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Dining Table and ChairsMaterials: Cherry and Red Oak, Oil/Polyurethane/Beeswax Finish This dining table and set of four chairs was commissioned by a local couple. Their home is deep in the woods, and there are many windows looking out on the trees in the forest. Standing in the dining room, I felt the table 'growing' out of the floor as the trees grow out of the forest floor. My clients told me they wanted glass in the table top, so we collaborated very closely over a period of months in designing and building the table in such a manner that the legs and laminated "backbone" would show through, but at the same time styling the edge to protect the glass, then tackled the chairs. The spirit of the table is brought out in the laminated leg assemblies that resemble the roots at the base of a tree. Both the table and the chairs used cherry and red oak I milled from salvaged trees, and each share a bent lamination strength element. As mentioned, the table uses the lamination in the "backbone", while the chairs use it in the crest rail. I sized the chairs to fit both the husband and wife, who are considerably different in height; happily they both find the chairs very comfortable. In keeping with my philosophy of involving my clients in the process as much as they like, they selected the beautiful upholstery fabric and I applied it to the seats, contoured and padded with 2 inches of foam and two layers of batting. As with all my chairs, the upholstery continues across the entire bottom of the seat to make a finished look. The table and chair frames were rubbed with mixtures of tung oil, linseed oil, polyurethane varnish, and beeswax in several coats to give them a nice tactile feel and natural look. The custom design process is a wonderful and fulfilling collaboration between myself and my clients. This table and chair set was a rewarding furniture making challenge for all of us. After discussing a project, I like to visit the home (or business) where the furniture will reside, or at least review photographs if my client is too far away to visit, and then I provide a selection of computer drawn 3-dimensional renderings of what the pieces might look like so we can all visualize them. This begins the iterative give and take design process, resulting in a 'no bad surprises' delivery of just the right furniture! Let me work with you to design and build the perfect custom dining table and chairs for your home! Juried Virginia Professional Artisan: Artisans Center of Virginia
Andrew Pitts is a designer and maker of original fine custom furniture, in styles which are traditional and elegantly contemporary. He primarily uses naturally finished Virginia hardwoods, such as cherry, oak, and maple, milled and dried himself at his forest workshop. Let one of his quality hand crafted pieces add a glow of warmth to your home! Area Served: Nationwide  HOME |
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