Woodworker: George Stephens

George Stephens says this simple chest of drawers elicits more compliments than any other piece he’s made. He saw the original 1740 Charleston half chest at the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts in Winston-Salem, N.C., and was immediately attracted to it. Working weekends for five months, he faithfully reproduced the construction details of the original piece, including the sliding half-dovetails that attach the sides to the top. He used cherry and white pine to craft the chest and finished it with varnish oil. From Fine Woodworking #200 Photo: George Stephens