Hello again and welcome to the web log of Eric Johnson's Furniture. I build 17th and 18th century reproduction furniture. I use New England hardwood almost exclusively. These include Cherry, Flame Cherry, Tiger Maple and Birdseye maple.
Today I would like to write about a cherry cupboard I recently completed. Scott and Mary Jo Stevens recently bought a Bed and Breakfast in the same town I live in. The bed and breakfast is called the Colonel Spencer Inn. I believe the house was built is 1764. Scott gave me a very interesting tour of the place. There are a lot of interesting details in the house that Scott enjoyed sharing. If you ever are in the central New Hampshire area taking part in all the winter and summer activities, I would highly recommend getting in touch with the Stevens and spend some time enjoying the character of an old house as well as the warm hospitality of the Stevens. Check out their web site at www.colonelspencerbb.com
Scott and Mary Jo was interested in a Cherry cupboard. We talked for some time about what they were looking for and I came up with a design that they liked. However, as I was building the piece I kept coming up with other ideas that I thought would make the piece even better. I eventually settled with what I have here in the picture. There are a few things I really like about this piece. The lamb’s tongue on the corners is one of them. They are difficult to see in the picture, but in person they add a very interesting detail to the piece. I enjoy them because of the added detail but also, they are hand carved and whenever I can add a hand carved detail it makes me happy. The design of the sides on the top piece is another thing I really like about this piece. Originally it was going to be a case with a face frame. I got to thinking about that and thought I was missing an opportunity to do something different and exciting. The cut-out design of the sides adds more class and intrigue to the piece yet still in keeping with the country cupboard design we were looking for. All in all, this was a very enjoyable piece to build and I hope the Stevens are enjoying the piece as much as I did building it.
As always if you have any questions or comments on anything I have written please feel free to drop me a line. Also, if you would like to discuss a piece of furniture you have in mind, give me a call. 603-726-4980
