Open Apron Nesting Tables

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These tables were made for a client who saw my “Music” table at the Sidney Fine Art Show last year. They were a bit of a challenge to design with enough strength without looking heavy but I’m quite pleased with the outcome.

Features include identical four way matches of Walnut burl on the two tables, open aprons that fair into the inside curves of the legs, ebonized Walnut mortise and tenon construction, and oh yes, my first cabriole legs. The Purpleheart band is to pick up the purple color in her carpet and yes, she’s fine with it darkening to a browner color over time.

The last photo shows the tables she originally brought me that she wanted to replace, the mock-up I built to check out strength issues and three dimensional aesthetics, and the finished tables.

She picked them up today and she loves them. Isn’t that nice?

There’s a build blog here.

Thanks for looking.

The early bird gets the worm but its the second mouse that gets the cheese.

20 Comments

Paul these are beautiful! I love the ebonizing detail and the veneer you choose. The blog gave great detail in how you did it. Thanks for sharing your expertise.

Anna

Exquisite work Paul! These are complex in design and finish but you pulled it off beautifully.

Rob, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

They came out fantastic Paul.
So much better than the originals. The burl on the top is outstanding.
Thanks for all the details.

Abbas, Castro Valley, CA

Paul,

Those are OUTSTANDING! No wonder she was delighted!

Everything about the tables is spectacular — your design, the choice of veneers, and the craftsmanship.

Thanks for sharing your journey.

L/W

“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” Benjamin Franklin

Just wow, Paul. Congrats on great job.

Martin Sojka, Maker of Craftisian

Very beautiful both in design and execution. Nice work!

Losing fingers since 1969

Outstanding Paul! Interesting without a doubt.
Thanks for blogging the build here as well. The “Other Site” is so slow to load anymore.

Involve your kids and grandkids. They'll love you for it!

Thanks everyone.
Gary, I agree. The instant uploads here are sooooooo nice. Thanks Martin!

The early bird gets the worm but its the second mouse that gets the cheese.

I knew it was going to be beautiful. Well done…I bet she WAS happy.

-- Alec (Friends call me Wolf, no idea why)

Very nice work Paul, They are so much nicer than the original one’s but I guess that was the whole point. The top looks beautiful with that burl.

-- Paul--- Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. — Scott Adams

Very nice design and build. Thanks for posting.

Tor and Odin are the greatest of gods.

That’s some fantastic work. Those aprons are some of the coolest I have ever seen.

I found a neat “trick” to prevent the exotics from color shifting. I like to apply watco teak oil before finishing. It’s basically danish oil but with with UV inhibitors. I’ve french polished right over it and it works similar to BLO as a padding oil for the first coat.

Turned out nice just as expected .
Love the veneer top .
Hope you are getting paid well you deserve it !

Klaus

Beautiful tables great job.

woodworking classes, custom furniture maker

These are just GORGEOUS, like everything you do! Wow!!

Amor Vincit Omnia

Everything you do is first class Paul.

Congratulations! I really love your design and execution of the book matching. Very nicely done.

Mike - Waukesha, WI

Congrats on the award! Fantastic!

Amor Vincit Omnia

Thanks, I voted for you Cindy.

The early bird gets the worm but its the second mouse that gets the cheese.