Blanket/storage chests are another enjoyable part of my work. A contemporary look with traditional frame and panel design is a favourite.
Blanket/Storage Chests
The Kooka Chest is a work that was completed in November 2018. It was made from recycled Northern Silky-oak and reclaimed Camphor-laurel with traditional mortise and tenon joinery throughout. This delightful chest featured a life sized inlaid Kookaburra in the top panel and a hand of gum leaves inlaid into the underside of the top panel.
The Kooka Chest showing northern Silky-oak and Camphor-laurel working very well together. Much of the Silky-oak in the chest came from an old chest of drawers that was beyond repairs.
Inside the chest showing the gum leaf inlay on the lid panel.
Veneers in the gum leaves are Yellow Carabeen and Bolly.
Part way through the making of the motif.
Here Kooka is done, then it was on to the branch.
Kooka inlaid and complete. Some of the veneers here include Silver Basswood, Spalted Pigeon Berry ash, Ebony, Camphor-laurel, Lychee, Natural blue stained Ivory wood, Walnut, Black Heart Sassafras and orange.
The finished chest.
Southern Silky-oak frame and panel chest
Joinery detail
Southern Silky-oak Chest
This chest was constructed from my clients reclaimed southern Silky-oak. The chest featured a bit of natural pest control in that the back panels and floor were constructed in Camphor-laurel. Throughout the joinery featured traditional frame and panel with a shiplapped construction in the floor.
Inside showing the camphor-laurel rear panels and floor
A Restoration Chest
There are times when I get to do a restoration/rebuild and this old slightly neglected Silky-oak chest provided an enjoyable challenge. Every joint in the chest was loose or broken and the original fabric top had long gone leaving a sad piece of ply in it’s place. My clients only request was that the new top double as a seat, so a sturdy and striking Camphor-laurel panel was made to replace the ply. With all the repairs done and a re-polish the chest came back into the world looking very smart indeed.
The before and after shots.
With it’s new Camphor-laurel top and everything polished up the chest was ready for a new life.
With the lid up the chest didn’t look any better inside.
A better look inside after the work was complete.
Hoop Pine Chest.
The Hoop Pine Chest, this blanket/storage chest was constructed from recycled Hoop Pine that used to be a large old work bench of unknown origin. The planks that made up the top of this particular bench resided in my wood racks for around 18 years. It was time to use them! The panels in the chest were a hardwood ply that was to be decorated at a later date.
Gum leaf marquetry inlay in the top, Camphor-laurel and Yellow Carabeen.