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Building Matching Custom Mid Century Modern Bedside Tables
This project involved creating a pair of custom Mid Century Modern bedside tables for a wonderful client in Atlanta. They had recently moved into a new home and were in the midst of significant renovations. Seeking to infuse their space with personalized touches, they reached out after seeing a picture on Instagram of a similar bedside table I had crafted earlier. This is how we embarked on designing these unique pieces tailored specifically to their bedroom.
Wood Selection and Design
Given that I had previously constructed a similar Mid Century Modern bedside table, I brought it along during a visit to their house to ensure proper sizing. Although my prototype was slightly undersized, it served as an excellent reference point for crafting the ideal dimensions.
Together, we determined that tables measuring 26 inches tall, 20 inches wide, and 20 inches deep would suit their space perfectly. These dimensions allowed for approximately a 6-inch opening, considering the 1-inch thickness of the materials and the inclusion of 18-inch-long hairpin legs for the base. The case design would feature continuous grain patterns running up the sides and across the top.
For the wood selection, the client chose cherry wood, which is my personal favorite due to its rich color and texture. A natural hand-rubbed oil finish paired with a hand-rubbed wax topcoat was selected, as this combination beautifully enhances the inherent qualities of cherry wood.
Milling the Cherry Wood
To achieve the desired thickness of 1 inch, I sourced rough-sawn 5/4 solid cherry wood from a local supplier. This choice ensured a sturdy and robust finish that would complement the grandeur of their California King-sized bed.
Initial Milling Process
Starting the milling process, I first cut the case pieces to their rough lengths, ensuring that the sides and top aligned with the continuous grain pattern we aimed for. Afterward, each piece was passed through the joiner to guarantee a perfectly flat surface on one side.
Planing the Wood
Once one side was flat, the pieces moved to the planer to achieve parallel surfaces and reduce the thickness to the final 1-inch dimension. This meticulous process is crucial for maintaining uniformity and stability in the final product.
Gluing Up the Pieces
With the milling complete, attention turned to gluing up the panels that would form the cases. Given the width of the cherry wood pieces, only two pieces were needed to achieve the desired depth of 20 inches.
Building the Cases
After the panels were removed from the clamps, I used a card scraper to eliminate excess glue and then ran them through my SuperMax 19-38 drum sander to smooth out the surfaces. This tool is indispensable for saving time and ensuring a high-quality finish.
Cutting the Case Panels
To begin shaping the cases, I squared the left edges using a Makita track saw. Following this, I marked and cut the panels to create the left side, top, and right side of the case. Each cut was carefully measured to ensure precision and maintain the continuous grain pattern.
Adding Miter Joints
To strengthen the joints, I reinforced them using a Festool Domino to create slipped tenons. This step was essential for ensuring the structural integrity of the miter joints, which would otherwise be prone to weakening over time.
Final Assembly and Finishing
Once the cases were assembled and sanded, the final touch was applying the chosen finish. The hairpin legs were attached, completing the transformation of raw materials into elegant bedside tables that perfectly matched the client's vision.
Conclusion
Crafting these Mid Century Modern bedside tables was both enjoyable and fulfilling, especially knowing that my client loved the outcome. The intricate details, such as the continuous grain pattern and precise miter joints, posed challenges that were ultimately rewarding to overcome. I am eager to see how the cherry wood's hue evolves over time, adding depth and richness to the tables. Thank you for reading, and feel free to share your thoughts or inquiries about custom furniture pieces. – Derik
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