Baluster Table (my first commission work)

• I haven’t uploaded anything for awhile after I realize that some people visit Lumberjocks to replicate and mass produce other people’s work. I am more confident with my work now and I just kept on improving the craftsmanship of my studio furniture pieces over the last few months. I also started to document all my works with certificates and accepted the fact that it someone copies a design, it actually means you’re doing a good job.

Baluster Table
43” x 102” x 33”
Materials: 80 yr old Philippines Mahogany, Kamagong, Apitong, Giant Ipil, Dungon
Man Hours: 190hrs

Anyway, this is my first commission job for a fancy restaurant in Manila. I never realize how hard it was to deal with clients in terms of custom furniture. My creativity was held back since everything has to have approval. The result though turned out to be a success. I even carved out the name of the restaurant “2nd’s” as they requested. What started out as a simple foyer table for the entrance of the restaurant ended up being a bar table for 10. Its heavy enough that I needed 7 people to carry it up the 2nd floor where the restaurant is located.

It is an off-shoot of the traditional stair, the table pays tribute to history and tradition and juxta-poses more modern ideas and concepts of form against them. A glass is added on top of the jutting balusters and items can be stored in the space between.

-- Nico Jose; Sculptor, Painter, Furniture Maker, www.nicojose.com