Shelving Piece

I love designer furniture but the good stuff is really expensive. I figured I have a fighting chance at designing and making my own since I have an architecture background and basic woodworking skills.  I started working on some shelving pieces for my living room that would be my entertainment unit and hold A/V equipment, books and some records. With the design I wanted to move away from straight edges and fussy details like I had done in architecture and do something fun and sculptural. I thought since I am inexperienced with woodworking that leaning more on artistic abilities would be more forgiving when working with wood. Below are the design drawings.

I use Revit to draw, it's not the best for furniture but its what I know. I like the 3D views and soft monochromatic look.

It's hard to read but the unit is 66" long, 20 1/2" high and 14" deep.

Here's the latest progress photos, this is the second unit I've made now - made from ash.

I power carved the legs with a medium course Kutzall disc in an angle grinder. I think I preferred this over using a lathe because it is more irregular and sculptural, and I don't know how to use a lathe yet.

I love how the unit looks upside down. I spent a lot of time sanding and smoothing the bottom, it won't be seen but I think this look is something I will be doing for other work so the effort seemed worth it.

This view is really cool, like an architectural arcade.

I'm going to carve a dimple detail into the exposed tenons on the top shelf. I think it will do the unit justice when looking down at it sitting on the floor.

More to come!

Nate