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

6' Waltham Bench with Arms delivered during Covid19

This bench was just delivered last week, during the Covid19 shutdown.  I am luckily still able to work and my usual shippers are also hard at work during this time. Myself and the shippers are sensitive to your concerns about social distancing etc and are open to your thoughts on following protocols that will help you to feel safe about accepting a delivery. 

This is my latest Waltham Bench with arms.  The first benches of this design had my thin crest rail. This one has my traditional rail design that I used on my first Waltham chairs and benches.  I think this one looks very nice and the curves of the rail accentuate the shape of the seat and the curves of the arm rail.  The look is more formal than the thin rail.

This bench has legs added to support the center as do all of my benches over 5' long. 

 Also, the arm rail which floats behind the spindles has a 'knee' brace to support the center of the rail. I add this to all of my arm rails on benches over 4' long.

Try to get out to enjoy Spring a bit. It has been a bit chilly here in Vermont lately but hopefully it will be warming up a bit.

Take care of yourselves and your family.

Tim

Lucy, contemplating the patio that my wife and I built last fall. We are eager to use it this Spring.

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

Contemporary Windsor Bench with Arms

Waltham Bench with Arms

4 1/2' Waltham Bench w/arm rail

Up until now, my Waltham line of benches did not have arms but I made four of these at the request of a client.  I am very happy with how it worked out.  I made this in a 4 1/2' and a 5' version.  This bench is $3800. and the Waltham Bench (the one without the arm rail) is $3000.
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions and do take a look at the rest of my work at TimothyClark.com
This bench is built of poplar for the seat, cherry for the rails and ash for the spindles, legs and stretchers. It is finished with black milk paint, linseed oil, varnish and wax.

The faceted seat front was new for this design. It shows up in my Waltham Side Chair seats but no where else until now. It just seemed like the right thing to do as I was shaping the seat.

The bench above just had it's arm rail mounted. You can still see the spindle tenons and wedges at the top of the  arms and under the seat. Once these are cleaned up, it will be ready for paint.

Ziggy says "When is Spring coming?"

Happy Winter,

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

Curly Maple Trestle Table with Painted Base and a New Cod Rib Rocker

Last week I finally delivered this table to a very nice couple in Vermont.  Many think that I would do a lot of work for people in Vermont but usually my local work amounts to one order per year.

I was very happy to receive this note a few days after the delivery.

"A note to let you know how much we appreciate the beautiful craftsmanship and finished result of the tiger maple trestle table.  The words used by our guests were’ stunning’ and they reflect our own sentiments.  You surprised our expectations!"

A tiger maple key to match the top.

Below is a new Cod Rib Rocker with the added detail of the carved gutter around the base of the spindles.  A while back, the same client in California requested the gutter detail on some New Waltham Side chairs.  I usually only put the gutter on my painted chairs but I think it looks nice.

Don't be afraid to suggest detail additions or modifications.  Many times the results are great.

The garden is doing great after all of the rain that we had.

Enjoy the rest of July.

Tim

Trestle Table with Painted Base

This is a trestle table that I made for my house.  The base is my standard trestle table design but I decided that I had to speed things up a bit so instead of full through mortice and tenons on all of the trestle joints, I used my bed bolt joinery techniques.  It saved me some unpaid time but is just as strong as the traditional methods.  Also, the the bolted cross beam instead of the wedged tenon leaves a cleaner look I think.  The only drawback is the visible socket where the nuts are inserted in the inside.  On this painted version, I do not mind that.  

Anyway, I will be offering this to Trestle Table clients as an option.  

The slots on the top are for the table top hold-down cleats.  The other three are for the nuts that go with the bolts which hold the trestle parts together.

I really like this bolt on the end of the trestle.

My table is curly maple which can be very hard to find and is finicky in that it moves a lot.  Cherry is more stable and would look great with a painted base.

Enjoy the pre-Christmas season,
Tim

Handmade Rocking Chair- The Waltham Rocker by Timothy Clarkrk

I have many favorites, but this rocker ranks very high.  A rocker is the top dog of chairs in my mind and this one is just so raw and refined at the same time.   Making a new one always brings be back to Williamsburg, VA where in 7th grade, I was first exposed to quality hand work when I saw wooden instrument makers, furniture makers and a man making cedar shingles on a shaving horse.  The smells of the green wood, the hissing of hand planes and the thunking of chisels and mallets.  I am a laborer at heart.  I love the making.

Below, I am in the middle of trimming the wedged spindle ends on the underside of the rocker seat.  This rocker is to be finished with milk paint, so I use poplar or Aspen for the seat.  A good wood for painting and strong but fairly easy to shape.

 The next few shots show the back going on.

Spindles are inserted and wedged 2 at a time.

awaiting arms

 Below, a roughed out arm rail lamination is drilled and the hand is marked for sawing.  As can be seen, extra wood is added to accommodate the hand.  The hand looks more like a paw but it is called a hand. I borrowed the idea for this hand from a 1700's chair that I saw when I used to spend a lot of time at the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont.  

Below is the rail ready for assembly.  You are looking at the bottom of the rail.

These two chairs have their second coats of milk paint.  They appear a bit gray as they have not yet received their coat of oil and varnish which will saturate the dry looking paint.

Happy Spring

Tim