STEPHAN WOODWORKING

A very interesting couple came in with a large sculpture they had purchased in Florida. It resembled very much one of the traditional marionette puppets on a small stand to hold it upright. They desired a small table on which to display the piece, but so the table would look more graceful they requested that the legs be angled out slightly. So that the table would look even lighter, it was suggested that the legs be tapered on the two inner faces.

The requested dimensions were 16" x 12" x 36". To help focus attention on the displayed scuplture and not the table, the top of the legs were inset 1". For a subtle bit of added visual interest, the face of the apron rails was recessed from the front faces of the legs 1/8".

The table was to be made using quartersawn walnut, which at that time was in extremely short supply from the usual sources. So the table first was made of poplar. That turned out to be a very good idea, as the first set of apron rails were to short. (Geometry class was a long, long time in the past!)

"Matching" an existing finish is not a realistic objective, as wood, stain, and finish all can become lighter or darker with time and exposure to light. Bob Reuther (Reuther Finishing in Madeira) as always did excellent work "blending" the finish on new walnut table to the finish on the existing walnut pieces in the room.

For this poplar piece, Bob applied a reddish brown color and several coats of catalyzed lacquer. The grain patterns on the wood under the color are distinctly poplar, but from across a room the color is dark brown black cherry.