Commissions...
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Mahogany Dictionary Stand-
Private Client, Flushing, MI
This dictionary stand was made for an elderly client who had always toyed with the idea of “doing a little writing”. Her husband had passed away in recent months and she decided it was time to get on with it. The piece was nicely proportioned but not quite as tall as what one might expect a dictionary stand to be. Though a bit shorter than normal, the piece actually appears considerably taller if the client is next to it as she is of diminutive stature.
Overall, a nice piece with classic lines, an additional shelf and functional accessory drawer.
Round Coffee Table-
Private Client, Myrtle Beach
This piece was a collaborative design effort with the client as the area where the piece was to be used was rather small. The client had very specific parameters as to what the finished product was to be. The table was constructed to look like wide planking was used and was finished in an off-white matte tone with very light distressing. Though sturdy in appearance, it had a nice, airy feel to it on completion. Perfect for the clients beach house!
Cherry/curly maple desk with low credenza top-
Private Client, Ann Arbor, MI
This piece was designed with an open feel in mind without excessive drawer space. While the bulk of the desk is constructed of solid cherry and cherry veneers, the client wished to have the hutch top and writing surface done in highly-figured curly maple. I enhanced the piece by making the rear stretcher of curly maple as well and trimmed the lower edges as well. A large piece with a light, open feel.
“Ice Box” Credenza-
Private Client, Linden MI
This client was referred to me by another shop in the area with a piece for restoration. While it may have been nice in its day, the old “ice box” she had procured from a relative’s root cellar was well beyond reasonable, restoration results. (see ‘Before’ photos) It was a 4-door model with one large, one small & two matching- sized doors with some very exceptional hardware.
The hardware was the best feature of the piece and one set of those hinges had been replaced. ( see detail photos below) I convinced the client to construct a useful piece of furniture salvaging the two matching doors and hardware. We settled on a small version of the ice box complete in all the details of the original only designed as a low TV credenza with room inside for DVD/VHS player. The piece was fabricated in ash to match the original and enough of the broken appliqué work was salvaged and reconfigure to make a “new”, symmetrical design for the doors. After the client dropped the piece off, I was struck by the fact she had delivered it in a rather pricey SUV. Upon hardware removal I discovered an inordinate amount of old (and some not-so-old) animal droppings, bedding & nesting debris. I later advised her she may want to do a little searching under those plush, heated leather seats. I kept rather open ears & eyes for several days.
Sheet Music Cabinet- Private Client, Flushing, MI-
This pieced was designed as a result of virtually the same circumstances as the “ice-box” credenza. A client showed up with an equally dilapidated ice box she wished to use as a sheet music cabinet. There was nothing salvageable!! I refused to let it off the truck. We discussed her needs and she came back a few days later with some sizes and shelving requirements and I set to work upon this cabinet. The client being a music instructor, I suggested we use mahogany (often used in instrument making) for the bulk of the cabinet with the exterior, center panels of the doors constructed of highly figured and matched fiddle-back maple veneers (usually found in stringed instruments). The cabinet took on a bit of a contemporary flare with multiple, adjustable shelving and one full-depth file drawer. The unusual part of this commission and the ice-box credenza was that both were a redesign of two similar pieces and both commissions came in on the same day. Wood works in mysterious ways!
