FilliQvist

Introducing: The Nelson Bench

2012-01-23T16:45:00.000-08:00

A client requested a simple and economical bench to go with the Farmhouse Table they ordered and this is what I came up with for them. It is 5 feet long 11 1/2 inches wide and 19" tall and can handle a family growing up on them with ease. The design now bears the family name for which it was designed "The Nelson". The bench is available at a price of $120 bare and $150 in most any finish and is guaranteed to last the 20 years or so it takes to raise a family . See more pictures of the bench and table after the jump.

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Contests and Other Blogs

2012-01-20T20:51:00.000-08:00

You: "So, Skip, what's up with the pan??"

Skip: "Take the jump and find out...you might even win some cool shwag!"

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The Real Color of the Year or How Pantone Got It Wrong

2011-12-30T19:44:00.000-08:00

Don't get me wrong, I love Pantone, but on this one they messed up. The lead color of the year is Tango Tangerine seen here. Still, one of the other colors of the year Sodalite Blue (not enough black and yellow in the blue) which comes close, but still not "the" color of the year.
Well FilliQuist is making an official statement-

Bergbana Blue is the color of the year, period.

FilliQuist Color of the 2012

Bergbana Blue

After seeing, and consequently, falling in love with this color on a tram in Sweden (seen here) Filliquist began to notice this shade of blue all over Sweden. While primarily in the outdoor equipment industry this blue is rapidly creeping into the US market.

Tangirine Tango may be on the A-listers but FilliQuist predicts the comfort and mellow tone of this color will ultimately be more popular. Examples below after the jump......

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Merry Christmas From FilliQuist

2011-12-24T22:58:00.000-08:00

And a Happy New Year
Happy Holidays to ALL!

Oak Farm House Table Chairs Rescued, Refinished, and Returned to the Table

2011-12-15T16:18:00.000-08:00

Ahhh, Oak. Absolutely overdone in the 80's. When mixed with the palette of pastels relegated to the same decade I still cringe. However, I was given a few old dilapidated Oak side chairs a friend had dug out of a shed I began to appreciate this once desecrated wood.

Poor little chair!

Click the jump to see the transformation!

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The Best Of: Documentry of Birch Bark Canoe Building

2011-12-11T20:33:00.000-08:00

I am not easily impressed. This film impressed me beyond words. I hope you may find it just as stunning. It is an hour long, but the story that is told is one that is near impossible to find today. It also shows just how close and basic the resources for boat building can be. Please make a cup a coffee, tea, or other warm beverage and enjoy this beautiful film brought to you by the National Film Board of Canada.
It is titled Cesar's Bark Canoe by Bernard Gosselin.

Enjoy.

Dexter Side Table or Nightstand

2011-12-07T10:51:00.000-08:00

Been awhile since I've said hello, and as always busy busy busy. All the same here is a new piece- The Dexter.

More pictures and specifications after the jump!

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The Cider Press Pendant

2011-11-15T06:26:00.000-08:00

Fresh out of the studio is the Cider Press Pendant. This is a completely handmade fixture. Click through for more details and price.

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The Best Of: Old Feed Stores

2011-11-13T20:24:00.000-08:00

Do you like Feed Shops? This might seem like an odd question and in every right I suppose that it is, but bear with me here.

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Restoring a Classic Federal Style Dinning Table

2011-11-11T11:11:00.000-08:00

An old table ~~gets a new lease on life~~ is made brand new again.

This is out of the archives of work that I've done for customers. But seeing how I've been doing so many restorations I figured, why not?

You get an old table that has been soaked by a flood. Dookied on by bats. Heated and dried by extreme summer temperatures. Cooled and dampened by winter dreary and gloom. Then, and only then is it a perfect candidate for restoration.
More after the jump.......

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Woodview Sidetable

2011-11-09T20:12:00.000-08:00

A quick one today.

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Chicago Town

2011-11-07T10:56:00.000-08:00

Taking some time to travel and see what the middle part (ish) of the country is doing and thinking; Chicago was a welcome change of scene.
Seeing the difference in buildings and attitude pulls one out of the everyday and gets you to see and interact with the destination. Maybe it was just the stupid grin on my face as I wandered between the hotel, art museum and the Miracle Mile but I never get Hey's, Hi's, or Hello there's in other cities, just C-town. Impressive. What was also impressive was the city: there are so many other pictures; so please, click though to see them with details and comments.

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Studio Workspace Renovation Part 2

2011-10-31T08:14:00.000-07:00

Yes! There are hard wood floors!!

After tearing out the foam next comes the staples...........................................
........After the jump............

