Viewer Comments:
That top is stunning , the pulls work well the work is beautiful thanks for sharing.
Nice, but I think the handles are oddly located. What led to them ending up on the top of the drawers?
After looking at many options it was decided that the pulls should go where they are.
Well done!
You got the legs spot on as well.
i like the pulls, even the location, in fact there's alot to like about this piece. from the front i love the look, the top is ok i guess if you like inlay (my opinion is it would've looked better without). my only real criticism would be to say that the finished ends look 'heavy'...i think mostly because the rails read roughly twice the width of the corresponding rails on the face. all in all though i would say that its the most interesting thing i've seen on this site in a long time.
geoffstles, If I had made the stiles and rails around the drawers the same size as the ends then it would have taken too much space away from the drawers and if the stilesand rails in the end panels smaller then they would be too weak. The sizes work for me and its logical.
Bret
glad your happy with it...i was merely offering you an aesthetic criticism. sometimes design sense is not logical...
geoffstiles,
Sorry if I sounded defensive. I do appreciate your comments and is why I post. I did think about what you said and I did a poor job of responding. You are right, of course, that good design does not need to be logical.
Thanks, Bret
Bret, I think it is an amazing piece and I can't image the amount of work and the number of hours it took to get all the curves to come exactly right as you did. Thanks for sharing.
Very nice workmanship throughout. Was this piece built for a customer?
Next time place a darker backdrop behind your photos, the images would be stunning with a sheet of walnut plywood behind the chest instead of.... Again, very nice details, thumbs up!!
My only comment is about the color I would rather have it somewhat darker of course that's my personal likings.
Great work - I'm jealous.
Very nice workmanship. I agree with the one comment regarding the color, maybe it looks better in person, but to me you lose the figure with that light of a color. From a design standpoint when looking from the front is that the upper bulge of the sides don't really tie in well with the curve of the legs,hope I am not being too harsh, overall I give it an A.
To all,
I like the natural colors of real wood. I've got about eight coats of lacquer and then buffed it with 0000 steel wool for a deep soft luster and the figured grain really pops in the natual maple. Some prefer blondes, and some prefer brunettes. I quess it's the same with wood. I wanted this cabinet to be a light color. Tim, your'e not being harsh just calling at as you see it but I do not agree with you. One of my favorite things about this design is the way the top and bottom curves flow togehter into an "S" curve. The varied opinions just reminds us that taste is subjective.
There are some things I would change on this piece if I ever build it again. That is the problem with one-off original designs, you don't get a chance to refine the design unless you built it again.
Thanks, Bret
Superb! Great piece of work.
Bret, your work is very nice looking at the finishing. My only problem is where the handles are located. if one wants to lock the drawers, where will they be located? Once again the work is nice
To be sure, this chest has creativity written all over it and the workmanship looks to be first-rate.
It's funny and interesting to view the range of people's perception of such things as this chest.
I'd love to see this piece in person, and I'm sure the photos don't do this work of art justice...but...when I look at the photos, I'm reminded of when I get out of the shower and look in the mirror - I see a bloated, fat body perched on top of long, spindly legs - overly top-heavy and out of balance.
No offense intended, disregard my criticism, and please keep posting your work.
I've been making furniture for over fifty years more than forty as a pro, I'd have been proud to have designed and made this piece. If, and I say if gently, I were to suggest anything I would maybe have splayed the legs a little more at the bottom.
Great piece of art
Pete and all,
I'm trying to steer my career towards furniture building. I've been a carpenter, cabinetmaker, builder for over forty years with a minor in furniture making. The idea for this chest just popped into my head one day and I had to build it. It is currenty on consignment in a specialty shop near by. Your kind words and compliments inspire me to do more. I've been building a set of cabinets for the last three weeks (one man shop)and I can't wait to get back to some new furniture ideas I have.
Thanks, Bret
Brett, The fact that you have evoked a response from so many people on this art is a sure sign that you hit the mark! A beautiful piece for sure. Personally I love everything about this design. Not very often you see a piece that is unlike anything you have seen before. A true original and a well executed one at that. Congrats!
