We were sent this link to Artpharce's Flickr set in which he puts together an elegant sideboard, step by step.
While the instructions are minimal, the pictures do speak volumes and there are some great tips in there even for those who know a lot about carpentry already. Of particular not is the funky varnishy, stripey Paul Smith finish, though we would have gone a little thicker on the legs. He also has a really nice set for restoring the chairs below... (Thanks, Jill!)
very cool. i wish i were married to someone who could do something like this ... because i never could, not in a million years. no, really, i just couldn't. i have a hard time measuring straight, never mind handling power tools.
Julian, nice work. Ya make it look so easy. And those chairs! Entice the kitty (very very cute btw) with other more eminently scratchable delectables.
thanks for sharing your knowledge
this is great, and it looks like with a few modifications it could be pretty easy to do. this is exactly what i'm looking for for my tv, but with casters and room for cords.
Thanks all...I've added more wordy comments. I'll soon add more photos of other projects...
Opponax- if you scrap the 45 degree joints and were to get some square drive screws (or hex head screws) you could just screw the top together and with countersunk square drive screws it would look very machine-like; very deliberate. Or you could sink the screws in a bit deeper and then plug the holes with dowell plugs. And if you don't have a circular saw make the lumber yard cut the wood for you...
olga-
Your kitchen set is stellar! My landlords agreed to pay for a full kitchen renovation (I'm doing the work in turn for fixed rent) this spring. I'm going to have to live in my place while I do it- exciting but a bit scary! I'm curious as to how your has gone/is going and if you have any reccomandations...
julian -- yeah, that's what i was thinking, as i don't have a circular saw. i also don't think i have the patience to run grooves rather than using that metal track stuff. the 'machine made' stuff isn't so much the issue -- i like a good homemade piece and have no problem with it looking like one.
Um, thanks, great!
I actually have questions for you regarding wood components for the kitchen, which I am immersed in and yes living in, around, atop, etc. All that and a curious cat!! All I can say is: I love my top of the line HEPA vac. And a large piece of plywood to block off the work area when I'm not in it. But at every hour of the day and night I'm in there measuring, pondering, puttering. Endlessly entertaining.
Here's what gets really annoying fast: washing dishes in tha bathroom sink. I've clogged it up many times over, but sionce it's being gutted I don't care. Doing your reno in the summer is advisable: less need to cook. I've resorted to not eating, essentially; just fruits and veggies and only dealing with feeding and washing up after the beastie. I have a temporary kitchen set up with fridge, an induction hot plate and toaster, but I hate to make a mess in the living room and the pain of cleaning, fuhgettaboutit. Being in NY I never have to eat at home.
It's quite trying sometimes. I come here to procrastinate and get some semblance of succor.
My contractor is back on monday and by then I am to hump the 73" x 25" x 1 1/2" birch countertop back to IKEA and get a bigger one, 96" x25. I opened up the box to look see and it seems decent.
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15576&catalogId=10103&storeId=12&productId=60908&langId=-1&categoryId=16273&chosenPartNumber=40091673
It is finger jointed (if I'm getting that right), so not as strong as edge or end grain butcher block. BUT, also not hundreds of dollars; it's ridiculously affordable and I'm geek enough to oil it repeatedly for posterity. What do you think about a birch countertop as opposed to the fancy, gorgeous ($$$) butcher block options out there? Time is of the essence and yet not, since I still have a copper farmer apron sink at the cabinetmaker's, not yet made and that countertop will be teak or acacia (but here the top area is only about 30" long total). That will go in on the opposite wall by the stove; I still have to get a faucet and strainer. Waiting for homeclick.com to do their 10% off thing.
What's the best way to communicate?
Olgaa68 at yahoo dot com
How did you make the stripes look so perfect?