Round Pedestal Dining Table

This is a very hefty table designed with a concert of subtle curves that lighten the look. The very solid foot structure lifts the column two inches above the floor to further lighten the look. The round apron has a strong bead detail that sits proud of the surface allowing it to catch the light and eye. The larger bead details on the post echo this detail. The subtle curve of the post blends gracefully to the top to the feet. The top is varnished hard maple with a hand planed soft edge detail.  The base pedestal column is turned by hand from a cylinder of cherry and the feet and apron are made of cherry. Don't hesitate to ask if you have ideas based on this look or other ideas that you may have.

The table is 5' across. The base is cherry with milk paint sealed with Osmo hard wax oil. The top is maple with a varnished top to resist water marks etc.

The semi circle edge detail is inviting to the touch. The strong bead details catch the light nicely.

The customer for the piece had a large roll in the design. We went back and forth with ideas until we found something that we both felt was a strong design.  Below is the final 3D drawing of the table before I began making it. I drew this is a cad program so it it very accurate. During the building process, I can go back into the drawing and find measurements that are critical to the creation of the piece.

Enjoy the Fall weather!

Tim

Rocking Chairs are Back!!

 It seemed like maybe rocking chairs were becoming a thing of the past, but maybe, with everyone at home during Covid, things have changed for the rocker.  I have finished 3 rockers over the past few months and have another 3 or 4 on my schedule.    

Here are two rockers that I recently finished for one customer. One is in a custom dark brown that I call Delagi Brown and the other is black. One is headed for New York City and the other is headed out to California. 

These rockers have a long comfortable rocking motion and are a great addition to many different decors. The milk paint finish highlights the facets from the shaping of the hand shaped parts of the chairs.

Black on left, Delagi brown on right

Lucy and I, discussing the finer points of rocking chairs.

Hand Cut Dovetail Class at the HatchSpace

Just before all of the social distancing that we are now experiencing, I was lucky to be able to teach my Shaker Bench- Making Hand-cut Dovetails.  I am not sure when I will be able to offer this class again but it was great fun to be teaching again especially with this very nice group of people.

This class took place at the HatchSpace in Brattleboro, Vermont.  They have a very professional setup staffed by quality people. See more about the HatchSpace.

In this two day class, students each make a "Shaker Bench" while learning how to cut dovetail joints by hand.

I do hope to also teach out of my shop but will definitely teach again at the HatchSpace when opportunity allows.  Take a look at my Classes page on my website to see information about this class  and also about my Build Your Own Cod Rib 12 Double Paddle Canoe.

Here are some shots from this last class.

photo by Peter Smichenko

photo by Peter Smichenko

Stay well!
Tim

Custom Windsor Benches- contemporary and traditional

I have found a nice niche in the furniture making world with my contemporary Windsor benches or settees.  While both lines that I build are rooted in tradition, my New Waltham line features natural finishes that show off the warm wood of the pieces and has a more modern look.  These work well for someone who loves wood everywhere or just wants a warm accent to contrast furniture or surroundings that are not rich in natural wood.   My Waltham line features, pieces with milk paint finishes and hand carved details that give a more traditional look while not screaming "fife and drum".  These pieces also have a warmth that is a nice contrast to an ultra modern decor while blending with a more rustic or period surrounding.  More of my benches and settees can be found at my website. TimothyClark.com 

5' Waltham Bench with thin crest rail

cherry highlights are seen at edges of the rail with a
rubbed out finish

the carved "gutter" detail is part of my
painted  Waltham line.

When I paint a piece, I ask the customer if they want more or less "wear through" of the paint.  As the paint is rubbed out there is sometimes a small bit of rub through.  My favorite look is to rub through a bit more at high contact edges. This adds highlights that define the lines of the piece. You can ask for more or less of this.The bench below is a 3' version of my Waltham bench with the traditional crest rail.    This rail  results in the most traditional look of my designs. 

This last year, I added a bench with an arm rail to my Waltham line.  This design is based on my Waltham Arm chair.  If a bench is to be used at a table, I suggest a bench without an arm rail but this design works well in a hall or a spot where the sitter does not need to slide in from the side.  

The arm rail passes behind the back spindles as in all of my arm chair designs.  This is my "Floating Back" design.

Enjoy the snow,

Tim

Windsor Benches Going Like Hot Cakes

Each year, I seem to have flurries of order activity of certain items. One year, I have a string of beds to do, then a few dining tables in a row or a number of case pieces. Some years, all I do it make chairs.   This year has been the year of the Waltham Bench.  I have been doing these one after the other in different finishes, colors and sizes.  Dare I say, "trend"? We'll see.

I do like making these and while the 5' bench is the one that I make most, I have made it in 6', 4 1/2'. 5 1/2', 3', 3.5' and I am in the process of making a 4' version of this bench.  I make it with a more traditional tall crest rail but the thin rail has been the most asked for lately.  Even though the thin rail has a more modern look, it is still a very traditional form.   Stay tuned for one with arms.  I have a new order for 4 of them.

