Wednesday, February 16, 2011

catching up

i've been out of the writing thing for a bit here. i've been back playing some paddle tennis and pool in the evenings and things have picked up a bit in the office. aside from sending out drawings and estimates and shoveling snow, we've got a few new complex little 'new design' projects we're working on. plus, we received our approved finish sample last week and delivered the 'big island' yesterday. tomorrow trevor and i will do the final onsite assembly. it's nice to have our shop back after walking around a 16' object for a month or so ... it was a long way to the bandsaw for a long time ... click the photos to enlarge them ...
first coat of finish ...
as it says, before the seal coat
on site, but not assembled ..
i forgot the columns stuck out beyond the cornice and we had to take off the front door (twice), and a piece of weatherstripping to go straight out ... close one ..
back to normal ...
sam's latest bench project
the client has added a shelf under the seat for books, etc. it's a bedroom piece under the tv in the same room as the cylinder cabinets. (see the post below) ..
we started with a cross piece centered on every other rivet, but i'm guessing we'll fill them all in once the client checks it out tomorrow ...
and, my neighbor made an intriguing little sketch for some stools for her kitchen island ... she took one of our 'egypt' legs and added some footrests ... if you've ever tried it, you know it's not possible to go directly from a sketch to a 'real' chair or stool without a full size mockup. (see below) ... how comfortable is that drawing? is it the right size?
well, our first shot wasn't ... too big ... the second one was 'just right'
cool design and most comfortable if you sit across the seat as it makes the seat bigger without making the whole seat too big ... happy accident ..
and then, our friend mr. ruhlman sent us some inspiration from 1st dibs and france circa 1928 or so .... it looked sooooo simple in the picture ...
but wait, how do you fit that curved compound angled glued up veneered back piece to the rest of the thing ... cardboard helps,but patience and a good attitude is the sharpest tool in the box ... it's coming ... more later when we get out the Edelman 'snakeskin' leather. it's going to be something ...
some fumed spessart quartersawn oak (never heard of it) from Talarico Lumber for an upcoming fancy 'phases of the moon' bookcase project ... should be fun ..
and lastly, oh my aching back ... 2and a half feet or so of snow blown up against the house directly above the front entry ... it was easier to shovel it down than it would have been to shovel it up after it slides ... this was a once in eleven winter event ...
i only shoveled the half over the walk ... the far half slid off monday night ... one of the first days above freezing in 2011. all for now ... phew!

3 comments:

Jeff Branch said...

Where to start - 1) beautiful finish on the continent sized island; 2) like the bench; 3)cool stool; 4) I may try to build a chair soon just because I have seen several cool ones lately including yours; and 5) looking forward to see what you are going to do with the big slab. :)

mckenzie said...

Wow, that island looks incredible... your client is going to love that kitchen. I'd love to know how you achieved the lovely finish.

tyler

Dorset Custom Furniture said...

stay tuned for an update on the finish schedule ... dan