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While at North Bennet Street School I learned fine furniture in general is defined by five key characteristics that need to be properly executed. Failure in any one of these characteristics could eliminate a piece from being considered fine furniture.
In my words they are:
1. A Hardcopy Plan: The design is well thought out balancing form and function. This can include traditional, contemporary, or custom designs.
2. Thoughtful Material Selection: High-quality, materials are selected having premium grain, and color, and often include rare, exotic or figure woods in to express the designer’s vision.
3. Craftsmanship: The construction involves meticulous attention to detail, proper milling, accommodations for seasonal movement, and well executed and proper joinery techniques to ensure durability for generations. Thoughtful hardware selection and installation is included here.
4. Finish Preparation: The wood surfaces are properly readied for finishing to look their best and for finish to adhere properly.
5. Finish: The finish is carefully selected and applied to enhance the natural beauty of the wood; protect the wood from dirt, chemicals and grime; and reduce movement of moisture. Often hand-applied techniques are used.
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Replies
Since I haven't used plans other then crude line drawings with dimensions, I guess I've never made fine furniture.
I was today years old when....
I am with you!
Rex, I have to assume this is in response to STL320.
I like this list a lot, but there are certainly pieces I can think of that this list would eliminate that warrant being called 'fine'. Anything by Garrett Hack comes to mind.
You know I LOVE NBSS, but this feels more like a curriculum than a real-world definition—at least in its rigid presentation.
Glad im not the only one having a crisis over these rules.
I think 3 & 4 are a must, but the rest are optional. I argue that 2&5 are obviated with the introduction of paint. Fine furniture has been painted for millennia. I recently just discovered the stunning results that milk paint can provide.
Listen to STL 320 with Ben, Vic, and Amanda...they have some interesting takes.
Also, consider reading David Pye's "The Nature and Art of Craftmanship" -- 1968
He outlines the 3 attributes that anchor quality work...which may result in the creation of fine furniture:
1. Intention, vision, decision: clearly articulating what it is that is to be made.
2. Dexterity: the quality of skills brought to the task of creation
3. Commitment to detail: to have the patience, time, and devoting care to achieving the piece in way that achieves the quality of the result desired.
STL's final takeaway arrived at one important word that undergirds much of what permits fine furniture making--"consideration".... that is, taking care to consider all the options before each step in the journey toward a "fine piece" and then executing that step as best one can.
Thoughts?