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Studio Workspace Renovation

2011-10-26T08:40:00.000-07:00

FilliQuist is MOVING!!!
Thanks to a stroke of luck, a building on the farm where we currently reside has become available. Filliquist Studio has struck while the iron is hot and decided to move in. Below are some pictures of the space before renovation. I hope there are hardwood floors under that carpet!!

It's a bit messy in its raw state

Plenty of natural light!!

Yea! My favorite source of heat!!

And a VIEW!!

Harvest Season

2011-10-26T08:28:00.000-07:00

The time has come to gather fruit here at Pine Knoll. The hay has been cut. The firewood has been stacked. The berrys have been picked. The pears have been plucked. Now all that is left are the apples. If we can keep Jake (the German Shepherd) from eating them.....

Just the begining.....

Our New Bookend

2011-10-20T09:28:00.000-07:00

I don't normally cover accessories, but this was just too good to pass up. A few more pic's after the jump...

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The Pine Knoll Office Desk

2011-10-18T09:26:00.000-07:00

Taxes, bills, reports, research, paperwork- no matter what you call it chances are you don't really want to be doing it. Either way, it has to be dealt with. Preferably in an office. Usually in that office is some semblance of a desk. Whether it was made from an old door and some cinder blocks in college or a cheap pressed chip board with printed wood graphics from some office supply store or Costco chances are you didn't like sitting at your desk in your office. This desk solves that problem and gives a little more...after the jump.....

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Always Learning

2011-10-16T14:41:00.000-07:00

I believe that it is good to learn. When you are out of school and living the life that you have chosen for yourself things can get kind of, well, boring. Get up, go to work, eat lunch, work, dinner, TV, bed time.....repeat. That is one of the reasons that I choose to do just what I do, it is never boring and something new comes along just before life has a chance to fall into that pattern.
A client came to me with a chair that she needed caned. Well in the past this was usually about an hours work and it was done.

Not this time.

More after the jump:

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Moving: Lessons From a Vancouver, B.C. Bookstore

2011-10-14T14:40:00.000-07:00

This post is for anyone that is moving and gets to the point that they think they just have too much "stuff". Well after reading this you might realize- you don't.

As I mentioned in the "Getting On With It" post, Filliquist Studio is moving! So while the sun is setting on our place by the Tacoma Narrows Airport; it is rising on Pine Knoll, the farm that we are moving to. As we begin to move the question of what is necessary and what is just "stuff" becomes glaringly apparent. I also can't help but think about a book store that we visited recently to make myself feel better about the whole process.

Now I don't feel so bad..... Every nook, cranny, shelf, floor spot, crevice, fireplace (yes even the unused fireplace had books in it), closet, stair tread or other potentially unused spot had a stack of books in it.

A little more after the jump.....

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Trellis Bench

2011-10-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

This bench came from a desire to have a comfortable place to sit in the garden while not dominating the garden itself. Not only are the lines nearly transparent but they also allow (as the name suggests) vines to climb up them. Sweet pea's, tomatoes, jasmine; take your pick of balsam flower and with a season or two you will have a private little hide-a-way that is as sweeter and more special than anyone could ask for.
Details after the jump.

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Getting On With It

2011-10-11T08:50:00.000-07:00

The pace is quickening. More is happening. The Chris Craft has to be flipped over and on its trailer by the end of October. Filliquist is moving to Pine Knoll! More on that soon!

The ply bottom has been replaced. Today I finish replacing the port chine board. After that on to the bottom planking! After much deliberation and consultation I have made the decision to use a new material that I am fairly sure has never been used on or in a restoration of such a boat.

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The Rancho Yolo Lodge Table- Built From a Ranch for A Ranch

2011-10-09T10:00:00.000-07:00

This is a big table with a bit of a tale.

More pictures and tale after the jump.

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A Guest Bed with Hint of Gustaivan

2011-10-07T08:30:00.000-07:00

The photos above the bed are by Sharon Montrose

With guests coming in from Sweden we are overdue for a proper bed and frame. For a number of years now we have been punishing our guests with an inflatable bed. We are far to nice for that! Really though it is time to grow up (a bit) and get a real guest bed put together. Keeping with Swedish design gives the piece direction without too many frills and at the same time simple without being straight boring lines. Oh Gustav, where would we be without you today?

More details and photos after the jump.....

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A New Light for Our Table

2011-10-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

We live in a small farm house. We love our small farm house. Sadly, we do not own this farm house, we rent it! The kitchen in this house has track lighting. We don't like the track lighting. We can not get rid of the bad track lighting. We made a light that fits in our small farm house in our small kitchen. We like this light a whole lot! Here is what it looks like.

The black and white helps to see the construction, which, by the way, is vintage cloth wrapped cord, 1/16" steel wire for the hanger, 1" square tubing, and 3 (10 points for seeing it before being told about it!) Ikea Vasen vases that have been sandblasted, drilled and inverted. More pictures (color) and details after the jump....

