“When repairing the edge molding on an old dresser drawer, it became evident that the best course of action would be to fabricate a new piece. The photo to the right shows that an earlier repair attempt with a can of putty would not make the grade.

After searching for the perfect router bit or combination of bits to duplicate the molding, I soon realized I would be better off making a scraper plane.  I had saved some steel strapping for such an occasion.  Mild steel is good for making simple tools like putty knives and scrapers.

After removing the old piece of molding, I cut off one end at ninety degrees in order to trace the profile on some cardboard for a pattern.  After transferring the pattern to the strap metal, I finished the bulk removal and shaping on a bench grinder with a small die grinder with diamond coated bits.

I made the body of the plane with some scrap poplar and a bolt with a wing nut.  It took a little adjusting and a shim before the scraper plane decided to work the way I had hoped.

With a scrap of walnut clamped in the vice, shaping the profile didn’t take long.  Though it is not clear in the photo to the left, I ended up layering a smaller strip of walnut to the top edge to accomplish the profile with less scraping.

I was pleased with the result and once again reminded of the fact that it takes a few tools to make a tool.”

Browse CustomMade’s galleries to see examples of our artisans’ restoration work.

We’ve said it before and we say it again in the article – we believe custom is a service, not a product. What do you think?

“In an unprecedented gesture of financial support by a commercial gallery and its artists, half the purchase price of every exhibition piece sold will be donated to support the school’s crafts training programs….

The exhibition’s 27 objects — seating, tables, chests, cabinets and wall 
pieces — reflect current thinking about the very idea of “furniture” both as functional object and as art form. Some makers have drawn their inspiration from traditional styles and techniques; others bring a modern and, at times, whimsical viewpoint to their work.

A reverence for wood is apparent in the show, as one might expect. But there are the unexpected materials, too – plaster, graphite, polymer resin, limestone, steel and leather.”

Richard Oedel, North Bennet Street School alumnus and CustomMade artisan

Last year, I went to an open house at North Bennet Street School and found the interactions with the students to be fascinating!  We have a few North Bennet Street School graduates on CustomMade, including Richard Oedel of Fort Point Cabinetmakers.  By sheer coincidence, Richard also lives across the street from me (which proves you never know what kind of craftspeople are right in your neighborhood).

In order for well-handcrafted items of all kinds to stay alive, we must support efforts such as this one!  We also must strive to provide an active marketplace for these handcrafted items.

If you have the time and the means, you should go to Gallery NAGA and see some of the amazing pieces there!

Until next week!

-Mike

Mahogany Sheraton Elliptical Breakfast Table

Am I the only one left completely in love with breakfast tables?!

Think Sunday morning, the New York Times, and a cup of fresh squeezed orange juice next to a window with sunlight streaming in.  I am loving this Sheraton style breakfast table by WM Thomas – stunning inlay and workmanship and I love the castors.  This piece is sure to be in the family for years, passed down from generation to generation.  I can imagine around it a set of skirted, upholstered Parson chairs in a neutral fabric – comfortable and a nice contrast to the wood.

French Provincial Table

Another all time favorite of mine is a French farm table.  This one by Tomlinson Fine Woodworking is stunning.  I love the cherry wood.  This table is an extremely durable classic that gets even better with wear.  Customize the size to fit into your breakfast nook!  I can imagine it with white lacquered bamboo chairs for an updated look.

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About Sally Henninger

Born in Newport, Rhode Island, Sally learned to cultivate her design aesthetic at an early age.  After attending Boston University and holding numerous design internships, she ventured out on her own in 2007.  Her style is sophisticated classics with an updated sensibility.  Her taste lends itself to classic interiors that are timeless and suited to her clients’ needs.

To see more examples of breakfast tables, Sheraton tables, bamboo furniture, or French country or provincial style pieces by our artisans, browse CustomMade’s galleries.

• Do you need a wood to match particular surroundings?
• Do you have certain performance expectations?
• Do you have a preference for a special look?
• Do you need a high-density wood to take abuse?
• Do you need a long-grained wood for load-bearing purposes?
• Do you need a wood with a high resin or chemical content to resist weathering?

Once you’ve established your requirements, present them to a knowledgeable artisan woodworker who can then determine the appropriate wood for your needs.

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Remember, CustomMade.com allows you to post projects to the website and have woodworkers contact you directly: http://custommade.wufoo.com/forms/post-a-project/

“If you’ve spent a lot of time looking for that special piece of furniture or accessory, chances are you’ve walked away disappointed and empty-handed. Furniture stores usually stock the most popular items with a hefty markup. This means that most of these items are factory-made, often with little consideration for quality. The lack of variety and quality in a typical furniture store works against you when you’re searching for that special piece.

