Louis Philippe bureau - now for sale!

A traditional French bureau in the Louis Philippe style.

Combining the classic design style of the period with contemporary detailing (based upon the Chamonix Valley skyline).

The case edging recreates the view of the Mont Blanc massif as seen from Lac Blanc.

The reflection of the silhouette (as seen in the lake) can be seen in relief on the lower drawer front.

One of my favourite features of Olive Ash is the stunning end grain which was used to create the main panel of the desktop and case detailing.

Made entirely from solid, local Frene Olivier (olive Ash).

Dim: H 950mm W 900mm D 530mm

900€ - drop me a line if you’re interested.

Simple Oak bookcase

It's been nice looking been through past projects while updating my website.

Here's a nice simple solid Oak bookcase from a few years back.

Lovely Oak staircase

Whilst looking through some old photos (in order to check something for an upcoming project) I stumbled upon these shots of an Oak staircase I built about 6 years ago - how time flies!

Skateboard ply fun

So…..as part of my rebellion against all things ‘suity’ with the Double Valet project I decided to use some Maple skateboard plywood in the design. As a lifelong skateboarder I have an affinity with the simple aesthetic of layered Maple sheets and thought it would juxtapose nicely with the conformity and misery of suit-iness.

I sourced some longboard sized sheets of coloured and natural marine Maple and set about pressing my own plywood before then incorporating it into the design.

It wasn’t without a few curve balls and a few teething issues but all-in-all I’m really pleased with how it turned out and I’ll certainly be using it again in future projects.

Have a look and see what you think…..

More Bureaux intel.....

During my forced sabbatical (laid up with a bad back - again!) I thought I’d offer up some more intel on the recent Louis Phillippe bureaux project…

The mountain silhouette on the case is the view from Lac Blanc above the Chamonix valley with the detailing mirrored in relief on the main drawer front beneath.

The wood chosen for that detailing was done so with the distinct dark/light colouring line in mind. The wood was positioned so that the contrasting line fell at approx. 3100m on the mountains (or the average summer snowline).

As I’m unable to do much at the minute I went through and edited some additional photos for your viewing pleasure - it really is a pretty little thing :)

Incapacitated but still learning…

Despite being unable to attend school this week (and potentially longer) due to a massive re-buggering of a previously herniated disc in my lower back I've still been able to keep the learning going by starting an online course in Fusion 360 - 3D CAD software - boom!

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Marquetry 'fun’

We've been learning about all things marquetry recently in preparation for the next big project (beginning next week). I'm pretty happy with the results of my first ever attempt. :)

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Banquette seating and some light upholstery

What does the wood nerd do with four days off from wood school??? Relax, go riding, skiing, take a looooong bath? Nope, he builds, upholsters and installs a set of banquette seating that’s what!

And we're done.....

Pretty excited to be finished with my current project! :)

It is officially a 'Double Valet' (usually a piece of hotel furniture to keep suits crease-free).

I refused to make anything that would help suits so the hangers detach and an additional shelf is inserted to make a vinyl storage unit.

It'll only ever exist in this guise until it is marked and then it'll live out it's life as a home for some mighty fine records.

Full site entry to come after the transformation…..

Hangers

With the end in sight for this project I made these nice hangers for the unit.

Lathe fun

It's the final few days of this build and my back was just about ok to turn the pieces for my hangers - full finished photos coming soon…..

Handles

I’m now most of the way through the second big project of the course and I’ve been playing around with some handle ideas for the drawers on the unit. I’m pretty pleased with how the idea turned out, now I just have to replicate them on the actual piece - wish me luck!

I snapped!

I finally snapped re: the disorganised mess of thousands of loosely thrown hats and gloves etc... and made a personalised oak divider thingy.....and breathe.....

Hand-router gift!

Look at this lovely oak/brass hand router I received from the parents - looking forward to restoring it and putting it to good use.

Sneak peak...

Here's a bit of detailing on the new build.

Inlaid skateboard ply strips set into an Oak frame with curved and straight edges, mitred / rounded corners and non-square joints - happy days!

#mathemagician

A bit of carving

Here's a little thing I made during a carving class. Not sure when/where this skill will come in useful but it's pretty enough :)

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Tabled lap joint fun

Sunday fun in the workshop making some recessed hanger curtain rails in Oak, including a lovely tabled lap joint for an extra long one 😎

Big Mountain picture frames

I knocked up some Walnut picture frames for the splendid work of @digitalsteak which are now gracing the walls of @bigmountainbar in Chamonix (and are available to buy framed in time for Christmas :) )