Way back in 2018, I tried my hand at wood turning. I did not have a lathe back then but used an old machine drill to work on some beech roundwood we had lying around in our shed. One piece came out like this. A balustre shaped table leg meant for an occasional table.
But before I could make the rest of the table I moved on to another mini project and a lot of other things followed in suit. In short I forgot all about this table leg. Not every line on it is straight and I can probably do better (and I will, there is a lot more that I want to make on that lathe.) but I simply can't discard it. So a table it will become.
I drew a little scroll shaped leg on a pièce of beechwood. Then glued two more pieces onto it and cut out three legs with my fretsaw.Since glueing a straight surface on a round one will not be very succesful, I put each of the scroll feet in my vice and with a round needlefile I rounded the surface in order for them to fit the turned leg better when glued onto each other.
I also drew two different shapes of table tops on a piece of softwood and cut that out. I decided on using the round top. Then I used a file to smoothe the top edges of the table top and the scroll legs. Now the 3 scroll legs, the balustre leg and the table top are all glued together and we have a table!
It is a small table which is used as a candle stand or something like that. In auction catalogue this size of occasional table is also called a wine table. Probably because it is large enough for a glass of wine (or port) and a good, albeit medium sized book. :-)
After aplying two coats of gesso and sanding it, it was time for some decoration. After the Brown wooden pieces it is time for a splash of colour. The basecoat is a mixture of cadmium yellow which is mixed with titanium white into a soft, creamy yellow. When it had dried I used alizarine crimson for adding details.
After painting the table I still had a lot of paint on my palet. A shame to let it go to waste, now would it not? Next I took the candlestand I had put together earlier. It is a 'The House of Miniatures' kit that Mrs. M. had kindly given me. I turned the colours around and added pale yellow decorations on a crimson base.
I am not sure yet if the occasional table and the candle stand will end up downstairs or upstairs . For now the Steward may have them. speaking of the steward, his office is progressing but very slowly. Making around 800 tiles for the 2 floors is taking a lot more time than I thought. Here is a little 'sneak peek' though. The arches will be filled in with raised windowseats and behind that wil come the outer wall with the windows inserted into it.
Well thats it for now. I hope that you have enjoyed this little post and till next time!
Well thats it for now. I hope that you have enjoyed this little post and till next time!
Huibrecht
I love both little tables. One of these days I will try my hand at mini wood turning. One more skill to learn! The decorative painting you have done on the tables is so tiny and delicate, it must have been very difficult to get it so perfect. I also love that chair with the lovely striped upholstery in one of the pictures. Beautiful! Where did you find that beauty??? - Marilyn D.
ReplyDeleteThank you Marylin. There is always a new skill to learn. It surprises me that some seem impossible to master but are quite easily mastered (to a good beginners level). And other skills look deceivingly easy but aren't. One never knows until one has tried. :-)
DeleteThe chair is made by John Hodgson. https://johnjhodgson.com/
His work is excuisite but comes at a price.
Huibrecht
Huibrecht you've done it again! It seems that every skill you attempt yields beautiful results and the turned legs, carved feet and table top are just the latest success! Your delicate porcelain painting practice has done you well, for the dainty details on both tables is superb! And then the last photo of that beautiful and spacious room! Excellent progress which leaves me hungry for more!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jodi, you make me blush a little. I am glad that you like them so much. The porcelain painting in miniature does come in handy. That is absolutely right.
DeleteThe room has progressed from this picture, but I am not there yet. more will be revealed soon!
Huibrecht
Die (bijzet)tafeltjes zijn prima gelukt, Huibrecht, en ze zijn geschilderd in 'gewaagde' kleuren, maar dat mag ik wel ;). Prachtige details en in zijn geheel mooi werk!
ReplyDeleteDie "Steward" krijgt me toch even een paleisje van een kantoor, het ziet er nu al duur/deftig uit, wat een grote ruimte voor hem ;)! Ik ben toch zo benieuwd hoe het er allemaal uit gaat zien.
Blijf gezond, zorg goed voor elkaar.