City Shaker Hall Table

Let’s take the example of a couple looking for a special table for their entryway or foyer.  At the stores, their choices are fairly limited. But at CustomMade.com, they can browse the galleries of fine craftsman from the comfort of their own home.  For example, at CustomMade.com, they can enter the words, “hall table,” in the search box at the top of the screen.  They’ll get a gallery of photos from dozens of craftsmen, like the Shaker table shown here from Accolade Furniture.

Still can’t find what you’re looking for? A number of craftsmen at CustomMade.com will be happy to work with you to design something special that suits your tastes and space.  Now, I’m not going to kid you: you may pay more than you would for a factory-made table, but the design will be yours and will last for generations. What more could you ask for?”

For more examples of Shaker style furniture by our artisans, or to search for a Shaker hall table, browse CustomMade’s galleries.

Like many passions, my love of interior design began at an early age.  After receiving a dollhouse from an older cousin, I remember the excitement of being able to pick the furnishings and have something of my own that I could design from the ground up.  Months later I had wallpapered, electrified, and spent weekends scouring for miniature custom made furniture. Even my father got involved, making me some artwork using a Sotheby’s catalog and some balsa wood which he had gilded.  While most kids were out riding bikes, I was thrilled to find a miniature mahogany highboy with brass hardware.

Besides decorating my dollhouse on weekends, I also took to rearranging my mother’s house when she would leave to do errands.  I would enlist the help of my older brother and we would move antiques up from the basement and I would spend hours rearranging my room as if I were getting ready for a House Beautiful photo shoot.

I eventually grew up and became a real designer but never forgot those early lessons – nothing compares to custom made.  Unlike something you find in a catalog, when you have something custom you have something unique, something that fits perfectly into your space.

On one of my latest projects I wanted the lightest shade of blue with a grayish hint to it.  Not one paint company had exactly what I wanted so I knew I would need to do the mixing myself.  A touch of cream paint, a touch of blue and so on, and after a few hours I had the perfect color.  Everyone that saw the room wanted to know where to get the color, but it was a one of a kind!

Louis Chairs - J Rivers Furniture & Millwork

For those of us decorating full-size homes, we should always think custom.  You can have something made for any purpose, in any configuration, in any style.  I am loving these Louis XVI chairs by J Rivers Furniture & Millwork….

More updated and not too uptight and formal like some Louis furniture can be.  How amazing would they be in a living room or flanking a buffet in a dining room?!  Beautiful.

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About Sally Henninger

Born in Newport, Rhode Island, Sally learned to cultivate her design aesthetic at an early age.  After attending Boston University and holding numerous design internships, she ventured out on her own in 2007.  Her style is sophisticated classics with an updated sensibility.  Her taste lends itself to classic interiors that are timeless and suited to her clients’ needs.

Orca Coffee Table by Bryce Van Dyke

His Orca Coffee Table is amazing and he has won the opportunity to work with one of our woodworkers to have it custom made for him using Rockler tools and supplies.

Thank you to all of our entrants – the designs were incredible and showed the beauty and versatility of custom made woodwork.

Arts and Crafts Child's Crib by Jason Ekstrom

One entrant in particular stood out: The Honorable Mention goes to Jason Ekstrom for his Arts and Crafts Child’s Crib.  Beautiful work, Jason!

Want to make sure you’re the first to hear about the next Design Challenge and other news from CustomMade.com?

Bubinga

“When I sit down with a potential client my first question is: have you thought of what type of wood you want to center the project around? I usually hear cherry, oak, or maybe maple.  These are the three most commonly known woods.  At that point I’ll suggest: how about some woods like bubinga, zebrano, shedua, or maybe sapele? I want to let them know we can build a very unique piece with some incredible wood.  Africa is home to these woods, some of the most beautiful in the world.

Zebrano

Deciding on the wood may take some time and effort.  At this point in my career I have pretty much every exotic sample imaginable, but if necessary I will make samples of the finished wood so the client can see what the wood truly looks like once a clear coat is applied. Once a customer decides on the wood, then the project begins to take shape.

Sapele

In dealing with exotics each wood requires a different expertise.  To make furniture from these woods you need to know how they machine and what glues and finishes are compatible.  My advice to anyone getting custom woodworking done is to make sure the woodworkers really know their wood.  You can judge their expertise by having them describe the impact different types of woods would have on both the look and construction of the project and then recommend a type of wood for the project.”

Browse CustomMade’s galleries to see works in Bubinga, Zebrano, Shedua, and Sapele