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A Complete DIY Farmhouse Table

2011-10-03T14:05:00.000-07:00

Tis the season all 'round the (Northern) world that we begin to think about the harvest season, the holiday season and most of all- just being indoors. Spending more time indoors working and entertaining requires a good size table.
    I myself am not interested in shelling out a few hundred to a couple thousand bucks for a good size table. So I decided to make one ! AND share the process with you! The cost of materials? Wood, glue and screws-$60 Tops. That's it.
   If you need to buy the tools then plan on about another $150 to $200 for a low end table saw or a hand held circular saw, a cordless drill and some drill bits. Or borrow one from a neighbor or friend or work with them on the project!
  Surprisingly there are many steps that can be skipped and I will note them with an *. Not doing the steps will result in a less finished looking table but a table just the same.  So, shall we get started?

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Then & Now Lamp

2011-09-04T13:07:00.000-07:00

No springs. No tension. No screws. No problem.

Click the jump to see the rest!!

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Stereo Cabinet Restoration Inspiration

2011-09-01T20:44:00.000-07:00

I've been working on this little gem:

If you can believe it I picked this Magnavox stereo cabinet up for FREE!! The stereo inside didn't work any more. I suspect the of the tubes had gone bad as this is a pretty old unit. Regardless the record player still worked beautifully. But I had other ideas for the unit check after the jump for a big surprise!! I promise it is worth it!!

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The Caterpillar is Released!

2011-08-24T10:06:00.000-07:00

As of late much work has been done in the bench genre. Now I am up to my neck in them! I have completed another Wine bench, a trellis bench (post coming), a navy chair bench(also- post coming), and the newest, the Caterpillar bench.
This little wonder was conceived spur of the moment and now that I try to remember I can't even place its origin. All the same, it is just brilliant and I have to share.
Each piece is 18" wide by 16" tall by 9" deep- But that's not a bench you say.....and I say RIGHT! But!...check after the jump.....

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The Best Of: A Different Take On Floors

2011-07-02T18:27:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest things a trip to Sweden offers is quaint little reminders. The pace and social attitude of Sweden is a refreshing take on how life IS and not how it marketed to be. Being that this statement relies on experience from having visited of living in Sweden let me offer an example.
While driving on Swedish highways it frequently happened that a motorist would be merging, but only doing so extremely s l o w l y. Large trucks, and occasionally cars, would have to brake heavily in order to avoid a collision or an incident. As this happened there were no flashing of lights, honking horns, dramatic swerving and violent acceleration finalized by the giving of "the look" (at least) or "the bird" followed by yelling and cursing (at most).
So why the anecdote? Besides the fact that I was stunned by the civility and seemingly passe' attitude toward driving there were other standards that were not questioned, if only for the sake that logically, intelligently, and simply-they couldn't be. And this is where pine floors come in.....
Click on the Jump for more-

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Chris Craft Restoration

2011-06-27T10:35:00.000-07:00

Here we are half way through summer it seems and the Chris Craft restoration is moving along slowly. All the same progress is being made. The bottom is removed and the replacement wood is ready to be milled. The type of bottom has been holding up progress though. I am not quite satisfied with the rigid properties of an epoxy "West System" bottom also I am not thoroughly convinced of the 5200 or BoatLife style bottom either and finally the lack of longevity of the original construction does not seem wise either...... And so the debate continues....

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Geez has it been a month??

2011-06-21T01:14:00.000-07:00

My sincere apologies to those that read this blog, or at least try to. I haven't really written anything in almost a month and as the last post says I have been super busy. Anyho....

Alfa Gazpacho-photo by Veronica Fermskog

....in that time I've built a wine celler, two artists' studios, designed an office space, refinished some chairs, striped and varnished a boat, put ~~two~~ five (damn rain) coats of varnish on a beautiful sailboat, started varnish work on a 65' (20 meter) motor yacht and I've been travelling in Sweden for two weeks! Oh yes- and named a horse! Alfa Gazpacho - ha! See him on the June 18th post or under Vora Fol (Our Foals). We are on the train to Stockholm as I type for the last few days and then there should be a wave of posts covering said work. So Hej Da (heya-doo-a) for now!!

Are (Aur-a)
and there should be a little o over the A

BUSY!

2011-05-24T09:04:00.000-07:00

For those that check in hoping for an update I would like to bring you up to speed. Lately all work has been outside and on boats. Varnishing season has opened here in Gig Harbor and is keeping me quite busy. Filliquist Studio also had a visit from the Balvenie Rare Craft Roadshow. What a Treat!!

