arch top

Old Plank Cedar Chest

by Prairie Bench0
prairie bench cedar chest 2
Cedar trunk in progress. A 100 year old camel back trunk sits in the background.

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A friend dropped off a few pieces of old growth cedar reclaimed from a demolition. These were 2×6″ used in the attic. Cut to size and planed, the planks are now an arch top cedar chest. The arch top and it’s relative, the camel back, prevented others from stacking luggage on top. Your luggage would be last on and first off at the steam ship dock.

There are still some iron fixtures and hinges to go on, but we thought you might like  to see some incredibly old cedar being put to reuse. The hardware will have to be old and worn, or we will make our own from steel flat bar.

The grain is very tight and the planks were heavy despite being cedar and completely dry. This one might be a keeper when it’s done, or maybe a traveling companion on display.

Approx size: 32″ wide x 22″ tall x 16″ deep
Approx weight: 30 lbs.

(Back with more pictures when it’s all shiny.)

The Repose Bench

by Prairie Bench0

In our ongoing fascination with ancient furniture, we wanted to design a unique bench that used a curved surface. The trick is in the joinery. We created barrel staves out of reclaimed spruce with vertical grain lath for stability. The X frame legs were another carry over from old world designs. Though, we’ll try this again in a box frame.

The Repose, as we call it, invites the sitter to lounge appropriately. Designed for the boudoir, or a photography studio, combine a few throw pillows and it forces the seated to assume a most flattering, nonchalant and radiant pose. It’s the Prairie Bench spin on early Grecian and Roman stools, where the partaking of peeled fruit and philosophy was the order.

Check earlier post for the accompanying, smaller, Attendant Stool. The same design, but in a traditional half moon shape specifically for the grape peeler.

Both are intended to alternate as a bedroom clothes heap holder.

Repose: 90-BL-06-12, reclaimed spruce, finished in dark walnut stain and counter oil.