Burl Slab Tables: the Base

     My guiding principle in creating these slab tables is to allow the top speak.  I looked for a simple  and substantial design for the legs.  Working with cuts from longer slabs I chose the following shape for the legs:

Dadoing the underside of the slab gives us a solid seat for the tenons on the end of the legs. With the legs dry fit into the top, I laid out the shoulders for the cross lap on the stretcher:

A-Frame Nightstand Completed

A-Frame NightStands

Walnut, Poplar

20"w x 15"d x 26 1/4" h

Watco Danish Oil (Natural), Arm-R-Seal

     I initially designed this nightstand in 2011 as a way of blending dovetail case construction with a mid-century modern aesthetic.  

The case features dovetail construction, seperated into 2 compartments with a solid shelf seated in a dado.  Perched on four legs, rabbeted to accept the case, the design moves away from traditional mortise/tenon which feature aprons to join the legs to the top.  The leg assemblies are connected with a stretcher to resist racking forces.