Russell Hudson
03-16-2012, 7:03 PM
I wanted to preface this post by saying that although accomplished furniture makers, we are by no means advanced marquetry craftsmen.
So... those of you who are masters at this craft will understand our beginner efforts at this skill... though helpful suggestions are ALWAYS welcome.
My youngest son (Brian) likes making intricate furniture as much, if not more than, the larger projects we do. He recently created an end table w/ a small inlay for us and we took a few pics of the various stages of it coming together. This work is historically referred to as marquetry.
Like all design work, it starts with a drawing.
http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/Brian%20table%20with%20inlay/1.jpg
Then he created this bird from 1/8th inch maple.
http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/Brian%20table%20with%20inlay/2.jpg
Then he used the bird cut out to mark exactly the size and shape of the area to be removed on the table top.
http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/Brian%20table%20with%20inlay/3.jpg
The router is used to create the inset area.
http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/Brian%20table%20with%20inlay/4.jpg
He made the bird's beak from a naturally red-colored wood called Paduak.
http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/Brian%20table%20with%20inlay/5.jpg
Inlay prior to finish coat.
http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/Brian%20table%20with%20inlay/6.jpg
Here is a detail of the drawer within the skirt.
http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/Brian%20table%20with%20inlay/7.jpg
Hand-rubbed oil finished with a urethane top coat.
http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/Brian%20table%20with%20inlay/8.jpg
I began to think of how great one of these inlays would look as a small 'signature' on one of the doors or drawer fronts in a kitchen or entertainment unit. A rosette made from a contrasting wood might also make a piece richer.
Here are a pair of doors I made many years ago for a client using what is known as marquetry inlay banding.
http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/Brian%20table%20with%20inlay/0307121754.jpg
It seems that the possibilities for cabinet and furniture makers are endless.
Many use the word 'custom' but this is the kind of attention that gives that word meaning.
We make a whole bunch of different things out of wood / Check out the site, if you'd like...
(click on my name at beginning of article and a window will give the home page link)
Russell Hudson / Hudson Cabinetmaking, Inc.
So... those of you who are masters at this craft will understand our beginner efforts at this skill... though helpful suggestions are ALWAYS welcome.
My youngest son (Brian) likes making intricate furniture as much, if not more than, the larger projects we do. He recently created an end table w/ a small inlay for us and we took a few pics of the various stages of it coming together. This work is historically referred to as marquetry.
Like all design work, it starts with a drawing.
http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/Brian%20table%20with%20inlay/1.jpg
Then he created this bird from 1/8th inch maple.
http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/Brian%20table%20with%20inlay/2.jpg
Then he used the bird cut out to mark exactly the size and shape of the area to be removed on the table top.
http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/Brian%20table%20with%20inlay/3.jpg
The router is used to create the inset area.
http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/Brian%20table%20with%20inlay/4.jpg
He made the bird's beak from a naturally red-colored wood called Paduak.
http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/Brian%20table%20with%20inlay/5.jpg
Inlay prior to finish coat.
http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/Brian%20table%20with%20inlay/6.jpg
Here is a detail of the drawer within the skirt.
http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/Brian%20table%20with%20inlay/7.jpg
Hand-rubbed oil finished with a urethane top coat.
http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/Brian%20table%20with%20inlay/8.jpg
I began to think of how great one of these inlays would look as a small 'signature' on one of the doors or drawer fronts in a kitchen or entertainment unit. A rosette made from a contrasting wood might also make a piece richer.
Here are a pair of doors I made many years ago for a client using what is known as marquetry inlay banding.
http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad158/rehuds/Brian%20table%20with%20inlay/0307121754.jpg
It seems that the possibilities for cabinet and furniture makers are endless.
Many use the word 'custom' but this is the kind of attention that gives that word meaning.
We make a whole bunch of different things out of wood / Check out the site, if you'd like...
(click on my name at beginning of article and a window will give the home page link)
Russell Hudson / Hudson Cabinetmaking, Inc.