When did good furniture loose its edge ? Let's blame the advent of electric light . Furniture is practically and philosophically different if it is designed , made , and used in organic light . Natural raking daylight pops wood figure and color while candle or lamplight not only affects the appearance of woodwork , softening marks of merciless wear and deepening shadow lines , but also the feel of furniture . Firelight lends woodwork an indescribable warmth and tactile magnetism . By contrast , over-lit rooms erase all shadow lines , washout subtle wood tones , and highlight the tinniest scratches . Traditional woodworkers knew the conditions they were designing for and the contextual excellence of their work is obvious . Natural light complemented and emphasized their lines , and the natural wood colors and organic finishes available to them . Likewise , contemporary design is a function of contemporary conditions . Blinding Technicolor wattage forces us (woodworkers) to simultaneously contrive visual interest and hide distractions . Elaborate lines , figured woods , exotic woods , flashy joinery , dyes , and synthetic scratch resistant finishes are all common elements of modern plastic fine woodworking . Obviously furniture design evolves for many reasons and I believe light is a key , if overlooked , element .
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Artist's Stool
11''D 11 1/2''W 24''H
European Beech with Walnut wedge joinery accents
Tried & True varnish/oil finish
I first modelled this stool in June of 2007 . It is the first piece I designed that I include in my current line of work . I think this piece is the sum of my creative style . There is just a singularity in the way this stool builds and performs . It's such a simple piece , but it expresses as much as a piece of furniture can communicate about the purpose of woodworking .
Sunday, March 28, 2010
furniturebyseth | the basics
the seth difference ~ My furniture making is simply a thoughtful and honest composition of spare form and unsparing craftsmanship . My objective is to create beautiful , long-wearing , and "ownable" fine woodworking through austere lines and innovative joinery . Though my first design thoughts are of quality , aesthetics , and creative satisfaction , my work is also mindful of turn-around , price , and shipping .
my materials ~ Furniture made to serve and please generations begins with very good wood . As a native of lumber-rich California , I am able to responsibly source a wide pallet of materials with varied workability , color , and texture . Though I work with many different wood species , I have found California Walnuts , Sugar Pine , Red Alder , and European Beech to be exceptionally responsive to my concept of furniture making .
finishes ~ In my shop finish is an ingredient in the furniture , not just a coating on the furniture . I practice finishing as a process of conditioning and fortifying wood , celebrating its lovely anti-plastic color and texture . My staple finishes are : California Walnut oil (blended with warmed California beeswax and applied by hand) Tried & True varnish/oil (applied by hand and topped with wax) and hi-tech water-based polyurethane (often applied over a coat of tone-warming oil ) .
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