Hybrid Windsor Bench

My goal for the Hybrid Windsor Bench was to create a bench that ventures beyond Windsor traditions.   Made of sculpted parts of warm wood combined with cool clean steel, it would be inviting to the touch and keep the sitter interested in where they are sitting. 

Windsor chairs and benches are defined by a solid seat that has legs and back mortised into it.  In this piece, I have exchanged the wedged tenon wooden joinery with stainless steel bolts and fittings while the back and leg support structure is swapped for CAD designed parts.

Every new design remains a mystery until it is completed and I am very happy with how this came out. The back has a nice give to it as do the backs of my usual Windsor chairs that have my trademark "Floating Back". This steel supported back is quite flexible in contrast to what may be expected. The wood is warm and inviting to touch. I think that this is the beginning of many new related pieces. 

 

Over the last few years I have taught myself Computer Aided Design or CAD.  For this project, I worked up the design for the piece using the CAD software, but more importantly, I was able to create the files that ran the machine which cut out the stainless steel components.  I emailed the files to a machine shop in the next town over and the files were used to drive a waterjet  cutter to make my parts. Each part is exactly like the next and exactly what I had designed.

The wooden part of the design centers around a seat that is cut from the same pattern as my more traditional Windsor benches and has turned legs that also come from my 

previous work.  The sculpted crest rail is new but is actually bent over the same jig as my other Windsor benches. See my other benches here.

While the steel is cut out by a computer guided machine, the wooden parts are shaped and sculpted by hand and the steel parts are all ground and polished to create touchable edges.  All of the stainless steel bolt fastenings are chosen to create a finished looking surface top and bottom.  The hex heads that are visible on the top of the bench are set flush to the surface. In my mind, these are similar to the look of a traditional,  wooden, through wedged tenon joint.  As in Shaker tradition, joints are not hidden but are celebrated whether they be metal or wood.

I am sure that there will be some opinions on the use of 'Windsor' in the name of this design and I welcome the discussion.

Below is the sketch that led to this design.

 

Enjoy the fall weather!

Tim

Mid Century Modern Bench w/ Drawers

This Mid Century Modern bench has minimal look with rich warm wood that can fit in a modern or traditional setting.  The proportions of this bench were designed to fit in an entry hallway.  The drawers were for kids gloves and mittens and it is a good spot for taking off  shoes and boots.  It is strong statement of style as one enters the home.   This bench is made of walnut and ash. The walnut on this bench is stained so that it will remain dark. Walnut will lighten over time if it is not stained.  Cherry would also be a good choice in place of the walnut.

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As all of my work is made to order, this bench could be made deeper and taller for more of dinner bench.  Also, it could be made in almost any length. The original of this design was 14' long and was built in two sections, joined in the middle.


Take a look at my website to see all of my furniture. The page of Benches and Settee (the same thing really) is here http://www.timothyclark.com/settee.html

Enjoy the warm weather,

Tim

bunny in the yard

One of a Kind - Live Edge Bench -

By its very nature, Live Edge furniture results in one of a kind pieces.   This one leans a bit farther in the one of a kind direction.  After months and months of building my usual designs, I made this piece as a fun "no rules" exercise.  When I began, I was not even sure that I would make a bench and had planned to make a small table out of one end or the other of this live edge slab.   As I was ready to cut the plank, I started to appreciate the center part of the plank with all of the "character".   So, on a whim, I cut off the ends and left a 57" length with the "character" right in the middle, deciding that it would be a bench.  Realizing that the center would not be strong enough to sit on, unsupported, I decided to give it a center leg.   The stretchers that support that center leg come into it at an angle to echo the curve of the seat.   As I turned the legs,  I designed as I went having nothing in particular in mind.  I turned the straight collar section at the joints, stepped it down for a tapering run to the bottom and top.  I really like the graceful curve of the seat. This would be strange normally but works beautifully as it is the natural curve of the tree.  This bench is available and is priced at $1800.  Let me know if you are interested.  

The knotty section in the center was stabilized with epoxy and while textured at the edge, it is smooth to the touch.

I think of it as a bench for a mudroom or hall but here it works as a coffee table.

Ziggy says- Happy Fall!

Busy Busy Busy

I have not posted a new blog in a long time.  I have had a very busy summer and fall that has not left me with a lot of free time.  I did just start an instagram page- timothyclarkfurniture that I am using quite a bit.  Mostly, I am posting shots of work in progress right from
the shop.  You can see a small slideshow at the right on this page.

I am just finishing up a king size Painted Pencil Post Bed that will be going to Texas soon.  It is my second pencil post bed to Houston in the last six months. Interesting.   The pictures below were taken after the first coat of milk paint.  It is still gray and dull looking.  After the second coat, it will be oiled and then sealed and will have a dark look with a low sheen.

Shavings from planing out the various parts of the bed.

Below is a drawing of the huge bench that has taken up much of my time lately. It will be over 25' long and will turn a corner at each end and run for a bit over 4'.  So in all, it will be around 33' feet long. The Buddha had 33 teeth they say.  So therefore...     when I finish I may just achieve Nirvana.  Just checking to see if anyone is reading this.

The crest rail is almost completed on the end of the bench.

OK, a few shots of Stella who always keeps me entertained.

Have a good Thanksgiving.

Tim

New 5' Waltham Bench w/ Thin Crest Rail

This is a design that I have wanted to do for a long while now and I was lucky enough to get an order for one and then another order for the same bench and two matching arm chairs to go with it. Below are some shots before painting.  The black bench is very pretty but hard to photograph. Some of the details come out a little better when the bench is in its raw state.  This bench was delivered today to the New York side of Lake Champlain.  It was kind of a wild ride on the ferry crossing. see video below.

the bench in place in its new home. the new owner tells me that the chairs will be replaced to go better with the new table and bench. 

All Work and No Play? Settee Delivery and Sailing

I recently delivered this 6' Cod Rib Settee to a very nice house on Lake Memphramegog in Vermont. 

I was happy to be able to take advantage of being in that part of Vermont with a sail with Paul Donio and his wife Heidi on their very nice little cruiser, Evo.  Paul and Heidi showed me a very relaxing time on the lake,  away from the shop.   Paul is also a furniture maker and we are both members of the Guild of Vermont Furniture Makers.  The Guild is a group of about 30 juried members who while being professionals and competitors also manage to enjoy each others company.  More than making furniture, most of us share a lifestyle that we have chosen and worked hard to make work.  Many of us share, creativity, perseverance, love of figuring things out, stubbornness,  cantankerousness in some cases (no names).  Anyway, we always have a lot to talk about when we get together. You can visit our website at www.VermontFurnitureMakers.com.

Cod Rib Settee all ready to go in my van the night before delivery.  ( I put blankets on it right after this show so that it would not get cold.)

The settee in its new home.

Tim and Paul after a good sail.

Paul and Heidi 

Evo

Looking into Canada from Vermont.

 Enjoy the beginning of fall,
Tim