Product
Design-Build Furniture
Wedged Walnut Cabinet
The Wedged Walnut Cabinet was completed with guidance from Sara Huston, who led the Furniture Design Studio at the University of Oregon. The project received a studio commendation. It currently resides chez Simrell+Scott, and we’ve even relaxed enough to actually put things on the shelves!
A modern heirloom.
As a custodian of culture, the designer’s mandate requires focused attention towards creating work that stands the test of time by endearing users to the work itself. Minding this mission, the core drivers of the furniture design process for the Wedged Walnut Cabinet include the call to “bring back the heirloom,” the celebration of quality materials that delight both the eye and the hand, and the respect of the hardwood.
The dramatic grain of the solid walnut sourced for this piece builds visual complexity, especially as multiple boards are joined together. This complexity, juxtaposed with the clean lines and orthogonal organization of the piece, helps to form the visual balance of the Wedged Walnut Cabinet.
Clean Lines and Wood Grain
The dramatic grain of the joined walnut boards is hand-curated to form a modern, graphic aesthetic.
A Hint of Color
The pale blue paint of the MDF core was chosen for its delicate hue that complemented the walnut in both warmth and value.
A finish friendly to the planet and the user.
All walnut surfaces are rubbed with a natural wood finish comprised of linseed oil, tung oil, beeswax, pine resin, and orange oil. Domestically produced and without any petroleum products or heavy metal dryers, the finish leaves the piece and the surrounding area smelling of citrus after each application, rather than of harsh chemicals. This is of particular importance for an oil-finished piece of furniture, as it will require reconditioning over time.
Detail at Top Bookmatch
The bookmatching of the top piece creates a mirrored pattern with the grain of the wood.
A hint of color.
The MDF core is painted pale blue to minimize the visual dominance of the core within the overall composition, while maintaining adequate contrast with the naturally finished walnut.
When You Can’t Find a Precedent, Make One
Without an example of a wood joint that met all the needs of the piece, a joint had to be designed precisely for it in order to achieve proper grain orientation, both functionally and aesthetically.
A rare wood joint for a specific need.
One of the smallest and most difficult details to design and construct was at the intersection of the vertical grain side and back panels of the keystone box in a tight, notched corner. Creating and building this joint, which maintains grain orientation integrity with the other discrete walnut elements of the piece, while avoiding trapping the wood, was crucial to the success of the project.
Dry-Fit Like a Glove
Dry-fitting the cabinet into the structural core required that there be zero construction tolerance: each piece had to be measured, constructed, and finished with complete precision.
Dry-Fit Like a Glove
Dry-fitting the cabinet into the structural core required that there be zero construction tolerance: each piece had to be measured, constructed, and finished with complete precision.
Hardware as a Design Element
Brushed steel rods are threaded just enough to peek through a coordinating hex nut and washer.
Hardware as a Design Element
Brushed steel rods are threaded just enough to peek through a coordinating hex nut and washer.
The Keystone Box, Three-Quarter Back View
The keystone box wedges through the MDF core, linking the elements together. The top and bottom of the keystone are constructed from a single, resawn, bookmatched walnut board, a move complicated by the narrow thickness of the material.
The Keystone Box, Three-Quarter Back View
The keystone box wedges through the MDF core, linking the elements together. The top and bottom of the keystone are constructed from a single, resawn, bookmatched walnut board, a move complicated by the narrow thickness of the material.
Flexible Function
The cabinet sits at hip-height, perfect as a surface to drop off your keys, or to serve a plate of appetizers.
Flexible Function
The cabinet sits at hip-height, perfect as a surface to drop off your keys, or to serve a plate of appetizers.
Dry-fit, like a glove.
Since the horizontal members of the base cabinet wedge into the MDF core and sit directly on it, paint and wood finish had to be applied with precision prior to assembly, or the elements of the piece would fail to fit together as a whole.
Detail at Front Left Corner
A brushed steel rod supports the keystone box over the cabinet below.
Detail at Front Left Corner
A brushed steel rod supports the keystone box over the cabinet below.
Hardware Detail at Base Connection
Under the floating base, the brushed steel rods screw into an extended threaded footing.
Hardware Detail at Base Connection
Under the floating base, the brushed steel rods screw into an extended threaded footing.
Detail at Base of MDF Core
The MDF core appears to float above the floor.
Detail at Base of MDF Core
The MDF core appears to float above the floor.
Hardware as a design element.
Other than six hidden screws securing the horizontal and vertical wings of the core, all of the hardware is exposed and aesthetically and structurally relevant to the design.
Detail at Back Corner
A brushed steel rod supports the keystone box over the cabinet below.
Designing for a 360° experience.
The Wedged Walnut Cabinet is designed to be viewed from any side, with no one side having lesser aesthetic value. Thus, it is not limited to a position against a wall, but instead is best admired in the center of a room.
Still hungry for more about this project?
Go deep, and read more about it in our blog.
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