No. 21 Toppled Dresser -Bedroom Cases Week

     Getting this post out late today, but sick kids and other commitments are greater priorities, so it is what it is. There are a few things to cover before we talk about today's design, so lets dig in.
     First, I want to thank Matt Kenney, Associate Editor at Fine Woodworking Magazine, who mentioned this blog, as well as my newly started Furniture Design Community Blog, on FWW's website today. I really do appreciate it Matt, many thanks. As a result of this I'm sure I have a few new readers today, and I want to thank you for stopping by and encourage you to join the growing community over at the FDC Blog. We would love to see what is in your sketch books and on your minds.
     This is day 21 of 365 which means that, in addition to being less than one percent of the way through this challenge (keeping things in perspective), we are at the end of week three, and moving into week four: Reader Submission Week. The premise is simple: you share ideas for furniture that you would like me to draw and I pick seven at random go to work. I announced the winners last night on Twitter and will list them here as well.
          Ken Weinert- Recycling Cabinet 1/22
          Scott Meek- Japanese Inspired Jewelry Box 1/23
          Ken Weinert- Hanging Entertainment Center 1/24
          Steve Tayler- 45 degrees 1/25
          Steve Tayler- Round Drawer Fronts/Square Case 1/26
          Scott Meek- Toy Box 1/27
          Terrie Hall- Circular Vanity 1/28

     That is that. Now to the Toppled Dresser. This being the last post of Bedroom Cases Week, I wanted to end  it on a different note, with some fun. A little lesson this one taught me was if an idea is worth my time, take the time it is worth. Because I am constantly drawing to feed this blog, I will often hurry through certain designs or parts there of. I am OK with that. This blog and exercise are about creativity and new ideas not perfect drawings. However when something really clicks I need to slow down and follow it through. After I finished the perspective on this drawing, I stepped back and realized that I had badly misrepresented the piece. Instead of scanning and posting with an "oops" note (which I have done...recently) I erased and started again, and I'm very glad that I did.
     I'm not sure of wood selection for this dresser, but I think the design and playfulness would work better in a lighter variety (just my opinion). I think the piece speaks for itself so I won't say another word about it.

The Good: I like the order in the chaos. One molding profile repeated in the top, base, feet and pulls. The drawers, if put together, would fit to make a full case. Just like the vibe of it too.

The Bad: Not sure I can criticize a piece designed for fun (but please don't let that stop you from doing so).

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

No. 16 Ladies Dresser -Bedroom Cases Week

     The title of this post and piece has to do with the size and overall style, not an assumption that only women would/should use this dresser. Disclaimer out of the way, lets move along, shall we.
     This piece is a classic 90/10. I had 90% of the piece done in 10% of the time but that last 10% took, well, 90% of the time. The 10% in this case was the base and feet. I think I must have drawn ten versions with at least two variations each. The design has the feel of an 18th or 19th century piece. After all the concave front of this piece is the exact opposite of a serpentine, reverse serpentine or Bombay chest of drawers so a direct comparison is inevitable. My point is that they are all geometric alterations to a basic, square form.

     The two top levels have three drawers each. Petite outer drawers flank the long center and serve as storage for more delicate items. The three bottom drawers run the length of the case for full storage. I could see this piece being made in almost any wood species, but I don't really have a feel for any particular one right now. The rest should be pretty obvious.

 

The Good: The overall shape of the piece is very appealing to me. Not traditional, but derived from tradition. Not contemporary but having an unmistakably modern feel. I like it.

The Bad: Though they took the longest to work through, I am still not entirely satisfied with the base and feet. The curvature is very specific and even a little deviation makes the whole piece seem a little off. I would spend more time concentrating on them if this piece were to go to production.

There are only three more days 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

Day 15 Bedroom Closet or Drawers or Case or Something. -Bedroom Cases Week

      Hello readers, guess what today is? Nope... No... Close... Almost...YES! It is the beginning of week three! (BTW I'm not really clairvoyant, I was just guessing that it took you five guesses to get it, but I was right...right?)
     Week three snuck (sneaked) up on you didn't it. Trust me you're not alone. In fact, in my unrealization(TM), I goofed terribly. I had said last week that I planned on drawing pieces from the same category all this week. However, when I chose today's category I thought I was choosing for today alone, as part of last week. What to do, what to do? After much soul searching and review of the rule book I have decided that today's category will be adopted as this week's category.
     This week's category will be: Bedroom Cases. To begin the week I submit an oddity. A hybrid. A circus freak if you like. Not wanting to draw your standard, run of the mill case of drawers, I threw in a few doors, two panels and a couple more doors, with mirrors. The idea is a slightly altered chest of drawers that integrates closet doors. The effect is a clean wardrobe-looking-thing when closed and a fairly standard looking case when open. The doors have mirrored panels on the inside that can be positioned for optimal looking-at-ones-self. If you happen to be Medusa or a Vampire, the hinges allow the doors to fold away nearly flat against the sides of the case. I have included two sketches which are identical aside from a variation to the base.

 

The Good: Innovation is good. I'm not entirely convinced that this is innovation though. I like where this is headed, but it still has a long way to go.

The Bad: Two sketches. Two bases. Not fond of either.

Next week is reader submission week and I have yet to receive enough ideas to make it to day three, let alone choose seven at random. Snap to it people! Just kidding. Kinda. Submit here.

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