Utilizing the design style of a contemporary chest of drawers (soon to follow in the workshop), this nightstand blends well with a variety of motifs from Asian to Shaker to Prairie Arts and Crafts. A Contemporary Chest design, by Ken Burton, was scaled down and the construction methods altered to permit an open front with a finished interior and moveable shelf. The nightstand is 31 inches high with a 24 inch wide by 18 inch deep top and a cabinet form that has a 22 inch wide by 17 inch deep footprint.

African Mahogany was used for all of the show pieces and internal frame structures with classic mortise and tenon joinery throughout. The drawer is constructed with Alder for the sides and back, and I tried using drawer bottom slips for my first time in order to broaden the wear surface of the sides. The drawer bottom and the case back panel are cut from Mahogany veneered MDF which is a bit heavy but way more stable than the alternative Luan veneered ¼ inch plywood.

The mahogany has been dyed using a diluted solution of Solar-Lux Van Dyke Brown. It should complement any adjacent walnut furniture quite well. The top coat is GF Arm-R-Seal in multiple coats followed by some Bison wax.

Launch Gallery