Simply Stated
IN BEAUTIFUL CHERRY
Shaker design has many key elements, but frequently can be distilled to two key facets—useful, everyday items that stand their beauty on the characteristics of the material, rather than ornamentation. A blanket chest is ideal example of this form in action. Ample functional storage space created from expansive panels of unadorned wood.
Traditional
SOLID CHERRY THROUGH AND THROUGH
From straight-grained lumber, boards were surfaced and milled resulting in just the right collection of stock to create large panels with unbroken lines.
Hand Tooled
Much of the joinery in Shaker work is created today as it was 200 years ago—simple tools with keen edges removing small areas of waste to create perfect joints.
Dovetails
HOLD IT ALL TOGETHER
The strength of this blanket chest rests on through-dovetails. Each corner features eight finely-tuned tails with matching pins. Each joint cut and fitted by hand to create a perfectly unique piece of handcrafted furniture.
Breadboard Ends
The top is held flat with breadboard ends fitted to either side. This traditional style of joinery elegantly eliminates the need for battens, freeing space inside the chest while adding an attractive design element to the piece.
To counteract seasonal movement inherent to the natural fibers of wood, each end was fitted with three mortise and tenon joints and a long tongue and groove, which were then drawbored from below to secure in place.
The top is held flat with breadboard ends fitted to either side. This traditional style of joinery elegantly eliminates the need for battens, freeing space inside the chest while adding an attractive design element to the piece.
To counteract seasonal movement inherent to the natural fibers of wood, each end was fitted with three mortise and tenon joints and a long tongue and groove, which were then drawbored from below to secure in place.
