ALMOST COMPLETE......

Construction is coming along nicely.  The gallery side brackets,  finials and overlays are all in place, and the exterior is now completely finished.

The lower center interior cabinet is almost complete, with the exception of routing decorative cutouts and adding knobs on the drawer fronts. There are four drawer fronts, nicely booked matched with Satinwood veneer to match the Satinwood  used on the drop front panel above them.   The top two drawers are a false front to hide the power cord. The lower two drawer fronts disguise a small file drawer.  The shelves and dividers on either side of the drawers are typical of a true Wooton desk.

The left hand cabinet interior will be completed within the next week, and then the desk can be finished. Once finished, we will add a leather writing pad to the interior side of the drop front panel, and reassemble the components into there locations.  The person that commissioned this piece has not seen it, and did not want to see it until it was completed.  I think he will be surprised, and hopefully pleased.

THE WORK CONTINUES.........

See the progress since the last post.  The side brackets and finials of the gallery, and three rosettes are all that is left to complete the exterior of the desk.

Bob has started working on the interior cabinets.   Lots of precision required here too, since this piece must fit inside if the side cabinet. It has been made this way so that it can be finished separately, and given a uniform finish without spraying into an enclosed cabinet.

The right hand interior is nearly finished.  The lower three openings are for drawers. Each drawer is hand fit into its space.  This cabinet should be completed in the next few days.

The lower section of the center cabinet is next. Stay tuned.

PROGRESS.......

THE Wooton Desk project has been moving along very well since my last post.

The first thing you may notice is that the quarter round moldings have been stained and assembled to the case.  The front cabinets now are attached to the case, and moldings and other details have been added.  The Satinwood stiles, and various rosettes and moldings will all be assembled next week, as well as the carved overlay door panels.

Final work on the gallery will complete the exterior, and Bob will begin the interior cabinetry. Each interior section will be unique with special features for various functions.  It's all coming together nicely, and should be completed before the end of November.

THE WORK CONTINUES.....

The front two cabinets are now being built, and the hinges machined to fit each cabinet. The hinges selected are solid brass and are cast from original molds adding to the authentic Victorian look.

The inside end panels of the front cabinets and the drop leaf writing panel are decorated with marquetry.  The panel background is Satinwood, the same material used by William Wooton on his most expensive desks, the Superior Grade Desk.

The writing panel features a diamond matched panel, inlaid with rosewood and English sycamore.

 If you look closely, you will notice that the flowers in each corner are shaded to create a 2D effect.  The Gothic styled  letter "G" in the center represents the customers last name.  When the cabinet is open, the actual writing surface is inlaid with a leather surface, outlined with gold tooling.

More progress and photos coming soon.

MOVING FORWARD.....

Progress on the Wooton desk.  The design features are renaissance revival and Eastlake elements since the customer wanted a piece not as ornate as the earlier Neo Gothic designs. The desk will certainly be Victorian, but more refined.

We are using a variety of woods and veneers on this piece, as well as black accent quarter round molding around each burl panel. Cherry solids are used, with Maple Burl panels on all side and door panels. All burl panels are matched in a set, from top to bottom and from the left side cabinet to the right, giving this piece a very uniformed look.

As you can see in the photo, the back cabinet is almost complete. The cabinet is shown without the writing surface, the gallery on the top, the drawers for the lower portion of the cabinet, and of course the front two cabinets.  The open top section will store the computer.
Bob Berghorst is the remarkable craftsman veneering, machining and building this piece, and now
 working on the front two cabinets. The curved panels have been veneered and more information will follow soon.

A WOOTEN DESK FOR 2014

Building custom pieces can be interesting and rewarding.Every now and then we get to design and build some very special pieces.

One such project is this reproduction Wooten styled desk.  If you are not familiar with Wooten, his patented desks were made in Indiana between 1870 and 1890's, and were rather unique in their day.
The original desks are now collectable and sell for $25,000. to $250,000.

I love the complexity of this piece, and admire the craftsmen that made these beautiful pieces more than a hundred years ago.

My design is a combination of various elements found in several different models. The exterior will appear Victorian while the interior will be designed to hold a computer.  The desk will also include authentic Wooten Cabinet Hardware, which is very ingenious in it self. A special lock and cam system securely lock all three sections of the cabinet together with just one key.
I will post more later as this piece takes shape.

AUCTION

Our annual museum fundraiser was held this past Saturday, May 3rd.
I had donated this one of a kind Art Deco Table for the auction.

The top is a three piece slip matched Maple panel, with the joints lining up with each leg to create a slight contrast in color. The top is banded with inlaided Maple and Ebony, and the base is made of  Walnut.
Each leg ends in a simple scroll shape.  The table sold for $350. and the new owner was a very happy lady.

Measurements: 18" dia. x 23" H.

QUALITY

I just read this quote that someone randomly posted on facebook, and thought it was pretty good.
I don't know who first said/wrote this, but I think it is so true for today.  I am sure there are many companies and products that would like to use this as their slogan.

"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."

Wish I had come up with that one.
So true.

ART DECO TABLE......

My most recent project has been this small Art Deco table, of original design.

It's a small piece that could fit in many locations. It measures 18" diameter, by 23" tall.
It is made with a solid Walnut base, and a three piece Maple veneered top. The edge band
is made of Maple and Ebony. It is a simple design, with the legs terminating in scrolled feet.
The table is now donated to our local Museum, and will be auctioned off as part of a fund raising project.
I'll try to post the results once the auction is completed.