Lacewood and maple dresser
This was a custom dresser made to fit a particular space. The design called for simple lines
and a modern look. The top does not overhang the case. The original
request was for a waterfall look for the top and sides but I rotated that 90 degrees so the
waterfall is seen from the sides. The overall size is roughly 40 inches tall, 17 inches deep and
33 inches wide.
Each drawer is unique and is largest at the bottom. Drawers are dovetailed at each corner and are
made from 1/2 inch poplar. All drawers have full extension slide hardware. A 3/4 inch thick piece of lacewood is
added to the front of each drawer and secured to that drawer from the inside with 2 screws
(the bottom drawer front is made from
2 pieces of lacewood and has 4 screws).
Construction is pretty streight forward. The case consists of 2 maple side assemblies each consisting of
two legs and two horizontal members. The top corners are mitered at 45 degrees for that waterfall look.
A piece of 1/2 inch maple plywood is inset into a dado
on all four pieces. The two panels are connected to each other by the top panel and three horizontal
stretchers (2 in the front and 1 in the back) via pinned mortise and tenons.
The top is 1/2 inch maple plywood plus 5/8 inch plywood for added stiffness. The front and rear edges are
covered with solid maple front and rear. The back is a single piece of 1/4 inch plywood held in place with 12 screws.
This adds extra side-to-side stability.
The finish is "Natural" Danish oil. When applied to the lacewood, its deep rich color comes through.
This shows the difference partway through the oil application.
The maple stock was milled from rough cut stock measuring about 3x5 by 9 ft. I bought it some years ago
at a yard sale. I bought the lacewood over a decade ago and it's been looking for a home. It has an incredible
shimmering look when the light strikes it at oblique angles; it has that fish-scale look with a rich red-orange
coloration that changes with the viewing angle and incident light.
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