Groet, Ilona
Dank je wel Ilona. Ja ik wilde eerst voor een crème groen combinatie gaan, maar heb er toch rood van gemaakt. Het is wat gewaagd maar het kleurt best mooi. Op de foto waren ze nog niet gevernist dus ze worden nog wel wat dieper van kleur. :-)
DeleteWat het kantoor van de rentmeester/steward betreft, Ik had oorspronkelijk het idee om een houten scheidingswand aan te brengen maar heb dat idee laten varen. De kamer wordt ondanks de grote afmetingen vrij eenvoudig afgewerkt. Plavuizen op de vloer, witgekalkte wanden en een zichtbaar balkenplafond. De inrichting wordt wel representatief maar buiten zijn pijp en tabak, zijn blokfluit en een paar boeken is alles van zijn werkgever. ;-0
Hubert
El torneado es muy difícil salvo que tengas una buena herramienta.
ReplyDelete¡Preciosa la mesa!
Gracias Isabel! Tornear todavía no es fácil. Pero ha sido más fácil desde que tengo un torno.
DeleteHuibrecht
OH MY Word Huibrecht! What a steady hand you must have to paint those tiny details so precisely on the turnings! I am totally impressed by what you've done! I can't imagine using the drill as a lathe,something I haven't done since High School, but it has worked for you like a charm- WOWEE!
ReplyDeleteThank you Elisabeth. Well not every drop of paint landed where and how it was intended the first time. Some retouching (sometimes more than one) had to be done to get this result. :-)
DeleteThe drill works at not too high speeds. But a simple lathe gives much more controll over what you are doing. :-)
Huibrecht
Wow, your tables turned out awesome - and the stunning delicate painting is just the cream on the dessert. But I must admit the thing I love most about your occasional round wine table is the fact that this special piece of wood got finally the deserved place of honor. It's incredible that this is your first result in wood turning - even more regarding your equipment for such a small piece.
ReplyDeleteAnd I've also enjoyed the last picture very much, my, the dimensions... I'm so looking forward to see all of this developing. And now... I'm wishing to you: Happy tile making! *broad grin*
Hugs
Birgit
Thank you Birgit. Yes it would be a shame not to use this piece, and I am flad that the table turned out like it did. Up to now I learn from everything I do. And there is so much more to learn and to improve my skills. I'm not there yet by a long shot. But as long as I'm having a lot of fun with this I keep on trying new things and improve where I can.
DeleteIt is an early piece but honesty makes me confess that this was not the first one I made. Several trials and errors preceded this turned table leg. :-)
Yes the room is quite large and echoes the dimensions of the room above. If the opening wall would be on the long side I would have added a wooden partition to divide the space in the office and a small cabinet where the Steward could retire to. But since the 'door' is one of the short sides, this would not be practical.
But you are right, for now it mostly tile making. I have almost 500 pieces but need a few more. And most tiles need a going over with a file for some corrections. :-S (help)
Huibrecht
Hi Huibrecht! I am sorry to be so late to comment... but I am happy to see the little painted tables you have made! Reversing the colors is a great idea to add diversity to the similar projects. The lathe work you did looks great to me! (Someday I will get some "real" tools!) And I am not surprised about the floor tiles.... It took me more than year to make the 1300 or so tiles for the Great Hall floor in the Castle. You just have to keep at it and don't give up!!! I know your floors will be amazing to see! Keep up the great work! :):)
ReplyDeleteDear Betsy, thank you for your nice comment. No excuse needed. I sometimes find a post when it is almost a month old. So who would I be to point a finger at someone. :-)
ReplyDeleteI believe you that it took a year to make 1300 small and decorated tiles. Apart from the hearth tiles the rest of the tiles are quite large and therfore I should finish sooner. But it still takes quite some time. :-)
Huibrecht
More great projects Mr H, glad that you were able to use the candle stand , huggssssss Mrs M
ReplyDeleteThank you ma chere Madame. And it is not tbe last of your gifts I will put to good use. I promiss.
ReplyDeleteHuibrecht