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Category Archives: Uncategorized

Gainsborough Suite

The Chippendale style Gainsborough suite, comprising of 2 single chairs and 1 double settee, started out as 3 single chairs. The client required a suitable settee to complement the two chairs, and we found a solution. Having only made single chair frames in this style, I cut one of them up, maintaining 2 side frames.Continue reading “Gainsborough Suite”

Posted bymaggiecowlingJuly 8, 2018Posted inUncategorized

Piano conversion

Back in 1990, a dealer commissioned me to convert an old burr walnut piano into a davenport desk. Fortunately the piano was already dismantled, having outlived its usefulness as a piano – a task that would have been arduous enough! It was a somewhat challenging job, as a swathe had to be cut through theContinue reading “Piano conversion”

Posted bymaggiecowlingJune 28, 2018Posted inUncategorized

When is a piece too far gone?

Looking back on this 90s restoration, I was faced with a choice of keeping the item for spare parts or attempting to piece it together. The previous owner had dismantled the French Renaissance revival secretaire bookcase and many of the decorative relief carvings had been planed off. There was also a fair bit of weathering.Continue reading “When is a piece too far gone?”

Posted bymaggiecowlingJune 21, 2018Posted inUncategorized

King-size four-poster bed

It was always going to be a bit of a monster! I could only fit it in the workshop between the rafters without the pediment. So out into the vegie patch it went, where there was a large enough space to set it up, and fit the basic pediment. The posts were Australian blackwood andContinue reading “King-size four-poster bed”

Posted bymaggiecowlingJune 10, 2018Posted inUncategorized

A FAVOURITE FROM THE TOOLKIT

I’m probably not alone in having a favourite tool, amongst the many I’ve accumulated over the years. I bought this beech cabinet-maker’s mallet for $3 some 35 years ago from Faram Bros in Port Melbourne, and still regularly use it today. I have others, including a heavier version of the same, a slightly different shapedContinue reading “A FAVOURITE FROM THE TOOLKIT”

Posted bymaggiecowlingJune 7, 2018June 7, 2018Posted inUncategorized

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INSTAGRAM

I'm very fond of tambour doors. The illusion of a rigid material, seemingly flexible, disappearing out of sight, bending around corners. When considering what to do with the upper drawer of each chest, I wanted to diverge from the convention of a pop-up mirror and lidded compartments. Thought I would create tambour lidded side boxes with sliding jewellery trays and a central compartment with a sliding lid instead. Nothing removeable.
With further details on the website, this attractive Japanese cha-dansu, or tea-utensil chest from the late Meiji period, c1890s. Prized keyaki (Japanese elm) in the door panels, with kiri wood as the other main show wood, and carcase in sugi. A steel base frame has been made to facilitate a more practical height, but can be removed. The forged, warabite (bracken style) handles and other ironwork adds contrast and character to the patinated timbers. I never tire of Japanese tansu!
It's interesting how the central stile, or the part of a chair you lean your back on, is called a "splat"! This one looks like a Georgian camelback.
As in the previous post, these cabinets form part of the same kitchen project. The marble counter top and melamine cabinets were already fitted and I chose English oak to create the facade. The robust counter top seemed to call for solid support so I went for "ogee" bracket feet, columns, and fielded panels in the doors. As in the cherrywood cabinet, had some fun with fake drawers. In addition, a recess in the wall at counter level seemed a good opportunity to use a tambour door cabinet.
These two cabinets form part of a kitchen commission, where function, in terms of utilising up-to-date hardware mechanisms, had to be accommodated. Not my usual work, but the task involved creating an eclectic look and the facades for a large number of white boxes. Ebonized European cherry. Painted finish completed by the client.
On a roll with the character building jobs so decided to include this George iii period kingwood, tulipwood and amboyna fold-over card table. A superb and elegant example of refinement. Not the sort of restoration that I was able to complete in a hurry! www.fineartandfurniture.com.au

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  • Antique furniture – sold
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