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Greene and Greene Motawi Tile Frame

Project by CaptainSkully posted 451 days ago 1639 views 4 times favorited 19 comments Add to Favorites Watch
Greene and Greene Motawi Tile Frame
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We visited the Gamble House in Pasadena. As a woodworker, I was so moved by the craftsmanship that when my girlfriend showed me the Motawi tiles she really liked, I told her I would make a commemorative frame for them in the Greene and Greene style. It was extremely difficult for such a small project. It has splines and square plugs, with a scarf joint. I didn’t bother with any cloud lifts and it made the design too busy. It’s made from quartersawn white oak, and finished with Classic Oak and Sedona Red. The splines and plugs were finished with Dark Walnut. The funny thing is that my girlfriend’s Dad gave her a completely different Motawi tile framed for her birthday right after this, unbeknownst to us.

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails


19 comments so far

View CharlieM1958's profile

CharlieM1958

7608 posts in 1111 days


posted 451 days ago

Nice looking work! At first glance, I thought it was one of Dan's.

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

View ND2ELK's profile (online now)

ND2ELK

6155 posts in 667 days


posted 451 days ago

Exquisite looking piece! You did a beautiful job on it. Thanks for posting.

God Bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

View thetimberkid's profile

thetimberkid

1944 posts in 596 days


posted 451 days ago

Great job!

Thanks for the post

Callum

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

View craig1's profile

craig1

1 post in 451 days


posted 451 days ago

That a beautiful piece. I really like the color. Can you tell more details about the finish schedule?

View jeanmarc's profile

jeanmarc

1751 posts in 609 days


posted 451 days ago

Great job

-- jeanmarc manosque france

View daveintexas's profile

daveintexas

338 posts in 769 days


posted 451 days ago

The frame looks perfect, really accents the tile nicely.

Thanks for posting

-- MISSION FURNITURE-My mission is to build furniture

View drgoodwood's profile

drgoodwood

381 posts in 1020 days


posted 451 days ago

Darn you.

Here’s another great idea that I’ll have to try when I get time.

I’ve got some reclaimed Rookwood tiles from a fireplace I salvaged.

Great looking project!

-- Randy, Rustic Artisan, a family tradition. (No PM's - auto-deleted.) - "I am a seeker, not a follower."

View SCOTSMAN's profile

SCOTSMAN

2238 posts in 478 days


posted 451 days ago

It’s beautiful similar to Charles Rennie Macintosh who came from my city of Glasgow Scotland he designed the top flower it’s called around here anyway the Glasgow rose.frame is as good as it gets inserts too really stunning well done to both of you .Alistair

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease

View WhattheChuck's profile

WhattheChuck

83 posts in 453 days


posted 451 days ago

Cool! I love G&G.

-- Chuck, Pullman, WA

View CaptainSkully's profile

CaptainSkully

468 posts in 451 days


posted 451 days ago

The finish is all Minwax. First, one coat of Classic Oak, then a coat or two of Sedona Red applied with 000 steel wool. I tried to match the Greene & Greene color from memory. I even had to sand it back down to nothing to start over because it got too dark. The pegs and splines were all Dark Walnut, totally saturated to get as close to ebony as possible. After the staining, I glued the pegs/splines and put five coats of hand rubbed polyurethane over the whole thing. There was a lot of weeping at the pegs, which required constant dabbing for hours. This recipe was given to me by the buddy who commissioned the vanity base. I never would’ve found this on my own, but it’s pretty sweet if you don’t want a dark brownish red. It really showcases the white oak. I’ll use it again, possibly on a side table to go between two Morris bow arm chairs, if I can get the better half to approve the trip to the lumber yard.

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

View CaptainSkully's profile

CaptainSkully

468 posts in 451 days


posted 451 days ago

P.S. Yes, I’m doing a lot of Mackintosh stuff as accent pieces to my work (i.e. pillows with roses in the corners, stained glass, etc.). Greene and Greene is awesome, especially as an accent piece. Their stuff can get a little overwhelming for me in large doses. I was thinking of a G&G table between the Morris bow arm chairs just to mix things up a bit.

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

View Tim Pursell's profile

Tim Pursell

388 posts in 675 days


posted 451 days ago

Great job! The frame design and finish compliment the tiles perfectly.

-- http://www.grandprairiewoodworks.com http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6453794

View trifern's profile

trifern

7894 posts in 660 days


posted 451 days ago

Gorgeous frame. Thanks for sharing.

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

View Bigbuck's profile

Bigbuck

1366 posts in 556 days


posted 451 days ago

Very nice, that looks great

-- Glenn, New Mexico

View Bureaucrat's profile

Bureaucrat

7206 posts in 545 days


posted 450 days ago

I really like that modified scarf joint on the bottom rail. Elegant celebration of a classic joint.

-- Gary, South Central Wisconsin. So much to learn, so little time!

View CaptainSkully's profile

CaptainSkully

468 posts in 451 days


posted 450 days ago

Thanks! I actually cut the bottom rail in half length-wise, cut the angle across one half, dadoed out the notch while the parts were ganged, glued the two parts together to form each half, eased the edges with a file and sandpaper, then glued the two halves together and had a perfect yet invisible scarf joint. The key to tight fitting plugs is to pillow the top, then taper the sides so it wedges itself in. Prestain if you’re doing a contrasting tone.

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

View DAN 's profile

DAN

6438 posts in 876 days


posted 449 days ago

looks good … the bottom rail looks great with the greene and greene joint. Pinned miters are cool too,

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

View James Early's profile

James Early

48 posts in 541 days


posted 443 days ago

That does look challenging, but you did a great job.

-- -- Jim E., Oswego, NY. Create, have fun, and work safely!

View Mark D.'s profile

Mark D.

116 posts in 661 days


posted 393 days ago

This piece made me smile. It’s small but so intricate. The frame you built is as much a work of art as the tiles themselves. Another great piece. Keep up the good work! -Mark

-- Looking for free wood working plans? Visit us at www.AwlFreePlans.com

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