WOODEN TRAINS......

Through the years, I have been inspired to make one of a kind toys for my own amusement.  The photos shown are examples of my latest project, a wooden art deco styled train engine. It measures 13" x 5 3/4" x 3 1/4".

Toys and design are so intertwined with art and design that you can understand how enticing these creative ideas would be.  Renowned architects and designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, Gerrit Rietveld, Frank Lloyd Wright, Marcel Breurer and many others have collected, played,  and designed toys throughout the ages.  A number of these makers continued developing their ideas into  large global companies, like carpenter Christiansen (Lego), or Hans Beck (Playmobil) and became largely successful. Toys are a big business.
Today, artists and designers are developing collector, limited edition cars, planes, dolls, and rockets etc. in precious metals and materials for the serious adult reflecting on their own lost childhood.

I think however that the unknown parents and grandparents have  the most pleasure quietly creating their toys for pleasure and entertainment. Rattles, and rocking horses, doll houses and wagons or games with multiple pieces and mechanics have delighted countless hours of childrens
 imagination with play things both simple or complex.  I  believe that these silent craftsmen and women will carry on this toy making tradition of making those enduring toys for their own children to treasure.

BEAUTIFUL AND TIMELESS.....

Many people today want something special to fill their homes.  Pieces that don't look like they came from Pottery Barn, but  are also frustrated in filtering through hundreds of web sites that pop up in an on line search. Small custom shops like Second Story Furniture are here to fill that need.

This is my latest example of a fine Arts and Crafts styled chair, designed to complement a small desk in a home.  The chair is hand built using quarter sawn oak, and finished in a traditional fumed oak finish, which is very rarely done today. The upholstered seat is COM fabric.
My interpretation features arch rails in the back rail, and is repeated on the seat side and front rail, reflecting the designs of Harvey Ellis, who often used this motif to lighten the appearance in contrast to the mass of Stickley designs.  This would also make a beautiful set of chairs for a dining room.

The revival in period designs today have customers searching for accurate period reproductions and contemporary interpretations.  These are pieces of furniture that are built to last a lifetime and more.
If you are looking for that "something" special, please contact me.

KARELIAN BURL VNEEER........

This small table is a classic example of a Russian design. Russian furniture history is interesting because  Russian craftsmen combined various European styles of the day, and made it their own.
They relied heavily on Empire and Biedermeier styles at the beginning of the 19th century.  This is very clear in the lyre base, and ebony accents of this table. The flowing lines of an overlay on both sides of the lyre make the design uniquely Russian.

What makes this piece so special is the use of Karelian Burl veneer. This veneer comes from the Karelian Birch, which is a tree that grows only in the Karelian forest on the border between Finland and Russia. The tree grows very slowly, and is difficult to work with.  The small pieces of veneer are then worked into beautiful patterns, typical of the book and butt matched top panel. The honey colored veneer compliments the light colored woods found in many Biedermeier pieces.
     


This is a small table that can make a big visual impact. it measures 20 1/2"w. x 17"d. x 26 3/4"h.
Crafted as a one of a kind piece, it is now for sale.

THE DAFFODILS HAVE ARRIVED......

The color of spring flowers inspired the first yellow cube, and now that the flowers have arrived, I've  added my second piece to the group.  The door option. It has the same interior as the open cube, a blossom white interior and a single shelf, only now you can hide more things if you are a less organized person. Doors can be ordered opening left or right.

Used as a single stand alone piece, or bunched together, this makes a fine mid century or contemporary accent.

The cube measures 22"w. x 19 1/2"d. x 25"h.  and painted in custom School Bus Yellow.

A third piece featuring drawers will follow soon.

THOUGHTS OF SPRING........

As our snow quietly begins to slip away, we move to this spot between winter and spring.  The period of gray, and drab neutral colors of brown and dark vegetation hidden since last fall. The time of waiting for nature to explode in color.

The thought of spring brings flowers to mind, and the wonderful color of yellow. Think of all of those daffodils, and dandy lions, buttercups and tulips! The warmth of yellow is very inspiring, and I've taken notice, so here is a  different product direction since my last blog.



My latest project is this mitred cube, that can be used as a night stand, end table, or bunched together as a console. I'm thinking of making this a limited series with options for drawers and doors.  (more photos later)
The exterior is a custom  color I call "School Bus Yellow", the interior is blossom white, and the feet are glossy black.  The cabinet features a single adjustable shelf.
Measurements are :  22"w. x 19 1/2"d x 25" h.
Made of birch plywood and maple solids.

Considering your home for a moment, yellow is the perfect accent color to use in a neutral colored interior or to add a pop of color against the popular gray colors now showing up in so many interiors.

This is a great way to add a bright focal point in a very versatile piece of furniture. A clean, fresh look for todays interiors.

THE FINISHED DESK..............

Here are a few photos of the finished desk, shown without the drop front panel in place.
Our customer chose a custom finish to match an existing piece in their home.  The hardware  has also been antiqued to give the piece a vintage look.  The desk is finished on all sides so that it can be used within a room, and does not need to be set against a wall.

This desk was custom designed,  based on photos of original Wooton desks while incorporating space for a computer. The lower section of the center portion resembles an authentic desk, but serves a different function. The four drawer fronts are actually two compartments. The top two drawers are a false front that conceals a space for the power cord.  The lower two drawers are actually one panel the reveals a file drawer. The small pigeon hole drawers on the side cabinets are also false fronts concealing larger drawers, making the desk more functional for todays needs.

We feel this modern adaption is a design solution in providing a functional piece for todays use, while reflecting the history of a classic Victorian piece of furniture.  I wonder what William Wooton
 would have thought of this updated model of his design.

MIRROR,MIRROR.........

This Arts and Crafts mirror is a little smaller project I recently designed. I really like this period, and wrote about an  A&C desk I designed in an earlier post.
The  frame is styled after the British Arts and Crafts period. Their designs feature more carved elements and details, which I like.

The frame is made of quarter sawn Oak, and is finished with an authentic fumed oak finish. The frame measures 26 3/4"W. x 36" H.  It will make a  great accent  for a hallway or small room.
The top center pediment block is styled after a motif I found on a Liberty & Co. piece of furniture that I really liked, a stylized leaf and berries.

This  one of a kind piece is currently for sale.  Please contact me if you are interested in this frame, or any other custom piece made just for you.