I just finished putting the final coat of wax on Jennifer's benches… I'm really pleased with how they turned out — the maple and cumaru have such a nice contrast. Like the prototype, these have cumaru plugs on the outside where the joinery happens… and with the maple top, they're super sturdy.
If you need benches, hit me up!
…
I just pulled the clamps off of these and wanted to snap a few pictures before I started to apply finish.
Jennifer contacted me a few weeks ago with a need for a pair of benches for her dining room. Like the prototype, these are made of maple multi-ply and cumaru — but with a solid top. I can't wait to get the first coat of lacquer on these.
We sourced these great powder coated frames in black, gray and white and thought they'd make great stools — and they do.
I topped each with maple multi-ply (12in square) with a lacquer and
hand-rubbed wax finish. The stools stack for easy storage. They're 14in
sq at the base, sit 14in high and have a 12in square top.
We're using them in the nursery as a side table/foot rest, but they're easy to grab and tote from room to room.
For sale on Craigslist for $40 each.
…
When making the maple multi-ply topped stools, I was left with 3 very nice, new nylon-covered cushions which were original to the bases. What to do?
Make a bench, of course.
This one stands 16in high and is 38in long and 14in deep (the
cushions are 12in square). It is made of cumaru and multi-ply and joined
with pocket-screws and stainless steel face-screws capped with a
contrasting cumaru plug.
I'll be making more based on this design, but until then: anyone need
a bench? Until I get an Esty.com site set up it's for sale via Craigslist for $50.
(Click on the images for clear, larger, more color-accurate versions)
…
I've developed an adjustable foot option for the CSSU shelving. These feet can be speced as an option to replace the PVC-capped feet. Depending on the wood used, they add between $5 (maple) and $8/foot (walnut, mahogany).
Ask about them when designing your CSSU shelving unit!
CSSU adjustable foot shown in walnut.
CSSU adjustable foot shown in mahogany.
[Updated for 2022: Unfortunately global supply shortages have increased pricing on all items — especially building materials. In our case, the material cost has doubled. For instance: If the plywood sheet was $150, it's now $300. Sadly, the price of our shelving is very much tied to material cost and that has been reflected in the price list below. If the materials come back down agin (hopeful), we'll re-adjust. Feel free to ask about that when you order.]
Each piece we design ends up being custom to some degree, but it's good to know where a price might start. The 2X2 (two bays wide X two bays tall) seems to be the most popular option and I've drafted a spec-sheet and price list for it which will give you a good idea of the approximate price. Please contact me for a more accurate price and we can discuss options that might better fit your needs or budget.
…
Brent wanted more of a "Dieter Rams" look with a walnut and white combo… and his request for alternate feet prompted me to prototype the new adjustable foot option which seems to be working pretty well. Since his are the first feet off the production line, I gave him his choice of wood — he chose walnut for a nice bit of contrast. Brent also wanted the unit a little lower and a little wider than standard to fit a specific space — and of course, custom sizes are no problem.
…
This unit — made as a display/prototype — features the new "Neutral" palette with MDF-core panels which make for a less expensive option over the walnut-ply panels. I'm really liking the contrast of the lacquered-MDF against the gloss white and matte black and it might be my new favorite combination.
When assembling this, I was reminded of how nice it is to work with these materials. The MDF — when lacquered — takes on an almost leather-like quality with a slightly galvanized-looking sheen and the maple is wonderfully figured. Unlike birch (also an option) which is nearly grain-less, the maple has all sorts of fun artifacts including wavy grain and a few knots.
I've also been able to better standardize the selection to 11.5in, 14in and 18in deep shelves with 23in wide "bays". This is a 2X2: 2 bays wide and 2 bays high — the most popular option, it seems.
With the neutral color-way, this 11.5 in deep unit will retail for $375 — a good bit less than the original color-way with walnut panels at $425 in the same size.
…
David contacted me through the blog (all the way from… Brooklyn) to
place an order for a custom set of shelves — narrow and tall and
maximixed for books.
The unit is 84in high (7 shelves), 34in wide and 13in deep…
specifically made for his space. At 34in wide, the bottom shelves have
extra supports in the middle for super-heavy books. He wanted to keep it
more in the neutral zone, so we minimized the red used in the piece —
in fact, if he gets weary of the red panel, he can flip it for the
walnut side. Once assembled and the panels screwed in tightly, it's
super sturdy.
Next up — creating a crate to keep it in good shape for transit.
…
Eszter contacted me through the blog about some new shelves after seeing the prototype we made for the nursery.
What's a bit special about this one is that Eszter is a crazy talented designer here in the Bay Area and it'll be a treat to have these in her space.
…
