Retro Credenza

by Prairie Bench0

on display in the foyer

At the request of a client, we tried our version of a retro sixties credenza, complete with shelves, three sliding doors, and those skinny little six inch legs. The project went together quite well and all was designed and cut to fit, then assembled in the kitchen, because the outdoor shop was too cold for the glue to set. The finish is stained dark walnut per the client’s wishes and the interior was wiped in poly using the natural birch color of the interior. As we were working on it, some had flashbacks of parents’ furnishings. We sort of went by memory.

The dimensions were to fit: 5′ x 1′ x 32″. The credenza was designed in pine, birch ply, with a spruce top. #130-BL-01-13

Owl Woodcut Shield

by Prairie Bench0

This is our second woodcut owl shield/mask. Designed at 70% of the size of our original owl shield, this version replicates a small Phoenician or Mycenaean defensive shield used in close contact. As a mask, the owl represents the forest watcher and sage, the wise storyteller with intuitive insight.

The owl woodcut is approximately 18″ across with a five degree barrel curve. There are no screws or nails in the design which maximizes use of our reclaimed fir and spruce stock. This owl is finished in a chocolate walnut stain and lightly sanded on the outer feathers to give the appearance of our local Barred Owl.

Signed original: #110-BL-10-12

Settle Bench Rustic Finish

by Prairie Bench2

We designed our Settle Bench last year for a holiday promotion. It’s sat in storage until now when we had time to take it out and refinish the wood with more time. The result is a brown denim style that accents the grain. The entire bench is held together by hand carved wooden pegs. A secondary spruce frame is designed within to provide structural support for such massive planks.

A Settle Bench is a traditional design and the name is given to upright hall or entryway bench where guests can ‘settle’ when they enter a home.

The bench was created from a log salvaged by a local tug operator. It’s a Sitka Spruce and we lost count at 200 years old. The unique hole in the Settle Bench’s right wing back is from the boom chain, used to tie the large outer logs and contain the log boom. This was a large spruce specimen (66′ length) and we wanted to preserve the milled planks with their original history. The Settle Bench is approximately 50″ long, 42″ tall and 24″ deep. The front piece folds down for shoe storage.

The tug boat image was taken by Norbert Kaysser who salvaged the Settle Bench log.

Tree Table and Chairs

by Prairie Bench0

 

The set includes four chairs and a pedestal table designed for lunch, coffee, or playing cards.  The table is fir and is 27″ tall, the chair seats are 16.5″. The color is our ‘storybook’ mix and the surface is finished in polyurethane for durability. The low chair backs give just enough support and encourage people to lean in and participate. We wanted a treehouse feel and a fun place to have a bowl of soup.

Design 96 – 100-BL-08-12

Altered Throne

by Prairie Bench0

 

This was designed specifically for a band’s stage prop. We enjoyed the challenge of building the six foot chair, cutting it in half and then buckling it back together. There’s four components: left and right side, the hand-carved back of a band member’s tattoo, and the seat. The construction is durable includes wheels to move the chair into position.

Spruce finished in dark walnut stain and polyurethane. Includes four steel hasps, four buckles and the seat is positioned on dowels to lock the frame as well.

#J95-BL-07-12
Approximate dimensions: 6’x27″x27″. Seat height is at 18″.

Click on the thumbnails to see assembly.  It’s actually quicker for one person to assemble the chair in an upright position, lock, and go—takes thirty seconds.