Custom Design - Result

Technically, this is a very demanding piece. To make the apron, an ellipse must be calculated and transferred to the wood. In order to curve the wood like this, we must first cut the wood into thin strips, steam, and then bend them to the correct form, gluing each layer together in what are called laminations. We curved the grain of the wood into an oval shape, which preserves its strength and beauty. The joints of the laminations must be staggered, and the final one must disappear under the leg boss. The leg angle must be extremely accurate for the table to have the proper stance, and also for the splay to be “invisible”.

The selection of wood was critical. The top must be allowed to expand and contract with the humidity without cracking, yet since it is a chess board, the board must have no gaps or filler. Moreover, stain cannot be used because it would darken the maple. The colours of the different kinds of wood must naturally balance and emphasize one another.

The elegance of the table belies the meticulous technical work necessary to perfect it. The chess board must be made first and fitted into a recess in the top. We bored air escape holes to ease installation. The drawer sides must be dovetailed to curved fronts, which are cut from the formed apron. The beading, too, must be worked on curved surfaces, and mitred as required. Drawer clearances must also be very small, and the drawer must slide perfectly straight and parallel so the drawer can be used from both sides. We placed magnets in the drawer and table to help centre it.

The piece was finished with Tung oil, let dry, and then the top coated with clear lacquer.

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Chess Table Drawer

Drawer Detail

Chess Table