.

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I think that this project would be a good submission for the Winter 2010 yin yang contest. I decided to use three different woods for this project; Walnut, Maple and Ash. The three species were chosen for not only for their visual interest but also as a metaphor for the varietals of wine. As wine comes in so many varietals I felt it apropos to use more than one species of wood. No one species of wood alone could do this piece justice. After all, selecting only one wood to work with is akin to selecting only one wine to drink. A literal interpretation of the wood colors (dark & light) could also be made to red and white wines. Less literal but also a yin/yang juxtaposition is the marriage of old and modern techniques/material. I used hardwood ply with solid wood. Traditional hand-cut dovetails and hand-cut mortise and tenons with modern hardware. As with woodworking there is great debate in the wine world over old world vs. new world, Traditional vs. modern, French vs. California etc in the end it is all good and one cannot exist with out the other…yin yang.

Gallery

Comments

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118 Posts
Love it. Specially the top and the through mortises, they really stand out with a bit of panache'.
Great job on the dovetails!
 

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1,910 Posts
Very elegant. Did you turn the stopper, too?
 

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536 Posts
wine and woodworking, not at the same time but two very enjoyable things to combine. Very nice.
 

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Looks very nice. It looks like you also have ample room for wine paraphernalia too.
Is the wine holding lattice made of plywood?
 

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219 Posts
I wish I could take credit for the wine stopper too but it was a gift turned from wenge. The center section was made of solid maple.
 

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68 Posts
I really like this piece. I love the simplicity of the design, very elegant and beautiful. Very nice work
 

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3 Posts
Cool design,nice hand cut joints.
 

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46 Posts
looks great man. how does it feel with the sides cantilevered that far out from the legs? Very nice design.
 

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270 Posts
And it looks like there's plenty of room on the left side for a box of wine! Wonderful piece.
 

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219 Posts
Brian,

Thanks. Surprisingly it is very stable even with the sides of the case cantilevered out almost 18".
 

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5,163 Posts
Hi BFD,

I am sorry that I missed this one when it was first posted but glad that it came back up on my list. Your wood combination works well on this project. The joinery is excellent and I like the separation of the top from the case. It adds a unique detail to the piece.

What type of finish did you put on it?

By the way I like the manner in which you showcased this piece for photography purposes as well.
 

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Hi Scott,

Thanks for the kind words. For the finish I used Varathane water-based clear satin polyurathane. I try to be as environmentally friendly with the finishes I use so, I like to use water based finishes. Working with the light ash and maple it is also is a very clear finish which doesn't add any amber cast to the wood. I prefinished all the pieces prior to assembly.
 

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wow…i have now seen all your work…and I think this one is my favorite…as a resident of NAPA for the last 8 years i have been wanting to build a wine rack…but this makes me think much bigger…very cool…
 

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219 Posts
Thanks Napaman,

This project to date is my favorite as well. Although I did it to sell I am not that quick to part with it.
 

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Very cool design and well executed bfd! You have a great eye for the details and it shows overall in this outstanding piece of furniture. Have you heard of Blums Bluemotion undermount slides? They come in two configurations self closing or push to open like a touch latch door. They are expensive but I think it's worth the extra cost when installed on highend furniture. Those flawless dovetail drawers will be even more impressive with hidden slides.

Keep up the great work!
 

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Very nice 50's/60's vibe going there…
 

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Hi Jono & Derek,

Thanks for the comments. Jono, I like your recommendation, I think if and when I build another one of these that I will hide the hinges with undermount slides and look into Blum blumotion slides.
 

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WOW!!! Very beautiful. I like wine myself & woodworking. Great Idea.
 
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