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Matching Side Table for Winery Bench

2011-04-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

Here it is! Using the two ends of the White Oak Wine Barrel yields two 22" diameter side tables. The base is a single piece of bent smoothed and waxed. The top is oiled and then waxed.

Retail $119

The Best Of: Glass Manufactures

2011-04-01T10:34:00.000-07:00

I have high standards, very high in fact. It is not very often that I find something, someplace, or someone that I believe worthy of not just my own, but everyone else's esteem. Before you go and assume that I am some kind of self-rightous, pompous, elitist that thinks he is better than all, let me tell you that I usually fall short on my own standards, high as they are. So.. what's all this about?

La Rochere Cristallerie is a glass manufacturer that excedes these standards and is one company that I consider -The Best Of- Click through to read more on this exceptional business.....

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The Dry Wine Bench, or just, The Winery Bench

2011-03-23T08:58:00.000-07:00

I would like to introduce a new little (not really, see dimensions at bottom) addition to the FilliQuist family, The Dry Wine Bench.

A wine barrel in it's previous life, the back of the bench is an unfolded white oak red wine barrel still stained by its former nectar and each screw hole plugged with fresh oak bungs.

The seat is a solid piece of white oak that is fit carefully into a notch made in each stave.

The top rail is finished with white oak as well which has been steamed into place.

Because of the solid seat surface, the bench should be turned over regularly to prevent warping. A task which shouldn't be much of a problem since after a rain or morning dew the bench can be flipped over to offer a dry seat and back. You see, the bench seat is exactly in the middle making the top the bottom and vice versa.

Even though white oak is naturally rot resistant the whole bench is oiled and waxed for added protection. The bench pictured is approximately 7'6"L x 37" H x 20"D with a seat depth of 16" good for two shy people and 3-4 good friends. Retail for the standard two person 5' bench is $1150. Production and different sizes are available.

A New Tea Light Candle Chandelier

2011-03-07T09:15:00.000-08:00

Fresh out of the Studio is as mentioned a tea light candle chandelier. Fairly simple description. The glass votives are hanging from a lightweight chain and attached to an assembly of branches that, using more chain, is hung virtually anywhere, as with any candle not near combustibles! Hang it from an awning, a trellis, over a dining table or a under tree. Drifting and twisting about in the evening breeze these lights will move and flicker on the canopy of branches or ceiling above. The dancing shadows will enliven those late night conversations and softly light smiling faces melding them into the warm memory that is summer.

Enjoy!

Congrats to our winner-Barbro!!!

2011-03-02T21:32:00.000-08:00

Really though!! Maybe more next time!! Maybe more than one!!

Keep your eyes peeled for the next contest OR just start following today and be a part of the next true give away!

A New Piece and a Give Away!!

2011-03-01T19:03:00.000-08:00

Good news!!

Filliquist is having its first give-away!!

I have been working on more salvage wood products. I began in the fall retrieving some boards out of a burn pile (the true burn worthy stuff is set to go off for Swedish Midsummer June 24th).

Then after letting them dry completely in the shop, I quickly dulled the blades on the planer smoothing out the boards. Then, after dulling the blades some more I moved on to giving myself countless splinters. One right after another. I milled out and doweled the corner/edge pieces. Then made a shelf.

Then sealed the whole unit with a special super secret preservative and painted the inside to keep it from looking too dark and scary. After a 3 coats of water based poly I squeezed black caulk in the seams on the sides and top and...... Viola!! DONE!!

Now for the GIVE AWAY!! In order to boost readership I will be giving the new cabinet away on Wednesday March 2 2011 to a random selection of ONE of the blog's followers!!! So if you haven't joined now's the time!! The cutoff time is March 1st at 12am.

GOOD LUCK!

The Art of Mimicry

2011-02-03T21:13:00.000-08:00

I was reminded today of a table I had completed for a client a while ago. In ordering a coffee table to go in a recent addition of their home Buus, a furniture manufacturer, had all but disappeared. To ensure that the piece would still be delivered on time I built it and loosely took the lines (for any copy write claims please contact me and I'll yell at you first for failing to complete the order then discuss the terms of licensing fees.) With that out of the way. Here is the original care of Buss.....

And then of course what I created. The wood is Cumaru and the hardware is hand forged. The finish was made lighter in order to match a built in cabinet. Not to shabby, eh?

Now as for Buus- when are you guys going to get back in business again? You had some great designs!!

Where is Perfection?

