Chests of drawers - oak - matching pair with writing
   desk tops

Width 730mm    28 3/4 inches Depth 410mm    16 inches Height 740mm    29 inches

Here is the list of requirements from the customer:

Please make two identical oak chests of drawers.
Each chest is to have three drawers, the top drawer having a central divider.
They must also have a 'writing desk' sliding surface at the top.
They must be wax polished and without any wood stain or dye.
The bottoms of the drawers and the backs of the chests are to be made of pine.
The drawer fronts must have bevelled edges, and hardwood handles.
The height of the chests must be 29 inches.
The base does not need to be cut to allow for positioning against a skirting board.
The sides of the chests are to be extended to make narrow feet.
The top edge of the chests must be rounded, and quite narrow.

The dovetails on all four corners of the drawers were hand cut to be a good, close fit. On the front of the drawer they were only cut part way through, so that they do not show when the drawer is closed. I cut the bevelled edge of the drawer front with a fine plane to eye - it was not really measured. The cut steel nail in the centre ensures that the joint is permanent. It was a pleasure to set it in place. The customer asked for the chest to be beautiful so I turned the drawer front such that the swirling pools of grain are at their best. The grain on the inner side of this piece of wood is more straight and therefore perhaps less interesting. The beech handles protrude quite a lot. I left it to the customer to decide whether or not that was satisfactory. When I called a little later the customer was happy with them.

Each chest of drawers has a sliding top that acts as a writing desk surface.                 Made and sold in March, 2005.

All designs and images remain Copyright Smuntz Wood, 2006.