My latest project at MKR was a "new-build" piece (that's technical furniture terminology). Many years ago, before I ever gave a piece of furniture a second glance, Michael Keith was creating the Ying-Yang Coffee Table. He sold it, and that same patron eight-years later decided that it is not good that coffee table should be alone, to which MKR replied, "We will make coffee table a helper fit for coffee table". Low and behold the bride of coffee table...
Ying-Yang Side Table
So, the new table that I built was not my design, but merely a redesign of Michael's original design. But, of course, I later found out that even Michael's design was not ex nihilo, but was an adaptation of a plant stand that he built in shop class.
Basically, the new table was to be a replica of the old table but taller and shorter and shallower. My original idea was to go pick up the old table, drop in alginate to create a negative mold, cast it in silicone, and then just stretch the elastomeric table replica to correct proportions. That idea was rejected without explanation.
The Details
I had to study the original table and primarily reformulate the dimensions to retain the same proportions and style. The table frame was built with White Ash and assembled with mortise & tenon joinery and half-lap joints for the shelf. The only hardware used were screws to attach the base to the top and upholstery tacks.
The table top is a basic frame and panel construction made with Poplar. I covered the frame with pigskin leather and covered the panel with Olivewood veneer. Amazingly, both the veneer and the leather were from the same original batch used on the coffee table that is now eight years old. So, remember... Don't throw that away! because you just never know (where to keep all this crap).
Michael did the finishing work on the table base and inset panel. We discussed and decided against a coat of stain, shellac, and wax on the pigskin. No we didn't. That would be ridiculous. What on earth could you be thinking?! Who put's stain, shellac, and wax on leather? Do you hear this guy, he must be crazy!!! Actually, I wonder if that would work. Maybe thats exactly how they have finished leather for millenniums. I don't know much about leather. I do tree flesh not animal skin. What do they use for leather refinishing? I oughta look into that.The Happy Family
We delivered the table this week. We could see the side table was initially shy because her panel was blushing. The coffee table seemed to respond with stoicism and indifference. But the furniture professional immediately recognizes that this behavior is an elaborate courting ritual whereby the male table covers itself with various interesting and weighty objects while remaining completely still. This is to exhibit his great strength (or his virility if the objects are stacked on his shelf). It was quite a demonstration and worth the effort. I mean come on, check out the legs on that table! They are now the happiest of couples. They hope to one day have a pair of happy little end tables, but for now he sits all day in front of the television and she never leaves the office.
**I have no idea why this is called the Ying-Yang Table. That was the name of the file folder with the original coffee table photos and so that was the name I put on all my job documentation.
Beget end tables.