2011-01-26T20:48:00.000-08:00

Perfection. The mere utterance conjures idealism succinctly answered. To many there are examples of this everywhere, to others nothing can be Perfect. Many look to make Perfection their own and provide this definition and dimension to their lives by altering Perfection as it has been created. In doing so they are willing to fore go the Perfection that an object offers in order to create perfection in their own sense. But is that Perfection as well? So then is Perfection individual or collective? And does Perfection come from the function of the individual in relation to Perfected object,or event, or is it the relation of the object (already Perfect) to the person. Furthermore does the function of a Perfect object, or event, end with the duty provided? Or, does Perfection last for infinite time as a result of the occurance of the encounter of the individual and event or object. Essentially, where does Perfection begin and where does it end? Or is it like the sky where we touch it at all times just at varying depths?

A Perfect Day

No matter. For me Perfection is attained when an object, situation,or an idea is succintly answered. The answer can be for a fleeting moment or last for all eternity. Either way, a Perfect “event” lasts forever with the simple impact that it happened. To the best of my ability, I will chronicle those elements here under the Perfection heading. To the current few enjoying this blog, I hope this is a refreshing return to the essence that makes life enjoyable.

Formal Presentation of the Impression $600-$2000

2011-01-18T12:00:00.000-08:00

   In completing my portfolio for submission to a Masters of Architecture program I took more proper photos of the newly named Impressive Coffee Table. Which, by the way, is available for purchase.
   The one pictured is Cedar from a wind fall tree in Lake Tahoe, CA. Worm holes and nicks from the saw have been filled in and smoothed over with clear epoxy and reveal the organic history and working marks of the piece. It is available for $3500 (this is a personal piece and does not reflect the general pricing structure). Dimensions are 60"Lx 24"Wx 17"H.
   -Or, if one prefers, a hand built Impressive can be made to specification.
   -Any choice of wood (except imaginary, extinct or endangered)
   -Wood finish can be impeccable or show some marks of the wood's history
   (appropriately polished with 6 coats of varnish or other appropriate finish)
   -Gloss or satin varnish
   -Steel base can be slightly distressed (as shown) or clean and waxed.
   -Pricing then will ballpark between $600-$2000 before shipping.
Enjoy!

Modern Bench

2011-01-18T10:27:00.000-08:00

So we had a large group of friends over for dinner and there just wasn't enough seating. Two tables + (six chairs - 10 guests) = X. X equals not enough seats? Right? The answer really came in the form of two benches. and here they are!

Being relatively new to the higher latitudes I must add that photography is rather difficult, even at midday. That is when these pictures were taken and I am more than just a little disappointed that this is how low the shadows were!

I Was a Christmas Elf

2010-12-28T13:50:00.000-08:00

I was a Christmas Elf. I made toys. I made games. I made decorations. I even helped a perfect stranger with table base for their Christmas party. One day it's, "is that done yet?" and "GO, GO, GO." The next it is silent. Not just quiet, I mean silent.

It all starts with the easy tasks. for the first few days I make wheels for the toy cars and trucks. Then, after a while, those are done and it is on to the gluing together of the pieces of wood for the vehicles themselves.

I find it amazing that inside each on of these boards, blocks, sheets and chunks of wood there exists a shape or an idea that will light up a persons face. Perhaps a child lights up and thinks, "Oh gee! For me! And it looks just like a truck!!"

Wood Truck 10"x5" Natural (you can eat it, but don't) Finish $25

The adult unimpressed at first thinks, "Oooh, I bet that is going hurt when I step on it in the kids room!" But then, noticing the rounded corners is relieved and then begins to drift off in thought, pondering the pleasant hours of distraction the little wood truck will provide their tot.

It gives me pause to wonder why people of all situations don't stare at trees and lumber, just standing there, drooling at the unlimited happiness and distraction inducing possibilities that lie within.

First, little car shapes are cut out, my precise and nimble little fingers cutting out the shapes that only a child’s imagination can dream up. Parents, all too often, look scowling, at our work and think (or worse say), "that's not what a car looks like." Poor folk, somewhere in their fragile Freudian unconscious they are wanting one for their own inner child. So sad. They should just give in!

Wood Cars 8"x6" Natural (you can eat it, but don't) Finish $25

Finally finished with the bodies and wheels I finish the assembly with short yet strong axles. One final detail -the window. I carefully drill out and round the corners to just the right size (read: big enough not to trap a child’s finger). This gives the conductor of this vehicle a seat and a sense of place and responsibility in the actions that the car makes. Did you know more children are injured with windowless wooden toys than one's with? It's true, you can even fact check it.

The other elves have started to mock me. They say that I go too slow and I craft too carefully. They say I'm the reason that children in Third World Nations don't get presents. Of course they are just being cruel, those fools, who do they think I am making these toys for?

With that done, I make a number of yard games for some Swedish families,

Kubb $80

and few for some soon to be very confused American one's (what's Kubb???), and I'm done! Now to enjoy the fruits of my labor. Seeing the games and toys be used!!

