Commissions
THE FIRST ONE.
The journey will forever begin and end here. We had a special relationship with this project, in the shop, as it grew from two rough cut boards into what it is today. The unconditional freedom we were afforded in the design was rare. It was a mutual understanding that given an open state of mind, to create at will, true beauty would prevail.
I AM GRATEFUL TO BE A PART OF THIS TABLE, TO BE A PART OF IT'S STRUCTURE, IT'S CORE. KNOWING IT WILL BE A PLACE TO REST WEARY FEET OR HOLD A COLD DRINK ON A HOT SUMMER'S EVE. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE INFLUENCE THIS PIECE HAD ON ME, IN MY WOODWORKING JOURNEY, AND TO HAVE IT FOREVER LIVE WITH SPECIAL FRIENDS.
The table's story begins on the surface. A book-matched cherry top with a depth of figure rarely noticed in this typically straight grained wood. Cracks and voids were filled with a dark epoxy to showcase the beautiful inconsistencies of the natural wood. The live edge was turned inward and held together with purple and yellow heartwood splines. The playful use of color reflects this couple's artistic spirits and positive energy. The table base was created to flow with the mid century modern furniture in this lovely State College home.
JUST A BENCH
The personification of a design built for use, and from that use, beauty.
A place for excited children to put on their shoes before the outdoor adventures begin. A place for the groceries to rest before their journey to the kitchen. A place for dad to take off his work boots.
A QUIET CORNER, A SHADOW, A PEACE...A PLACE THAT HOLDS BOTH THE BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS OF OUR DAYS.
Constructed from hard maple the massive legs ground the bench, rooting it firmly in the built in mudroom. Mortise and tenon joinery further the feeling of weight and provide exceptional structural stability. Beautiful natural figure wraps around the entire bench, glowing under the evening light and bringing to life the spalted figure and bug holes in specific areas around the top.
Finished with multiple coats of varnish to provide excellent durability, the bench will wear slowly, in time, as it quietly watches the shoe sizes grow.
Beauty born from use….
ENTRY TABLE
Nothing quite says, "welcome" like an inviting table in the entrance of a home. A warm spot where you can't help but drop your keys, take off your coat, and stay a while.
It's a place to house blankets, for nights spent watching the snow fall. It's a place for a basket, filled with children's toys.
THE TABLE WILL FOREVER REMAIN A CONSTANT, ALWAYS SERVING ITS PURPOSE, PERCHED SO ELOQUENTLY BY THE ENTRANCE OF OUR HOME.
Designed with a figured walnut top and modern hard maple legs. Similar to other projects, the cracks and voids were filled with epoxy to structurally stabilize the wood and to enhance the natural imperfections.
A "wedge" was added to help hold one of the cracks on the bottom shelf and give the piece a unique tag, in an subtle location. The overall design concept was to bring out the natural walnut figure by housing it in a modern geometric frame. A design element that we hope to carry throughout the Keird lifestyle.