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Rose Inlaid Toddler Step

Project by Patrick Jaromin posted 489 days ago 859 views 2 times favorited 18 comments Add to Favorites Watch

Just after our second child, Sean, was born, my parents came out for a visit. While they were here, my mother mentioned that she was planning to purchase a toddler step for my niece, Samantha. Apparently this has become something of a tradition for her. I promptly nixed that idea, insisting that I build one for her instead. 18mos. later, during another visit with my folks, I was reminded that the bench was yet to be delivered. Sigh.


The past two weekends I managed to scrape together enough hours to complete this simple bench/step. As my niece’s middle name is “Rose”, the plan was to inlay a rose into the top. I’ve done very few hand cut (see note) dovetails, so I figured I’d also take this opportunity to gain some practice. And while I’ve incorporated inlays into a number of my previous pieces, I always welcome the chance to gain some additional experience there as well. So a rather simple, blocky design was born. While it won’t likely win any design contests, I found cutting and fine tuning the dovetails very relaxing. It was also quite satisfying to assemble.

The sides are walnut, the top, is cherry. The inlaid rose petals are bloodwood and the stem is zebrawood. The finish is Watco Danish Oil, natural.


(full disclosure: by “hand cut” I mean using a bandsaw and chisels instead of a router template. If it’s good enough for David Marks... ;) )


UPDATE:
I decided it needed a couple top coats of a tung oil-based finish. This added a medium sheen to the piece and I think improved the look dramatically. I’ve replaced the second and third pics with new ones.


(originally posted at http://tenonandspline.com/blog/archives/80)

-- Patrick, Chicago, IL http://www.TenonAndSpline.com/blog


18 comments so far

View jockmike2's profile

jockmike2

7297 posts in 1138 days


posted 489 days ago

Nice job. Actually a beautiful piece.

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

View Bigdogs117's profile

Bigdogs117

1808 posts in 513 days


posted 489 days ago

Great work. I really like the choice of wood.

-- Rusty

View CharlieM1958's profile

CharlieM1958

7599 posts in 1110 days


posted 489 days ago

Nice job on the joints and the inlay. Great wood choice.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

View thetimberkid's profile

thetimberkid

1944 posts in 595 days


posted 489 days ago

Great table!

Thanks for the post

Callum

-- For wood working podcasts with a twist check out http://thetimberkid.com/

View Betsy's profile

Betsy

2388 posts in 788 days


posted 489 days ago

That’s destined to be an heirloom! Great job. I’m sure it will be cherished.

-- You can't get a hug from Facebook.

View trifern's profile

trifern

7894 posts in 659 days


posted 489 days ago

Very nice looking step stool. Thank you for sharing.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

View brianinpa's profile

brianinpa

1365 posts in 615 days


posted 489 days ago

The inlay looks great, it almost shouldn’t be stepped on, but the wear will add character to the stool for your niece.

-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.

View Dusty56's profile

Dusty56

3455 posts in 580 days


posted 489 days ago

WOW !!! this looks fantastic and the rose is just fine : )

-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .

View Woodhacker's profile

Woodhacker

1145 posts in 615 days


posted 489 days ago

Great job on the inlay Patrick…and also on the dovetails. Thanks for posting it.

-- Martin, Kansas

View matt garcia's profile

matt garcia

716 posts in 564 days


posted 489 days ago

It’s very David Marks!! Great job!!

-- Matt, Houston Texas

View Grumpy's profile

Grumpy

14914 posts in 743 days


posted 488 days ago

Great job Patrick.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

View EduWood's profile

EduWood

50 posts in 519 days


posted 488 days ago

Very nice! I’m sure everyone agrees that it was worth the wait.

-- David, O.C., California

View Patrick Jaromin's profile

Patrick Jaromin

284 posts in 724 days


posted 488 days ago

I appreciate the comments.

Thanks, all!

-- Patrick, Chicago, IL http://www.TenonAndSpline.com/blog

View benihun's profile

benihun

24 posts in 539 days


posted 487 days ago

The dovetails look awesome and the inlay is also very nice! The look of the whole piece is a pleasure for the eyes. Very good combination of woodtypes.
Thanks for sharing it!

View ND2ELK's profile

ND2ELK

6134 posts in 666 days


posted 487 days ago

Hi Patrick

Exquisite detail and design as always. Thanks for posting.

God Bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

View jeanmarc's profile

jeanmarc

1750 posts in 608 days


posted 478 days ago

Great job

-- jeanmarc manosque france

View Bob A in NJ's profile

Bob A in NJ

521 posts in 891 days


posted 436 days ago

This inspires me to make one. Thanks

-- Bob A in NJ

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14159 posts in 1052 days


posted 436 days ago

so beautiful
and Mom said… ??

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

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