Woodworker: Philip R. Karsell

Karsell’s piano teacher commissioned this walnut music cabinet as a wedding gift for her brother and his fiancée. Karsell thoughtfully honed the design with input from a concert pianist cousin. The piece features open shelves for sheet music and books, with a convenient drawer at the bottom to stash pencils and such. The majority of the walnut comes from a tree that stood in yard of the piano teacher’s neighbor, and the walnut-burl arch on the front of the cabinet is mirrored by a matching arch on the back. The finish is shellac and lacquer.

Photo: Philip R. Karsell

Launch Gallery