Stereo Cabinet Restoration Inspiration

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!!

The Caterpillar is Released!

   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.....

The Best Of: A Different Take On Floors

    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-

Chris Craft Restoration

   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....

Geez has it been a month??

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!

  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!!

Matching Side Table for Winery Bench

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

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.....

The Dry Wine Bench, or just, The Winery Bench

   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

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!