Coffee Table?

since this is a center piece, and is looked at from all angles (Depending where you sit around it) I think that keeping the top symmetrical would be more pleasing to the eye. if this was a standing up piece, than the progression would actually make it more pleasing than keeping it same sizes, but for a flat piece – especially a table, I think it looks odd – if thats the goal, you’ve nailed it :) but for me personally, it’s a bit disturbing (the balance of the piece)

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

I would have to agree with PurpLev .. I think that the progression would work much better if it was balanced either inward, toward the center of the table (larger on both ends, thinnest in the center) or the exact opposite of that (thickest in the center, out to thin pieces on the ends)

-- Dan M, SW Suburbs, Chicago IL -- http://www.djay-crafts.com

I am definitely not in favor of an unbalanced arrangement like that. I agree with Dan…. different size panels would be fine as long as they were balanced side-to-side. Having said that…. it’s all about what you like (or what you think the person you are making it for will like). Other than that, I like the design very much.

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

I have to agree with PurpLev. The progression is not pleasing to the eye – I would also balance them side to side.

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

I would make the panels the same size. Other than that I like it

-- There is no such thing as a mistake. Its called a design modification Rick Kruse, Grand Rapids, MI

I agree with everyone else. The panels should be the same size.

-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps

The size progression from one side to the other is a bit odd, If you want to have a progression, possibly start with equal panels on either side and get smaller towards the center, remaining symmetrical.

-- San Diego, CA US Navy

I just wanted to try drawing it. :)
I moved the top pcs just a little bit.

My other half likes yours with the A symmetrical look. (Hambridge Progression )
I’m pretty symmetrical with my likes but could go either way with the top.

I am like most the rest, I prefer a symetrical look, and like unique. I believe you may have both with a little rearranging. Completely my opinion, Looks good anyway!

-- cut the board three times..... and its still too short

Well, I for once disagree with everybody.

Maybe it is the influence of living in Japan but I like the asymmetrical proportions.

Most of the time people think an inverted taper is ”very asian” and they just don’t get it. While there are some pieces that have those legs, asian furniture is all about asymmetry.

I don’t find the different panels disturbing at all—it’s a strong word after all— but, on the contrary they add interest to the piece. Where and when do we got this notion that all furniture must be perfectly identical from all sides?

I encourage you to keep taking risks in designing pieces that are different from the usual. And to share them with us, too!

By the way, the bark under the glass idea is just brilliant. It’s a pleasant change from the typical shadow box for trinkets or potpourri.

-- Jojo, shopless in Kyoto · http://twitter.com/kagushokunin

gah I had to go google hambridge progression.

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

I agree with the “asymmetrical is sometimes cool” thoughts, but I don’t like the look of the table.
To me, it looks, and I mean no offence, as if you just got the sizes wrong – strongly asymmetrical, yes, slightly asymmetrical – no.

honestly? I think those that notice it (few) will not mention it for fear of being labeled ingnorant but will wonder “why”. Personally I dont get the point. I can understand the premise of width/height ratios and the formulae developed for “reason” but what is the reasoning behind the placement of these members. The reason for their existance, I surmise, is the support of the glass over the expanse created to present the bark veneer. Is there a formula for formulating a formula for the sake of formulation? This should be a “Monk” episode. OCD science!

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

I gotta go with Dave’s original design, I think it looks great! I strongly agree with JoJo’s comments, I believe it definitely adds visual interest to the piece as well as being the focal point. It makes me look at it more than I would any other table.
I say go with it Dave.

-- "You get what you inspect, not what you expect"

I might be in the minority but I agree with Jojo, but as your designing for someone else it doesn’t hurt to throw an idea out there. If they don’t like it it can always be changed, I guess all that matters is what the client wants.
I like it.

-- Paul Sayre Creativity is a drug I cannot live without. Cecil B. DeMille (1881 - 1959)

Thanks all for your remarks. I still like the assymetry but I’ve had several other ideas I’m going to explore. We’ll see what ther client likes and go from there. Paul, you’re right of course. It’ll go to the client (with a couple of other ideas) and they can choose.

By the way, I normally like symmetrical compositions in furniture but sometimes I like to add a slight degree of unbalance, too.

Thanks again.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

The symmetrical version is in the rear. Another idea in front.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

In order of my preference would be: asymmetrical first (I just think it is a cool design), the newest idea second, and the symmetrical last.

-- "You get what you inspect, not what you expect"

Oh ya I forgot..I like the table either way.

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

Dave,
I like all three, but favor the new one in front.
I REALLY like the photo render!

d.

-- If a man says something in the forest and there's no woman to hear it, is he still wrong?

3fingerpat, thanks. for that.

mics, what do you think of the new design?

Hi Don, thank you. Good to see you here.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Dave,
Good to be here!
d.

