Inspired by the fantastical work of Italian furniture designer Carlo Bugatti and the H.W. Studley chest, Ryan wanted to build something that captured the same sort of complexity and design whimsy. This chest was some three years in the making, with no computer design or mockups used. “While some of the more complicated tool holders were worked out full scale on paperboard, most of the cabinet was designed ‘on the fly,’ with each part taking its cues from previous ones, and built largely using the hand tools it now contains,” he said.

BLACK CHERRY, WITH SAPELE, CURLY MAPLE, EBONIZED WALNUT 16D x 35-1/2W x 72H

– Ryan D. Cheney, Louisville, Colo., @mountaintopjoinersshop

Photo: Dan Knudso

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