Here are a few pics of recent benches.

photo by a PA client

6' Waltham Bench in Federal Blue- see Park Hyatt pic below

The federal blue 6' Waltham Bench can be seen at the Park Hyatt in Washington DC.  This color can look a bit gray blue in some light or electric vibrant blue in other light. The bench and three custom low back chairs are off to the left.

pic from park hyatt photographer

Enjoy the wet weather,

Tim

New Waltham Rocker w/ Thin Crest Rail

This latest variation of my chairs is my Waltham Rocker with a thin crest rail instead of the traditional crest rail.  I like them both but I have to say that this thin rail fits my minimal early American sensibilities.

These two were requested by a client who had seen my Waltham Rockers at the Park Hyatt in Washington D.C. 



Below are a few more shots of this chair.

Diving in Lake Champlain yesterday.

Enjoy the great weather.

Tim

The Work Schedule- It is not Amazon.

I am finding myself a bit behind at the moment.  A bunch of new orders came in at the end of last summer and fall.
Here are a few shots showing the leaf edge that mates to the end of my Trestle Table w/leaves.  I use an antique molding plane to make the concave edge.  This is just another example of details that cannot be made by pushing wood over a power tool. The extension portion of this table has set my schedule back a bit so I want to apologize if this has caused any inconvenience to my other clients who are waiting for their work.

There do not seem to be many businesses like mine these days.  One person, just getting work done as it comes. At times, I am right on schedule but other times a job takes longer than expected and I do understand that that can be frustrating.  Today we (myself included) expect to a quick response from those we contact or place orders with.  
I have learned though that those who work on their own live with a different time structure.

I just contacted a sawer about buying a live edge slab of walnut and I did not hear back for about a week.  I almost completely forgot that I had contacted him when I did eventually get an answer.

I have one supplier of sand paper who I have never spoken to.  I have worked with them for the last 16 years or so.  I used to leave a phone message (they never answered) and a week or so later I would get my stuff.  It always made me nervous since they never acknowledged that they had received my order until I got it.  Now, I order by email but the same rule applies. No response.  Sometimes they email to say that it has shipped.  Sometimes not. The trust factor is interesting and satisfying that it works.  This supplier has been a welcome mystery in my life.

.

So, this is what I have next on the schedule.

Currently shaping seats-   8 New Waltham arm chairs for the state of Washington

Just glued up seats for -  

1- New Waltham side chair rocker for California
                                      
1- Custom desk Chair for Nova Scotia
                                      
2- Cod Rib Rockers- one for Washington state and one for Germany

Then a Cod Rib Arm Chair for MA, 4 New Waltham Side Chairs for NJ, a dining table for MA,  2 Waltham Rockers for RI, and a Low Post Bed for ME.

The finished concave surface.

A bit to my chagrin, these latest posts about this table have netted some interest.  I have recently received three inquiries about this Trestle Table.  Hopefully, I will move a little faster on the these next tables since it is fresh in my mind.  Orders seem to come in bunches.  I did a few beds last fall, then it was benches, then a gaggle of chairs and now the tables are having their turn.

Raining today.  A good day to grind out chair seats.

Tim

Windsor Chairs and a Thriving Economy

I have not been very good about posting this past month or so.  Things are very busy right now.  I seem to be setting up deliveries and writing quotes for orders quite often these days.  A good sign for the economy I think.  

Below is a photo that I received the other day of a set of my Waltham Chairs that I made for a Vermont client last year.  A fellow guild member, Paul Donio made the table and at present I am making six of my New Waltham Side Chairs for another client who is also having a table made by Paul.

The client notes-  "I didn't realize it when I took the shot, but everything in it, even the forged candlesticks and watercolor painting in the background, are all done by Vermont artisans."

I love the canvas floor cloth.  It is made in Perkinsville by  Lisa Curry Mair of Canvasworks.

We are finally getting a bit of snow.  3 or so inches so far. Not much, but believe it or not, they cancelled school today.  It is pretty.

Back to the shop to put the backs on a couple of Waltham Arm Chairs and to work on a 6' Cod Rib Settee. 

Enjoy the snow.  

Tim

Next up- New Waltham Chairs and a Trestle Table w/ leaves.

Benches Delivered and in place at Shelburne Museum Center for Art and Education

I really do love this building. It is so easily photographed.  I took this image yesterday after delivering the benches and it looks so much like the artist's rendering. 

The helpful crew at Shelburne Museum easily carried the benches from the van to their places.

Below are shots of the benches in place.  I do not know what else will be on the porch but they will be using it for functions so probably tables and chairs for catered affairs.

5'

7'

9'

This porch is huge.  I suppose I could have made ten more.

Yes, that is a camel with two humps. Ollie, as the locals have named him, lives on a farm between Shelburne and Waltham, where I live.  If you drive Route 7 in that area, you can't miss him.