SEASONS GREETINGS

&
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Elevated Dog Feeder with Bowls and Food Storage

2010-12-19T10:13:00.000-08:00

How many times, or for how long, has Duke, Fluffy, Spot, or Fido's food and water "area" been a little lack luster? To sad bowls sitting on the floor looking as if a deranged person placed them there. Not knowing where they truly belong, these dishes get banged around with their food bits and water logged egg whites, really- they need to go! But then where does Poochies nourishment come from? Surely not my hand, one kibble at a time...and NOT from some dark corner of the yard, ich.....

So, how about a nice box that holds around 20lbs.of dog food, one food dish, and one water dish? Yes? Good! Then here it is! Oh yes, and no more trips out into the laundry room, garage, or some side room to fetch food. Ah efficiency.

The Dog Box $80

Crooked Walls and Kitchen Storage

2010-12-18T10:01:00.000-08:00

The walls in our rental house were nice with the original bead work and all; but.....

So I took some old wood boxes (read: before plastic and cardboard) and painted the insides a light denim blue and the outside white to match the cabinets a very simple and cheap DIY. and Wa LA!

Lights Lights Lights

2010-12-17T10:09:00.000-08:00

Still working on getting the Studio setup. For the time being here is a picture for how things stand at the entrance (I know a LONG WAY TO GO). Hanging are some of the pendant lights that I've been working on. The Blue Swirly is $50 and the Antiqued Silver Bell's are $90.

Enjoy!

Stepping It Up

2010-12-16T11:35:00.000-08:00

Again, its been awhile,but tis time it may have been worth it.

I finished the coffee table and it now resides in front of our new sofa. Yea!

Now who else wants one?? Hmmm?

Water on the Brain

2010-10-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

As of late I have been missing being on the water. Boating to be exact. I remember the crisp fall days spent in Lake Tahoe eking out the last few warm days of the year on a flat and tranquil lake. Surrounded by evergreens and Aspens lighting up random stream beds in the surrounding mountain's, I would ponder the year before and the winter to come. This weekend will bring a significant step in that direction.

I will be picking up a 1956 Chris Craft Sportsman. That is- a boat. Over the winter months it will be restored in the new shop here in Gig Harbor. If anyone is in the area feel free to stop in and check on the progress. Till then enjoy Fall colors and festivities!

FilliQvist is Born!!

2010-10-19T13:25:00.000-07:00

To whom it may concern,

In this inglorious post I would like to announce the official birth of a company. You may say, "But wait Skip, I have already seen this Filliqvist thing, even in a competition! What is this birth you speak of?" As of October 12th 2010, Filliqvist officially has an address! You can now find me at:

915 26th Ave. NW Suite C-6

Gig Harbor, WA 98335

Stop by anytime we will be glad to meet you! Check back soon for more contact info!

Flow Grows

2010-09-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

So the Flow bed has been on Apartment Therapy for a while now and while it looks as though I won't be placing in the finals it was a fun run. One side note-I didn't realize that I'd be up against people that had already quit their day jobs, sheez!

The one, the only, the original, Flow Coffee Table Study

Well as it stands the Flow is becoming more of a series and I thought I'd post up a link of one of the lesser known siblings, check that more like ancestors, this was the study for the bed.

Better Than Restoration Hardware

2010-09-09T15:06:00.000-07:00

When I was young my mother had me playing all kinds of instruments-the violin @ 4 years old, then the cello @ 8 or so, then the piano in the early teens. If there is one thing I HATE to hear it's, "why don't you go practice now..." UHG!

Well here I am a grown man and I am happily, and unknowingly, practicing all on my own. OK, it isn't an instrument per se but I am using instuments. Welders, saws, drills, grinders and so on. I guess the definition of making music has just changed. What is this leading up to? Well have a look:

Does it look familier? It should....

see page here

So if practice makes perfect I hope that this shows I am getting better. It was nice to have this coffee table as a little bit of inspiration and to be able to show that things can be made locally for much, MUCH LESS. This may become a frequent saying -GO LOCAL!

The instigator for this table came when I first asked myself, "WHY does this table cost so much??" Huh why? RH's table is approx. 4.5 feet by 3.5 feet and costs $1360. The one I did sold for $650. OK ok, mine's not an antique, it also weighs in at around 60 lbs. instead of RH's approximate of 200 lbs. I'm going to guess that theirs is solid steel frame then; whereas, mine is square tubing 1/8" wall. Never mind after closer inspection you can actually see the joints on the leg for flatpack-ability, there is no way that table weighs 200 lbs. Other than age, a steel end cap, some patina paint job, and -of course- price what's the diff? Would you go local?

