Two More Up
At this rate, literally, I may never finish these cabinets. I think when the weather gets better this spring the pace will pick up, but right now, there does not seem to be an end in site. After the issues I had with the doors on the butler’s pantry side I am being very cautious with the dinging room side. Even with that, there were still some minor issues with the first pair. Fortunately, they were minor and I was able to make due. There was definite improvement over the butler’s pantry, though, so that is something.
Now, I just need to keep from getting cocky with the relative success of the first two. These two sets of upper cabinets on the dining room side are really a focal point for the whole room. Even minor issues will be noticeable, but major ones will be glaring. I think once I get the other pair finished on the left side, the 4 small ones on the bottom will go faster. After that, I just need to do the little pass-through door.
I changed to a shallower and wider bevel on the front side of these doors, as opposed to the butler’s pantry side. This means I will be able to use the wooden stays to hold the glass in. I bought some stencils to do etching on the glass, but I haven’t decided if I’ll use them yet. You can see some of the designs here. My main concern is that they are too small. The doors are 4-feet tall and the rose stencils are only about 7-inches tall. Most of these are made for use on wine glasses and picture frames.
The other issue with these is the color. The burl and curly redwood is a much denser and darker wood than even the tightest old-growth vertical grain redwood. I haven't decided if I should celebrate the contrast of try to darken the doors.
At the blistering pace I’m moving these days, there is plenty of time to decide about both the glass etching and the tone of the wood.
9 comments:
On those stencils, maybe a person cleverer than me (lol) could enlarge them for you. If you know any graphic arts people, that would perhaps be who to go to.
Because rose stencils on those doors would be perfect.
Gayle,
That is a good idea, but I'm not sure it would work in this case. It seems like these are designed to work with a special glass etching paste. I've never used it before, but I think the paste eats away at part of the stencil and the etches the glass in that area only.
Oooooh, so gorgeous. You are doing great.
I have never used the 'rub n etch' stencils but I have used some that are the akin to the 'peel n etch' stencils with an etching cream. I think you are correct in that these rub 'n etch are a one time use only and are specific to the product and can't be enlarged. However, a good graphic artist (or excellent extacto knife user) could enlarge the design on to an adhesive-backed product and cut out the design. That could then be used as a peel n etch.
If it were me I'd be tempted to do leaded glass in those doors mixing clear with the red and gold from the back in an orthogonal design rather than something etched. I was looking at a tall cabinet from 1890 this weekend that had just that arrangement on the top doors.
Anyhow, really nice job so far Greg, almost anything - even just plain glass would look great
Not roses. You need the cat faces stencil!
I think you need to be careful at this point to not get too "creative" with the glass. You've got a lot going on with that wood already. If your glassware collection is not something you want the world to see and admire, how about using textured glass?
Marilyn
All are good ideas and observations. I'm leaning away from the roses, but not the idea of etching. I think something a little more Art Nouveau would be better. What ever the design, it should only be around the edges so my important guests {cough} can admire the fine china on display. I've also given a lot of thought about the diamonds with a few color accents. I've seen that done as well. Very nice.
I'd celebrate the differences in the woods. Looking good so far!
The colored glass in the bulter's pantry is very jolly. I too vote to embrace the natural differences in the woods. About the roses. Have you thought about mimicking some pattern from those very cool original pulls or hinge hardware for etching? Could be either elaborate or simple. Enjoying the progress.
I know you enjoy taking the hard road when the easy one is right in front of you ... ;) ... so, how about instead of stenciling/etching the glass you go for the more complex and infinitely more frustrating (but satisfying) glue chipping?
It's the effect you see in the glass windows of your typical ol' time Saloon, or victorian front entrance windows. I've never tried it but kept a link since years showing how to do it.
Basically involves etching the pattern on the glass, then coating it with rabbit skin glue, and as the glue dries, it 'chips off' the glass surface.
http://www.theletterheads.com/lhparts/gluechip.html
Wiki probably has something too.
Cheers, Angus
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