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Occasional Table - African
Mahogany - Chestnut stain (light) - Tung Oil based finish
MountainHaven
created this African Mahogany oval end table to meet very specific desires
of the client. The client needed an oval end table with a length to width
ratio that couldn't be found in commercially produced pieces. In
addition, the client was dismayed over the quality of tables offered in the
mass production retail market. This table is constructed of all solid
wood using mortise and tenon joinery methods. The glass top is a custom cut
sheet of 1/2" tempered glass with bevel grind around the polished edge.
Most species of mahogany have
some degree red in tonality, but specifications also required a neutral
finish with very little red content in the final tonality of the finish.. This specification was met by using lightly
applied chestnut stain to suppress the red values of the natural wood tone before
application of the tung oil finish.. Wood inlays were applied along the
center lines of the upper stretchers to provide a unique accent element.
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The
lifecycle chronology of the project is illustrated and described below. Click on any of the
small images to open a full size
view in a separate viewing window.
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The legs and stretchers of the tables
have been cut and sized from a single solid plank. Band profiles have been
milled near the top and bottom of each leg. In this state, the mahogany
looks a bit plain |
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The stretchers are
to be attached to the legs with mortise and tenon joinery. The tenon
is visible at the end of the stretcher. Mortise slots have not yet been cut
into the legs. |
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The table frame is
complete and is dry fit in this image. The bottom shelf has not yet been
fabricated. Top and bottom stretcher assemblies (crosses) have been
permanently assembled. |
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A close up view of
one of the mortise and tenon joints. The joint is precise and snug. It will
be a strong, enduring joint for many, many years of service. |
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One of the top
joints, also a mortise and tenon joint. In the gluing process the joint will
be pulled very tightly closed. A decorative wood inlay has been applied to
the top of the stretcher. |
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A close up view of
the cross of the top stretcher assembly. The stretchers go through each
other (2 pieces of wood, not 4). The four bands of wood inlay have been
precisely mitered for a perfect cross in the middle of the assembly. |
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A close up view for
the cross of the top stretcher assembly. A very light chestnut stain has
been used to neutralize the slight red tone in the mahogany. Top edges of
the stretchers have also been lightly chamfered to soften their appearance.. |
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The finished table,
still in the workshop. The bottom shelf is comprised of 4 pieces of mahogany
layered out of one thick plank. The wood grain of the shelf has been
bookmatched in the joinery process. |
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African mahogany
renders a beautiful grain with a pleasing tone palatte that is not heavy in
contrast. Generally, other species of mahogany do not offer as rich a grain
and finish with a much more monochromatic appearance. |
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The glass top has
been removed so that reflections don't distract in the photograph. Note the
warm, rich tones of the mahogany in the stretchers and especially on the
shelf. |
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The top stretcher
assembly with wood inlay treatment. The light touch of chestnut stain also
served to make the inlay more subtle so as to avoid it becoming a dominating
feature of the table. |
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A bit more of an eye
level view of the table. This view brings out the bands of profile millwork
around the tops and bottoms of the legs, which are more subtle when viewed
at normal angles, standing or sitting.. |
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This view of the
bottom shelf reveals a bit more of the beauty of the African Mahogany.
Still, a photograph can never reveal the full beauty of the wood. |
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The signature of the
craftsman, and the year made, have been applied to the wood prior to
applying the finish. The signature is on the bottom surface of the top
stretcher. |
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