Design comments invited

Re: Design comments invited

Woodie49

I say Arches, more interesting!

Re: Design comments invited

John in NM

Designing is the hard part, definitely. That is why so many people prefer building from plans and why so few good plans are available.

I don't like arched base moldings, generally. They can "lift" the piece, but they can also look a bit weird on a piece that is visually heavy like this one. As an applied molding I don't think an arch is a good idea, its more of an element that works with integral parts like rails. I think you would need a taller bottom structure to get away with an arch down there. As a practical matter, I also prefer closed bases if the bottom is too short to easily clean under if left open. There are exceptions of course, a clever designer (which I am not) could probably come up with something that makes me eat those words

I think the door framing looks fine. I generally make the top rail about 1/4" to 1/2" narrower than the stiles, and the bottom rail about 1/2" to 1" wider than the stiles. The bigger the door, the more pronounced I make the differences between rail parts. I also rarely make door stiles narrower than 2" unless the door is quite small and short. Wide stiles look weirder on short narrow doors than on tall narrow ones when it comes down to it. Your doors are not small enough to look strange with the framing width you have there.

Couple things

Ellis Walentine

Ain't design grand? Here's my take, FWIW. I would begin with a frank statement of your aesthetic objectives: Is this piece destined to replicate a particular style of furniture, or is it a custom design meant to complement a particular setting? So far, to me, it appears that the form of this piece reflects your interest in early American furniture. Corner cabinets with elements like yours usually had arched base moldings, and it is a design detail that would normally be expected by the eye of the beholder. The question is what are the ideal proportions and detailing of the arch itself? A simple curve like you propose is a bit bland to my eye, based on the various decorative options of period furniture. Visually and mechanically, I might want to have your arch take off perpendicular to the floor and add a graceful dip in the middle. Practice with various inflection points for this curve to see where it should change directions, to your eye at least.

I would disagree that an arched base molding should dictate arched doors. Personally, I would not arch anything else in this design. Google images of "antique corner cabinet" and note that historically, arched doors are not common, and the ones that are tend to be the more highly stylized versions with Palladian style arches that don't reflect the base styling. Traditional cupboards had simpler, straight top rails, and that's what resonates best, again IMO.

Your take on Krenov's grain orientation is fine, although for this cabinet, I wouldn't be in favor of running the rails all the way across. To me, that would confuse the aesthetic of this furniture form. It would look more in keeping with a modern take-off.

As far as "lifting" the piece, typically this is done with a cornice molding. An uncomplicated cove would be my choice. I'd like to see a drawing showing all the elements in place before adding any further critique.

My 2¢, hope it doesn't confuse the issue any more for you.

Ellis

Daughter has decided

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

Oh Ellis, were it so simple to just make a traditional corner cupboard. It would have been done a month ago.

This all began with showing daughter pictures of corner cupboards and hutches. She became smitten by a take-off on a Shaker hutch with a modern twist provided by arches, particularly a sweeping bottom arch. She wanted arches, adjustable shelves, opaque glass top, and a drawer. So, lets design something inspired by what she liked, to include arches, adjustable shelves, leaded glass top, whimsical carved panels flanking the drawer, etc.- a substantial departure from "traditional".

I have struggled to accommodate the arches but arrived at a place that I thought worked. In the mean time I made the base molding the arch would be cut from. For grins I dry fitted it and took the pictures. I liked the look, Wife liked the look, John liked the look. Daughter liked the look-Yea! And so the arched top doors, the arched grain, the Krenov framing and the refinement of the bottom arch at the drawing board went out the now traditionally framed doors, so to speak. And so I press on unburdened from accommodating arches.

drawing

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

the most recent time I posted the drawing was here

http://www.woodcentral.com/woodworking/forum/messages.pl/page/3/md/read/id/525948/sbj/technical-veeneering-application-question/ drawing pos

Re: Design comments invited

Barry Irby

I would rather build than design. Most of my designs seem like they would look better if only I had.....

My Engineering Brain says to make the bottom piece solid to Prevent having to clean under it. If you go with the arch, which I also like, I would consider placing a piece parallel to the front recessed about 4" and painted black to make it less visible. It would corral the dust bunnies to the front four inches.

On the doors, if they are glass, and maybe if they are solid panels, I would make the bottom rail wider than the top rail and I would make the hinged styles wider than the center styles. I would make the hinge styles something like 2" and the mating styles about an 1 1/4" each so they would block less of the view.

I have built a cabinet that has arched door rails at the top and I like it. I like the arched grain you have chosen. I did not think of that. Mine have a single arch that reaches across the top of the doors and is split in the middle.

Exploring frame width, including center

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

The frame looks too wide to me, at least for a "modern" version of this furniture. I am exploring thinner pieces and in particular your idea of thinning the center more than the sides. Will post a PIC when I get to a conclusion.

Option for the doors

John in NM

For a more modern look, you probably would want to go with thin frame parts or even slab doors and those horrible concealed hinges.

Another thing you could try with a frame door is to add two dividing mullions and three panels. That is almost more of an A&C thing in my perception, but it could work for your project as well.

Re: Daughter has decided

Ellis Walentine

Well then, a modern take-off it is. I just wanted to bring up a recurring theme of mine, that departures from ingrained expectations tend to leap out at you. You've already set up the expectations with the form of the piece. I'm not saying it isn't possible to make a wonderful interpretation, and I'm sure it will make its own statement.

The real secret of design is solving for all the conditions. It can often take you in unexpected directions. Your craftsmanship will make this work one way or the other.

Ellis