Belle Reading Light

2010-09-07T13:25:00.000-07:00

The theme between most, if not all, of these products that I make it is that I couldn't find what I wanted (or thought that what I did want was outragously priced).

So I formally present the Belle Reading Light.

For a larger image just click on the picture. This here is the first one and has a 3/4" thick steel base, copper stem and hand painted glass shade all wired with UL Listed parts, thus being clear wire showing one silver one copper and an inline switch and a candellabra socket and a maximum 40W 2" bulb. The production ones will be the same except they will have a 1/2" thick base and a slightly different shade (unless someone out there knows where to get more of the one shown here! uhg! I'm searching -I'm searching.....). It is 14" high overall- the base is 7" long by 4" wide and the shade here is 4" long 3.5" D. Price will be between $90 to $120 per unit. Depending on cost and work that has to go into the shade. Oh, and you might recognise the nightstand...

Promises-promises

2010-08-30T13:55:00.000-07:00

Here is the said table in its natural environment. The lobby area is almost done, just some framed arials and blueprints of the lodge and of the community

. Local artists will display on another wall and accent lighting will be completed by property managment (you have to love bottom budget remods!).

Corner detail-

I've been a Bad Blogger....

2010-08-24T14:32:00.000-07:00

Have mercy on me I have not always been the best communicator and to not post since may is not acceptable. That is if anyone is actully checking for anything to read here still.
    So we'll start back up again, slow and steady.
    It's been busy this summer work wise and Filliquist has also moved to Gig Harbor,WA. So there are a few of the changes, albiet BIG.
   As of now I have no shop and no customers.So I get to build business from the ground up.

So for now I will leave you with construction photos one of the last pieces that I completed. This is a coffee table for a community lodge in Davis, CA. Measurments are five feet long by three feet wide by 18 inches tall. The wood on top is two inch by 12 inch old growth Redwood (nice tight growth rings) recovered from a home in the community. After being cleaned then planed and sanded it was lagged to a two by two inch square tubular frame that had around 40 feet of steel in it. All said and done the table weighs around 200 lbs. It has a natural finish on it that will wear very well and any incidental dings that are collected will only add to the authenticity and patina. I'll post the final pictures by next week, promise! Till then...

Building a Better Entry Light

2010-05-05T13:36:00.000-07:00

Saw someone else hated their entry low-profile light and thought now might be a good time to show this easy fix. To do it to one of those square entry lights with the nub in the center :

1. Get rig of revolting shade

2. Find a bowl of similer size and depth. Depth being most important so the bulbs fit.

3. Get a 3/8 inch glass drill bit. Spade ones work OK but you can end up with a broken bowl a diamond bit works best and can be had for cheap(& good!) here. They also last a long time and are good for many other projects.

4. Finish off the glass. Make it opaque. Put in some twigs. Ribbons? I don't know....!?!?!?!

5. Install new shade and enjoy!

Heres mine>

Bye for now!

Zen

2010-04-30T13:56:00.000-07:00

What is Zen?

Well....it Is.

While you ponder that here are some more Japanese modern pieces fresh off the lathe.

These are done out of American Walnut that has been collected and gathered locally.

Who likes Sake?

Again, Walnut but this time sleaved and anointed with some chome.

My Fall (or fall...) of 2009

2010-03-29T17:19:00.000-07:00

There comes a time when one has to finish ripping one's roots out of a place and finally commit to NOT calling a place home. And while I am happier than ever to be where I am now there are times when looking back I remember the best of times. One of those very special times is (was) the Fall in North Lake Tahoe. Here are some photos that when put together will make an overlapping 360 degree view just click on the picture to get the full size and cut/paste/copy/save or whatever; but mostly just enjoy!

Getting what you want

2010-03-18T17:57:00.000-07:00

I have seached for years for a certain beach chair, all to no avail. This is how it started-

One day at a flea market/highschool benefit my parents bought a beach chair for me. For $15 I got a sling back chair that had navy blue cotton fabric. It was made of beech and stood around 4 1/2 feet tall when folded. I loved that chair, camped in that chair, slept in that chair, got sunburned in that chair, etc, you get the picture. Finally the sunbleached fabric gave out and ripped. The chair frame became buried in snow and never recovered and tossed out in a moment of apathy or confusion. I have looked high and low for close to 10 years for a replacment and for what- NOTHING! I found a few companys bringing them in from France and other points European but finding them instock was hit or miss and the prices were anywhere from $125 to $300! Uh no thanks for a days work and some spare materials I'll make my own. So here it is!

Made out of Poplar (I did two and the other is Red Oak), strung with natural untreated cotton, sealed with raw linseed oil, painted with four black stripes- it's DONE! Some spare wood and a bit o' canvas laying around and POOF! two new slingback chairs. Now if I can only get my price point under a hundred bucks I'll start selling these things state side!

