Well...it took just over a year from the time the Wash Park walnut tree was felled, but we got it completed. The time suck was primarily having to wait for the thick timbers that would become the table's base to come out of the vacuum kiln. They took about 5 months to reach the right moisture content, but without a vacuum kiln, we wouldn't have been able to fabricate the base until 2020. Thank you CS Woods for the kiln drying and all of your assistance throughout the entire process. And while I am thanking folks, let me just take a moment for my biggest THANK YOU to Mr. Chris Olson. Chris not only worked tirelessly on this project with me, but he is solely responsible for its final design, look, feel, and overall spectacularness. Chris was so genuinely excited by this project, that he would be researching design & fabrication ideas all the time to come up with something truly amazing, and he sure did. When he wanted to do serpentine joinery on the 10.5' dial. top, how could I say no. AND SEE AT HOW AMAZING IT LOOKS!
Oh Danny Boy!
Recently, we were approached by the folks at Galvanize to build them a conference table for their new location in Boulder, CO. Over the years we have built many conference room furniture pieces, our record setting solid slab table being 21' long, but this one was special because I got to collaborate with my good friends at Romanform Studios. The galvanize team wanted a small table, only 10' in length, but they needed something to make it pop. Concrete! As you can see from the photo, the douglas fir top has a beautifully warm tone, and the concrete strip is a great accent. Both wood and concrete have a super smooth finish & the surface is dead flush. It was a fun piece to put together, and I always love working with Dan Roman. We have many projects in the works at Mori Furniture, but I don't get around to posting them very often, so until next time I would just like to wish anyone who might read this a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Wash park Walnut Revisited
The conference table and benches for Denver Parks & recreation department have been completed and delivered. It has been a long slow process. The folks from Denver Forestry contacted me about this project over one year ago. The conference table for Forestry is presently being completed and should be delivered some time in September. This is fun stuff.
New Headboard & Nightstands
I have been spending a lot of time on mid century modern design ideas lately. A simple headboard & nightstands, a long time in the making, has finally found a home. Obviously, I sketch things out prior to fabrication, but I never really know if what I am after is what I will end up with until a full size piece takes shape. I have the freedom to make changes along the way when I work on prototype pieces, and I make good use of that freedom, altering angles, thicknesses, grain directions, etc. as my eye sees fit. Sometimes you cannot explain what you want to do or why, but your eye knows when it is right. Something in your brain says, "stop, that's it". What is the radius of that huge arc? I have no idea, but it's nice to look at.
So for those who care about the details of such things: The headboard is 118" long and veneered in sapele pomele, book matched across its face. The nightstands are done in the same veneer w/ solid african mahogany legs for contrast. The nightstand design is a version of the Mali design from a few years back.
Wash. Park Walnut
Close to one year ago, I was contacted by folks at the Denver Forestry dept. They had been removing diseased walnut trees from parks and neighborhoods for years and wanted to give new life to these beautiful woods. After taking down the largest walnut tree in Wash. Park, milling and kiln drying it, we are presently fabricating two beautiful conference tables for the city. Pictured is a 10.5' diameter table top for the forestry department. A base will be built as well, as soon as these large timbers are dry. We are also working on a 12' x 4' conference table for the Parks Department. I will add to the blog about these tables as these pieces move forward.
NEW PHONES DOWN
It's may 4th and I'm in the midst of remodeling the new shop space I have just purchased. The phones were not due to move over until next week, but guess what? they got moved today and with me taking out walls and yanking wires out of everywhere...we have no phone service. I hope to have them up and running by this Friday the 6th. So please don't call, at least not this week.
Cheers,
Tom
THE MOVE IS ON
Since July of 1993, Walnut Street Woodworks has been designing and building custom furniture on North Walnut Street in what is now the RiNo District. When we started out, the freight trains still ran up the block just 5 feet from our front door, and we wished there was a coffee shop near by. The neighborhood has changed a lot, time has marched forward, and things are about to change again.
Chris and I sold the building we have owned for so many years just a few months ago, and I have since purchased a new work space which we will be moving to over the next few weeks. An exact move in date is not yet known, but THE MOVE IS ON.
So for all of my long time friends & clients, and you new folks too...Here's the new address:
5475 PEORIA STREET BLDG.3 #104 DENVER, CO. 80239
THE PHONE REMAINS THE SAME
Over time I will more than likely just lose the Walnut St. name (since I'm now on Peoria St.) and just hang onto Mori Furniture Design as the company name. While we will still be doing some built in work, the new focus will be on furniture. We started Mori as a nod to George Nakashima, and produced solid slab furniture under that name, and still do, but since Mori's beginnings I have also pursued a bit of an obsession for 1950's style furniture on my own and this will be one of the focuses of Mori Furniture Design moving forward.
I believe that's it for now. Please come see us at the new shop. I'm thinking we should be moved in by mid May give or take.
Cheers,
Tom
