The Need
After completing the floating shelf, there was an opportunity to build one piece of furniture to further elevate the space.
Here's the list of demands:
- Footstool
- Table for eating
- Seat for...well, sitting
- Storage for misc electronics
- Light enough to carry downstairs
Research
Before reinventing the wheel, I wanted to see what potential solutions already existed. Nothing met all the requirements but the seeds were there.
Schematic Design
I found the idea of "captive negative space" intriguing as well utilizing a reversible lid; one side for the table surface and the other side cushioned for the footrest.
I really wanted a simple form to be driven by the function of the object. The functionally-driven and modern design would allow the wood's natural grain to be the real hero.
Human Factors
The height of a footstool does NOT have much room for error. It's either perfect or painful. Using items from around the house, we tested 3 different footstools heights to determine the clear winner for our situation...18.0"
SketchUp Form Development
I was able to break fabrication into smaller steps by thinking about the object in 2 parts (a box and a base), but joining 2 pieces seamlessly can be damn-near impossible. Rather than drive myself crazy, I added a small reveal between the two elements to give me a margin of error as well as become a nice design detail.
By adding color to the reveal, I could pull some color from the fabric into the piece itself. That idea then led me to play with painting the interior of the base.
Full Scale Mockups
It's really hard understand something unless you can experience it in full scale. I was struggling with the ideal Length x Weight as well as the exact angle for the legs to bend. But after some paper tests, it was a very clear decision.
Fabrication: wood selection
Finally stepping into the big leagues with my first use of an exotic solid wood, black walnut. Main-lining the good stuff.
No pressure.
When determining what wood to use the density was a key driving factor. One of the design objectives was to keep the piece light enough for my wife to carry downstairs. In order to make that possible, I calculated the total volume of the piece and then selected a wood that wouldn't push it over 20 pounds.
Details, Details, Details
God is in the details.
It's one thing to figure out form, but an entirely different beast to understand EXACTLY how everything fits together.
Not only that but in order to pull off certain fabrication techniques, I had to make a number of different jigs.
This is where some simple sketching comes in handy.
Fabrication: the legs
Mortise and tennon...you big sexy beast. Leave more material than you need and sand-down to perfection.
Fabrication: base
The two sides of the base join together with pin-mounted cross-beams.
Fabrication: box
Dado and rabbet joints provide the strength needed to sit on the piece.
Fabrication: finish, stain, paint
Rather than glue everything up, and then try to stain, sand, and fight awkward corners...I finished all the pieces separately. The KEY DETAIL is to tape up and avoid staining anywhere you need glue to hold.
The end result reminded me more of tiger's eye stone than wood because of its richness and depth
Fabrication: Assembly
Biscuit jointer meet unabashed overkill. #shameless #newtooluse
Fabric Selection
HURRAAAAY! Shoppiiiiiing...for faaaaabric...with a wife who's tastes differ tremendously.
9,240 spools later a fabric was chosen and a relationship persevered.
Hero Shots
I feel like we have the furniture equivalent of a swiss army knife. It gets used everyday and has continued to elevate the experience of the upstairs space.
Seat/Surface/Storage