No. 25 Bombe Chest ... on Crack -Reader Idea Week

     I was going to title today's post "45 degrees" as Steve Taylor had called it when he submitted the idea; but after finishing the sketch I didn't feel that it was quite adequate. Before we go there though, lets look at Steve's idea, in his own words: "45 degrees - A piece of furniture that prominently features parts that aren't orthogonal to horizontal or vertical."
     After much frantic sketching and mind changing I decided to update (probably not the right word) a classic: The Bombe Chest. It's elegance and fluid lines seemed to scream to me "enough already, I need some angles". So I obliged.

     I am going to preempt the comments of "is that in perspective?" or "how many vanishing points does that have, like 100?" or whatever by saying, "let he/she who has posted a better sketch on FD throw the first comment". While I'm on the preemptive path, let me assure all of you Chippendale lovers (of which I most certainly am one) that this is merely a fun exercise and not, in any way, meant to insult or diminish the beauty of its inspiration. 

     Aside from that, all I would say about this piece is that it was crazy to think up, crazy to draw and would be equally crazy to build.

Don't forget to submit your own designs and join the community over at furnituredesign.tumblr.com

No. 20 Chest on Stand -Bedroom Cases

     Today's piece is very minimalist and the write up will be as well.
     This piece basically consists of two half blind dovetailed boxes, a couple of drawers and four legs. This configuration could easily be modified to suit specific needs by simply swapping the legs with longer/shorter versions or getting rid of them entirely. The only attempt at cleverness in this piece is as follows. The sides of the lower box are the same thickness as the legs. The inside width of the top box is the same as the dimension between the legs, creating a common vertical line from the base through the top. The upper box sides are 1/3 to 1/2 the thickness of the legs. All of the horizontal members share the same thickness.
     The only curvature in this piece comes from the drawer pulls. Concave ovals are carved into the drawer fronts and a slightly tapered horizontal rectangle is inset (see detail). The wood should be quartered ash on all but the horizontal pulls which should be English oak.

The Good: I really like this piece...

The Bad : ...in my head because what I put down on paper is rubbish! The problem, as I examine the train wreck, is that my proportions fell apart. They are just about right in the front and side views but the perspective seems not to have been paying attention. ...(looking deeper)...OK found it: somebody (I will not name names here) squeezed the width out of it. Oh well, better luck next 345 times.

REMINDER: I'll be selecting the winning reader idea submissions tonight (Jan. 20) at 8:15 pm est live on Twitter if anybody cares to follow along. I will post all the winners tomorrow and the first sketch will roll out Friday.

Also, don't forget to submit your own designs and join the community over at furnituredesign.tumblr.com

No. 18 Contemporary Chest of Drawers -Bedroom Cases Week

     I have spoiled you reader. I want to apologize for that. The last few days have featured so much writing that I fear you have become dependent on "words" rather than "sketches", the very essence of this blog. Secondarily, the aforementioned writing causes me untold anxiety and consumptive thoughts of inadequacy, knowing that I cannot maintain the "quality" nor sheer volume I have established as the archetype. This ends now. From this point on, short and sweet is the name of this game. No more fancy word play. No more clever prose to describe what perfectly adequate pictures illustrate in a fraction of the time and space. Oh, don't even get me started on time and space...Sorry. Back to topic. From here on out, as a great Philosopher once wisely stated: just the facts.
     Looking at this piece I just had the realization that the diamond shape of the legs was the first form I learned to draw in perspective. OK that was technically a fact, but not the kind I was talking about. Aside from the leg shape this case is pretty self explanatory. The only thing out of the ordinary are the continuous pulls, not because they are new to my designs (I have used similar pulls in recent designs), but because they are offset from center on the outer drawer banks. Combined with the center drawer pulls and horizontal drawer dividers they create a subtle grid work pattern.

The Good: This is a solid design. It is functional. Unique without being flashy. Stable but not overweight.

The Bad: The details. It always comes down to the details. Breadboard ends? Thickness of top/legs/bottom rail, etc. etc.. Not "Bad" per se just unfinished, unresolved.

There is only one more day to get your ideas in for reader submission week. Submit your ideas here.

Also, don't forget to submit your own designs over at furnituredesign.tumblr.com