My client requested a lake-themed liquor cabinet for their house on Canandaigua Lake in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate NY.  Taking inspiration from the local vineyards, and the client’s fondness for snow geese, I designed a piece that I felt would be in keeping with the informal natural setting while still providing a level of high-end detail appropriate for their home.  Traditional hand-cut joinery is used throughout, and the entire piece is assembled with hot hide glue for longer open time and easier cleanup around the proud joinery.  I think that the through-joinery and the book-matched spalted maple door panels add to the informal feel of the piece, while the shimmering curly cherry case, ebony beading, and carved gallery elevate the stature of the piece.  There are three side-hung partitioned drawers inside the cabinet for horizontal wine bottles, one for horizontal Champagne bottles, and two for upright liquor bottles.  The finish is hand-applied Waterlox on the exterior and shellac and wax on the interior.  I credit 30 years of reading Fine Woodworking and my excellent education at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship for giving me the abilities to complete projects such as this with precision and style.

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