Walnut media console – too knotty for the top?
I know much of this probably comes down to personal preference, but I’m having a tough time committing to my choice, so your opinions would be greatly appreciated.
I’m making a media console with solid 6/4 walnut. There will be a top and one shelf (plus sides and drawers). The third picture shows a sketup drawing of it.
Because the top and shelf are approx. the same size, I can choose which piece is which.
Attached are pictures of the two pieces I have. piece1 (left) is a lot more knotty than piece2 (right). I generally love knots, so I was thinking that I would use piece1 as the top, with the knotty side at the front. But I’ve never made a piece of furniture with that big and obvious of a knot on the very top. So I’m second-guessing my choice.
My choices are, from craziest to safest:
1. Knotty piece (piece1) on top, with knotty side at front, so the side also shows knots.
2. Knotty piece (piece1) on top, with knotty side at back, so the side is plain.
3. piece2 on top
Anyone thinks 1 or 2 are too crazy? Which option would you choose?
Replies
It's really just personal preference. I don't like knots, and avoid them. I use clear pine for drawer bottoms, so I wouldn't put a knot on the top.
But if that's what you like, do it!
Personal choice. I'd put that knot inside and at the back. I'd also move that sapwood to the back edge.
If the flip sides of the boards don't show the knots or sap I'd probably use them as the show faces... or put the two cathedral boards together maybe.
I'm not completely anti-knot, I just don't think what you have is balanced enough to feature.
I have a lot of respect for John and MJ - they have both posted before and their advice is usually sage and spot on. But I totally disagree. I love the look of the knots and would put them front and center. I think including knots and crazy grain is what clearly separates mass produced furniture from hand crafted. If you are looking for an example of putting the grain front and center, check out the coffee and end table set at this link https://beasleysevindesigns.com//
FWIW, I agree. I like the clear evidence of a life, with growth, perhaps some struggle, and the marks that come with same. But all to a degree limited by my taste. Which is what it all comes down to, I think: taste. (As long as structure/strength are not too much affected.)
I’ve got a few scars, a limp, a shoulder that has its limitations, and x-ray records that would suggest I shoulda ducked, made way, or picked another route on multiple occasions. Collectively, I call it ‘character’.
I agree with Beasley. Wood is a natural material with many variations and I think embracing those variations help separate production furniture from custom furniture. I'm big fan of Hank Gilpin and, paraphrasing his philosophy, "I've never found of piece of wood that isn't worthy of being used".
Of course that said, it's a very personal choice. But my vote would be to go for placing it front and center.
Won't the top have stuff on it? Stuff that will cover up anything interesting? If so I dont think it matters.
I made a sofa table once, for which I made the effort and expence to use a beautiful wide curly cherry top. When I first saw it in place, it had a runner, some vases and framed photos on it, which meant only about a one inch border around the top was visible. Lesson learned for me.
It is very much a matter of personal preference but in this case I favor figure over uniformity, here are some shelves, there were over 50 linear ft of them to go in a office and the walnut was selected mainly for its knotty aspect :
Thank you everyone for your honest opinions! Much appreciated!
I think because we have way too many pieces of old veneer/particle board furniture in the house, I've come to really like the knots and variations in real wood. But on the other hand, the non-knotty piece also looked really good, hence my indecision.
But well, as luck would have it, it turns out that the knotty piece is slightly shallower than the other. I thought they would be close enough so either piece can be the top, but alas, I think the knotty piece would have to be the shelf this time. I think I'll put the knotty side at the front so it'll still be visible. (Talk about first world problems! :))
I'll post pictures once I put it together--might take me a few weeks though.
Thanks again and happy new year!
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