Woodworker: Kevin Rodel

Rodel crafted this glass-topped hall table from ebonized cherry, cypress, and glass. The Japan-inspired piece pushes the limits of what is considered Arts and Crafts, but the influence of two European Arts and Crafts furniture designers, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Josef Hoffmann, show through in the stark gridwork, embedded blue glass, and smooth ebonized finish. Rodel also used a decorative surface technique called jin-di-sugi that was common on pieces by John Scott Bradstreet. Rodel created the table as a display stand for ikebana, or Japanese-style flower arrangements, but says that other uses are encouraged.

Photo: Dennis Griggs

Launch Gallery