-- If a man says something in the forest and there's no woman to hear it, is he still wrong?

why some people take opinions so personally… jojo: nobody and never did a notion arise that furniture must be perfectly identical from all sides. on the contrary – as the acceptance of the Hambridge Progression, and the golden rule progression it seems that this is widely accepted and used. you also don’t eat soup with a fork (mostly) but that doesn’t mean that we should discard the fork and never use it does it? there’s a place and use for each thing under the sun – but even that doesnt meant that everything works everywhere does it?

DaveR asked for (and I quote) “impressions and thoughts” and these are what they all are. some are yay, and some are nay.

I love assymetrical, and breaking the eveness of a certain look, and as much as it boosts certain designs, with others it just doesn’t work as well – I still think that this piece looks a bit ‘off’ with the assymetrical look.

Dave – I LOVE the third rendered design you put up (the floating top) it reminds me of a piece by Kaleo that he did a while back.

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

Dave I like it too but wonder if the open sides will create a cleaning problem especially considering the texture of the bark veneer.

-- Dan, Sterling Alaska, http://sullcon.homestead.com/ Before you criticise some one, walk a mile in their shoes...then you will be a mile away and you have their shoes!

Could be. The same client has a mantle I designed with the same bark in a series of panels. I’ve only seen a couple of photos but it appears the bark is sealed and should be easy to clean. I thought about cleaning and figured the glass would be removable. It would be thick enough and tempered so the exposed edges shouldn’t be an issue.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

PurpLev, I don’t know whether your comment was directed to me or not, but I can’t see how I could take any opinion personally when it’s not me who has designed these amazing tables. Obviously, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, otherwise the world would be very boring. I was a little bit surprised, though, of how some comments were unusually strong in comparison to the tone that is commonly used in this site.

In any case, to each its own. After all, different opinions are what makes this community so rich.

By the way, we eat most soups with chopsticks here… and I’m not kidding! :o)

Dave, I like them all, the initial the better and the more modern approach as the runner-up. As mics_54 though, I’m concerned with the bark on the sides of that piece. Not so much for cleaning reasons but for the edge treatment. Bark being a very textured surface, is almost impossible to miter and get the edges to match perfectly, and I don’t see how to aesthetically solve this issue.

-- Jojo, shopless in Kyoto · http://twitter.com/kagushokunin

Jojo, have you never heard of duct tape? It’s always the perfect solution for ill fitting miters. LOL

Actually, my thought is to fold the bark. The miter cut would be only in the substrate. I don’t know for a fact that it would work but I imagine with proper treatement, it could be made to go. Besides, it’s SketchUp. I can do anything I want. :-)

We’re now onto an entirely different design. Wee! Ain’t this fun? I like being able to work through the design process. I’ll post up an image in the next day or so to give you the client’s current leaning.

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

OK, you got me there. LOL!

The answer to the Universe is not 42 but Duct Tape, how could I’ve missed it?

I don’t know if folding would work though. Unless is in SketchUp, of course. Which species’ bark would it be? Very thick and textured like pine of cork or thin like a veneer over the substrate? Bark tends to dry pretty quickly and thoroughly and folding that is dangerous in my book.

I’m really looking forward to see your new design.

-- Jojo, shopless in Kyoto · http://twitter.com/kagushokunin

The bark is “Fire Cherry” and apparently comes from pin cherry trees. According to the website of the folks that sell it, the veneer is between 1/16” and 3/32” thick.

http://www.barkhouse.com/index.php

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.

Wow! What a great website you just uncovered, thank you.

With such thin bark you should be fine, I was thinking more along the lines of a 1/2” thick bark like pine or so. This is more of a cool veneer and it looks great in the pictures.

I’m really looking to see how it ends up turning out. Are you planning to build it yourself or to have it built after your design?

-- Jojo, shopless in Kyoto · http://twitter.com/kagushokunin

Jojo – I eat soup with chop sticks too… but still, not with a fork ;) Pho, or Udon are my fav.

I’m sorry if using the word ‘disturbing’ seemed overpowering – that was not my intent, I meant it in an environmental point of view as if something is ‘disturbed’ in the picture.. out of place, sticks out… and not in a ‘it’s disturbing the world from spinning, it has to be removed’ meaning.

peace

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

Hey, it’s all right PurpLev, those are the kirks of the internet, no body language and people from all paths of life sometimes make communication strange or difficult. I understand your point and see how—to some—it can look awkward.

At least we share our preference in matter of soups, a tasty ”udon” with those thick noodles IS definitely the best! Now the question is: do you slurp as loud as I do? ;o)

-- Jojo, shopless in Kyoto · http://twitter.com/kagushokunin

Jojo, I’m doing the drawing/design work for my client, a cabinet maker in the southeast part of the US. He’s building it for one of his clients. After the design work is completed and approved, I make plans and a cutlist for him to work from. I doubt I’ll ever see the finished product except in photos.

So does that site give you some ideas?

-- Until you spread your wings, you'll have no idea how far you can walk.