Shaker Style Handcrafted Furniture

06/11/2026

Stool Uppers: Before & After Finish 📸✨
The difference oil makes is always magical! Here’s a before and after look at the assembled stool uppers.
Before: The walnut looks a bit dusty and the grain is muted. After: A coat of oil brings the walnut seats to life! The grain pops with depth, the color deepens, and the contrast with the Bird’s Eye Maple becomes striking.
It’s amazing how a simple finish can transform the character of the wood. The warmth is undeniable.
Next: the table base gets the same treatment! 🌟

06/09/2026

Building the Table Base ✨
The table base assembly is underway! Starting on the workbench, I’m joining two legs to each arched support cleat using mortise and tenon joints.
The Process:
1. Glue and clamp the leg-to-cleat pairs.
2. Stand them up on the shop floor and check everything with my level and square to ensure the assembly is perfectly plumb and true before locking it in.
3. Using a clamping caul to help the legs securely in place and distribute pressure evenly.
4. Once aligned, I pound the center tenon into the final mortise to complete the structure.
Then, I flip it over and insert the Bubinga chamfer block. This adds stability to the legs and provides another pop of contrast against the maple.

06/03/2026

Assembling the Stool Uppers 🪑🔨
The stools are coming together! With all the mortises already cut, it’s time to join the seat, back splat, spindles, and crest.
The goal is perfect alignment: every one of the four stools needs to meet up exactly the same. I applied a little glue into the mortises, inserted the tenons, and gently tapped them together with my trusty old mallet.🪵🔨
A few clamps held everything tight while the glue set. The symmetry is key here—each stool is a mirror of the others, built for balance and beauty.

06/02/2026

05/27/2026

🪚✨The Bubinga inlays are seated, but they aren't quite flush with the Bird's Eye Maple yet. Using my grandfather’s finely tuned hand plane, I carefully shaved down the Bubinga squares until they are perfectly level with the surrounding maple.
Why hand planing?
• It gives the absolute smoothest surface, leaving no machine marks.
• It allows me to feel the wood and stop exactly at the transition point.
The moment you can't feel the transition between the dark red Bubinga and the light, figured Maple is when you know the work is done right.

05/26/2026

The Bubinga Inlay🪵✨
Today’s focus was creating the stunning Bubinga inlay for the Bird’s Eye Maple stool back splats.
🎥 Routing out the recess in the back splat. Precision is everything here—the depth and shape need to be exact to ensure a perfect fit for the inlay.🎥The moment of truth. I’m applying glue and gently tapping the shaped square Bubinga pieces into place. FYI: I made this mallet; the head is Ironwood😊
More assembly steps coming next! 🔨

05/22/2026

Honoring Tradition 🧭 🛠️
Sometimes the best tools are the ones with the most history. ✨
I’m using my grandfather’s compass plane to smooth the curve on the Bird’s Eye Maple legs.
There’s something special about running a plane that’s been in the family for generations over wood I’m building for a new generation. It’s not just about smoothing the curve; it’s about connecting the past to the present in every stroke. 🔗 🤝

05/19/2026

Sealing the Top 🌲✨
I took a moment to care for the centerpiece: the Walnut Tabletop.
I applied one coat of finish to the entire surface. This isn't just for looks, though it does make the grain pop! This step is crucial for stability. Sealing the tabletop helps equalize the moisture exchange preventing it from cupping or warping as humidity changes in the shop.
With the top sealed and stable, it’s ready to wait patiently while the rest of the components come together🪵🔨

05/14/2026

Here’s the payoff from the bandsaw work. ✨ 📸 Bird’s Eye Maple legs; that figure is going to pop against the dark walnut! 📸 Pedestal support cleats are shaped and ready. The wood selection is spot on😊

05/12/2026

Templates in Action ✨
Remember those templates I cut out?📐
I traced the pattern directly onto the Bird’s Eye Maple positioning the layout to capture the most intense figure possible. 🎥 A quick look using the bandsaw to cut the back splats maximize those little "eyes" in the maple.