| Project by vipond33 | posted 365 days ago | 1884 views | 8 times favorited | 24 comments | ![]() |
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I’ve noticed that many projects here start out with a spectacular piece of saved or found material and then only finds its expression in due time, as the design somehow suggests itself. Sometimes it takes a while for it to come to fruition and this one certainly did.
These bedroom pieces started off not with wood but from a few pieces of a sea foam green laminate left over years ago from a job at work, i.e. somebody’s bathroom vanity. I hoarded it for its colour, celadon by name, and for its interesting texture.
Celadon “has been described by ancient Chinese artisans as having a quiet elegance whose colour is “beyond description,” in that it must be experienced to be understood”. Also done in a sort of Deco style to be very restful, perfect for my bedroom.
The mate to this material is walnut for the most part, done in my favourite technique of veneer over solid. Building this way allows for a flowing grain match and a uniformity of colour not possible with solids alone. I also appreciate how your design then has fewer limitations. Don’t want flashy grain? Done. Want a bold symmetrical pattern to build on? Done.
For the laundry cabinet it was laid up over red oak for many of the verticals, interspersed with solid walnut at different levels and with solid walnut corners. The profiled edges of both units are walnut veneer over walnut.
One piece routed and dadoed frames made in Baltic birch form the structure. The glue up was a pig to do as clamps were pretty much useless for the most part. Each strip was held with hand pressure for a minute or two, followed by an arduous removal of the squeeze out.
I inlaid a feature strip of padouk all round to suddenly offset the green, and fitted it slightly proud to help protect the walnut from cross grain scratches
and ground a custom knife for the shaper to profile the edges.
This is reversed on the base of the laundry cabinet. I’m not super happy with the strap hinges but honestly, nothing else would work given the voids everywhere.
The bookshelf is a through dowel construction and the design is based on a very old idea from IKEA. The cantilevered shelves are strong enough that one could sit on them.
The mystery material at the top of the hamper opening is that most humble of sheet goods, Masonite. To me it looks far better than it has any right to.
Spray shellac finish by clayton on the hamper, Tried and True on the bookshelf. Watco liquid satin wax with 0000 steel wool. Machine threaded knock down bolts on both pieces act as levelers.
Laundry hamper 25” x 17” x 36”
Bookshelf 42 1/2” x 33” x 11 1/4”
About 62 hrs.
Build on LJ’s.
gene
-- gene@toronto.ontario.canada : dovetail free since '53, critiques always welcome.
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24 comments so far
nomercadies
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413 posts in 534 days
#1 posted 365 days ago
A freakin laundry hamper elevated to fine art? I would only put folded, clean clothes in it that never graced the shelves of a discount store.
-- Chance Four "Not Just a Second Chance"
T. D. Reid
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271 posts in 540 days
#2 posted 365 days ago
Very nice look you created sir, I like it a lot. Cheers.
-- Head to the shop its calling you – Todd
ShaneA
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4011 posts in 794 days
#3 posted 365 days ago
You are a craftsman sir. Very nice, but I have come to expect this level of fit and finish from you.
Clint Searl
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878 posts in 557 days
#4 posted 365 days ago
Both pieces are outstanding in design and execution, but the bookcase excells on all fronts. Inspiring!
-- Clint Searl.............We deserve what we tolerate
jaykaypur
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2566 posts in 604 days
#5 posted 365 days ago
Excellent elegance. Just stunning work and craftsmanship.
-- Use it up, Wear it out --------------- Make it do, Or do without!
Karson
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34394 posts in 2596 days
#6 posted 365 days ago
Great salvage job. Beautiful build. Creative design.
All flows into some fantastic pieces.
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Bearpie
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2475 posts in 1214 days
#7 posted 365 days ago
Wow, those are absolutely beautiful! Simple lines but elegantly and tastefully displayed and made. Love the color combinations.
-- Erwin, Jacksonville, FL
JamWhi
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22 posts in 406 days
#8 posted 365 days ago
Very nice, I don’t think that I can use my plastic hampers in good consciousness anymore… off to the shop. :)
BritBoxmaker
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4052 posts in 1232 days
#9 posted 365 days ago
Excellent use of saved material, Gene. That is a really beautiful colour contrast. I prefer the almost Japanese subtlety of the laundry hamper although the bookshelf is growing on me. The latter has a retro, 50’s feel.
-- Martyn -- Boxologist, Pattern Juggler and Candyman of the visually challenging. http://www.theartofboxes.com
Spoontaneous
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1017 posts in 1526 days
#10 posted 365 days ago
I really, really love the details…. and the Art Deco look of both pieces. Very elegant, even. When I grow up, one day I hope to say something like, “ground a custom knife for the shaper to profile the edges.” (I’m pretty sure I haven’t said anything like that before).
-- I just got done cutting three boards and all four of them were too short. (true story)
Boxguy
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939 posts in 463 days
#11 posted 365 days ago
Beautiful project. I too like the color. This is a wonderful vision skillfully brought to fruition. Some things like this just look like they were destined to be made. An interesting phenomenon…a short time later we look back in wonder and vague disbelief at the project as if to ask…did I really make that?
Some day we will need to have a forum about what happens in the creative process. It seems that materials and ideas often seem to lie dormant, but not forgotten, around the shop and then they want to be used or combined with something new for some pressing purpose…curious how that works.
-- Big Al in IN
tyskkvinna
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1295 posts in 1182 days
#12 posted 365 days ago
Most impressive laundry hamper!!! I love the minimalist feel that comes out of such a busy set of lines.
-- Lis - Michigan - http://www.missmooseart.com - https://www.etsy.com/people/lisbokt
rdjack21
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254 posts in 1123 days
#13 posted 365 days ago
Wow I just love it. If my wife saw this I know what I would be making next.
-- --- Richard Jackson
peteg
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2321 posts in 1019 days
#14 posted 365 days ago
As we expect, just the best :: )))
Pete
-- Pete G: If you always do what you always did you'll always get what you always got
JoeinDE
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328 posts in 1519 days
#15 posted 365 days ago
You have elevated the laundry hamper to a place that I am not sure it has ever been before.
-- A bad craftsmen blames his cheap #$%ing tools
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