BRIAN HOLCOMBE’S CONSTRUCTION IS ALL ABOUT THE FINELY CREATED JOINT WORK
I recently made a few pieces of furniture for my young son Henry’s room, including a low-platform bed. I knew Henry would not need it for a number of years, but I had the feeling that my wife or myself would be spending many an evening beside his crib. I put together a design which was simple in outward appearance and would reveal details of its construction in subtle fashion. For the major connections I felt that joinery typical to Japanese carpentry would lend itself well to the design.
Recently I received a commission for Henry’s bed design. Excited by the opportunity to improve upon an older design, I detailed a number of changes I wanted to make and presented them to the client. They were interested to see my ideas put to work and so I began moving forward. I wanted to use continuous chamfers on every surface. The original design had dovetailed legs, and I wanted to repeat that but in a fashion that appeared more congruous.
Double Mortise and Tenons
Tusk Tenon
Drawbored Joints
Dovetail Housing
Bridle Joints
Fitting the Slats
