The armoire is finished!

[derekcohen]

When I began building the armoire I decided to post the steps here with the hope that it created interest and discussion, and that out of these discussions we could debate different ways of design, construction and technique. It was also my intention to include some of these discussions - or at least the ideas - in a series of articles on my website. I have started collated the information and posting it. It has been a huge task trying to find a balance between a build sequence and all the detail that has been offered up by forum members. So feel free to say if you feel something has been omitted or needs to be emphasized. Link: http://www.inthewoodshop.com/Furniture/index.html

Well we are no longer in the home straight - the armoire is complete (save for one tiny modification, which came to light as I printed these images).

Possibly the biggest headache at the end was designing the handles (used on the doors and drawer). I must have built a dozen in all. The handles that Lynndy liked just did not work, and in the end she agreed. Fortunately she likes the ones that I ended with. I wait with bated breath to hear your opinion.

The reason for the difficulty was the diamond inlay that I added to the doors. It created a theme, and simple round handles now really looked out of place. The diamond added a spark of interest in what otherwise might have become "just another country style armoire" (I built one similar to this several years ago, and for that one used Jarrah raised panels in a Hoop Pine carcase. Of course, that one was largely build with power tools, where this one has been largely build with handtools).

The other change was to the mirror that was planned to go over the top of the armoire (the armoire is just 53" high from top to bottom, so the top was intended as a dresser for guests). The mirror was built ... but more on this shortly.

In addition to the handles and the mirror, I have added a top to the cabinet.

OK, so here is the result ...

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Dovetail%20Cabinet/Finished/Armoire1.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Dovetail%20Cabinet/Finished/Top1.jpg

The top has some really nice fiddleback Tasmanian Oak ..

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Dovetail%20Cabinet/Finished/Top2.jpg

A closer look at the drawer ...

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Dovetail%20Cabinet/Finished/Drawer1.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Dovetail%20Cabinet/Finished/Drawer2.jpg

And the handles .... ! You have no idea just how difficult these were to shape (tutorial coming).

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Dovetail%20Cabinet/Finished/Handles4.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Dovetail%20Cabinet/Finished/Handles3.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Dovetail%20Cabinet/Finished/Handles2.jpg

The armoire is shallow to save space as the guest bedroom is on the small side. The design placed the hanging direction forward rather than sideways. This is where I have a slight modification. My original build just rounded the face of the hanger. It occurred to me later than this was not in keeping with the diamond and the dovetails, so I reshaped the front. I left the back round as it cannot be seen at the dark rear of the cabinet. Of course, when I took the pictures, I could see the round back, and it now, too, must be altered ..

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Dovetail%20Cabinet/Finished/Hanger2.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Dovetail%20Cabinet/Finished/Hanger1.jpg

[derekcohen]

What of the mirror? The mirror!!

I fell in love with the mirror .. or to be more correct, the wood. This is Jarrah at it best! What started off as recycled waste turned into a stunning piece of art (in my eyes, at least :) ). Origonally I had planned to place it over the top of the armoire. It was sized to fit exactly when hung on the horizontal. However, when I tried it there it both dominated the armoire and made the combination feel too tall in the room. So I hung it in the vertical alongside the armoire. I think that guests will be charmed by it (and if not, then they will be shown the door!).

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Dovetail%20Cabinet/Finished/Mirror1.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Dovetail%20Cabinet/Finished/Mirror4.jpg

The figure is just stunning and these picture do not do it justice ...

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Dovetail%20Cabinet/Finished/Mirror3.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/Dovetail%20Cabinet/Finished/Mirror2.jpg

So there you have it. Done. Finally.

My most sincere thanks to all of you who contributed with your advice and critique (and don't stop now).

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Mr Brush]

Love that mirror - spectacular timber :2tsup:

[artme]

Derek, Ithink yor handles are an elegant solution to the problem. They relly tie in neatly with the Overall design and do not coflict with the diamond inlays.

The mirror is beautiful!! That is some fine Jarrah you have used for the frame.

[murray44]

Derek,

Super bit of woodwork. You've done well with the handles and I have enjoyed the step by step.

Can you drag it to the right by about 6 inches, it would look so much nicer off that side wall (mind you I don't want to tell you how to decorate your home, just my thought!).

Murray

[Enfield Guy]

Very, very nice piece of work. I like your solution with the handles and the mirror. If I could be so bold, maybe a detail is required on the mirror frame in the timber of the armoir, maybe a diamond shape!! I'll go away now!!

Well done all the same.

Cheers

[Ozkaban]

Love it Derek!

Very neat all round and I like the diamond theme.

Cheers,
Dave

[chowcini]

great work Derek, those two timbers shall age gracefull together
regards Chowcini

[peteandoreen1]

There is a serious wow factor in the cupboard, but that mirror is magnificeint I love what can be done with Jarrah. Its nice to look at somthing else other than your self, that jarrah frame is a great distraction. (For the not so vain) :2tsup::2tsup::2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:

[munruben]

Magnificent pair of treasures. They compliment each other beautifully.:2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:

[kevjed]

Simply Lovely.

[derekcohen]

Many thanks all for your kind comments. Over the next couple of weeks I should have the build up on my web as a series of articles. These will, I intend, pick out both the constriuction errors and the alternatives supplied by the forums.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Eldanos of KDM]

How did you put your doors together Derek?
What are the dark dots?

[derekcohen]

The doors are drawbored mortice and tenoned. The dots are the drawbore pins. I shall have a tutorial up soon.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Scally]

Lovely work Derek.
I can seen some fine details and I am sure there are plenty more that I have missed.

Your tutorial should be very interesting.

[Christos]

Very nice.





(and if not, then they will be shown the door!)

Wow the door even more specular then the mirror