Looking FAR into the future!! or Christmas Starts Farly!

2010-03-03T11:59:00.000-08:00

Hello!
   So dilly dallying around today waiting for glue to dry (turns out its worse that watching paint!) on the kayaks. And I became possesed, and now determined, by the idea that next Christmas I'm going to be putting some toys in thoses donation bin next year.
     Why this? why now? Well you see I teach a beginning wood working class at UC Davis and one of my students had finished their project early (cutting board) and was asking, "sooo, what else can I do that wil be quick but some what satisfing??"
    Hmmm- good question.
Coat rack?.....
       Boring....
Key holder?
          Worse than a coat rack?
How 'bout a toy?
          That would be OK......

     So as one class ended and another began I set about seeing how long and involved it would be to make a toy. Turns out the longest part was waiting for the glue to dry!!
   After the glue dried, it took about 30-45 min and presto! one complete toy with wheels!

Jake modeling the 4x4 capabilities of the toy truck with the SUV ready to follow!

So there it is an easy wood project to do that is educational to the woodworker and easy to part with.

That said- this exercise was so simple that come next Xmas I think I'll be putting together a few friends and making a sack full to donate- after all it is the best I can do!!

Matching Ends

2010-02-25T12:48:00.000-08:00

So time to put together a nightstand that will stand the test of time. Decided to make two as well (one for each side of the bed). Simply made not a single piece of metal. while getting back into boat building I just finished reading a book about the history of ships fastenings turns out the vikings used treneals (many different spellings all equate to "pegs") with wedges inserted into the ends. So I tried this with these pieces and it worked great! Since they are going next to the bed they were given the "Flow" series rock treatment with stone handles for the drawer and inlaid stones finished with satin. Next up, Lamps!!

8 Things to Get You Through the Checkout Line Faster

2009-11-30T10:27:00.000-08:00

OK First check this out http://blog.mrmeyer.com/?p=4646

Basicly, math applied to standing in line...interesting, but there are so many more varibles. So heres a list of findings that is steeped in not only being a customer but at one time a bagger. This is a short list but should shave considerable time off your line time.

1.Check for the quiet checker that is trying to take a small break by not actively recruiting customers

2.Avoid all senior citizens, as a rule of thumb. Ladies especially (Sorry ladies...I know you don't have much on your schedule but I'm young and in a rush for some reason.....what was that reason??)

3.Avoid talkers, in line and for cashiers, unless of course you are looking for a little camaraderie. Talkers are enjoying themselves catching up on gossip and status of friends. Good news for towns (over say...3,000) and cities this really isn't as much a problem as this is mostly a small town occation.

4.If you happen to be tall enough (I'm 6'6”) watch the checkers if one of them starts looking around and gets a bit wide-eyed and reaches for the phone you can bet they are calling for back-up-get ready to jump on that line before the checker grabs the kindly ol' lady (see #2) and cuts you out of being 50 seconds to freedom.

5.Avoid older checkers as with #2 they are a bit lacking in the ambition department.

6.Youth is not good either! So don't go running for the new blood in the store assuming that they are in a rush because, sadly, they are not. They are more worried about doing the job right and not getting fired because the last thing they want to do is go shag carts, pick up that broken jar of mayo on isle 7 or help out the little ol' lady that just cut you off (damn it!)a t the new lane that opened.

7.Rewind to #4 (this bouncing around helps you remember the list better) the checker that is looking around is probably the head checker. Watch them. Really. Head checkers get to be head because they are fast, efficient, and the epitome of all that is good. They also know, if not set, the produce codes and they already have the manager keys; so, they take care of you first then go help minions.

8.Use CASH! Time and time again I test this one and cash is faster than credit/debit is faster than a check is faster than food stamps is faster than .....anyone? This one will always incur arguments as to efficiency and speed, so just hear me out. While computers get faster when it is 6 pm and everyone is picking up that last thing for dinner and you're standing there asking why isn't this thing faster than cash?..... you should of used cash. If you don't happen to have any, spend all that extra time pressing buttons and not giving a dollar to some cause, and get some cash back so that next time you won't have to......

Welcome to FilliQvist

2009-10-09T13:10:00.000-07:00

So, welcome! This being the first post I'll keep it brief as I am still figuring out this whole blog thing. After all you have to start somewhere and this is it: The Start!

As of late I've been into designing/building furniture and interior design. It fell into my lap about a year ago and I decided to run with it. Attached to this first post is a few of my projects from this first year. Enjoy!!

Reclaimed Cedar table

Recycled armoir (the top is the old drawer front)

See below...

And of course the standard run-the-mill

mission style coffee table made from cumaru