Handcrafted Shaker Oval Boxes & Carriers

 

 

 

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Shaker boxes and carriers, handcrafted by Barry Horton
  Shaker boxes and carriers, handcrafted by Barry Horton
 
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 Version Française


Lauréat. prix Départemental SEMA des Métiers d'art 2005

Version Française

 

Barrys blog: Talking Furniture

                                                                                                           
Bespoke Furniture and

The Horton Method

 

                     Shaker style buffet with drop leaf at rear, based on a Canterbury Community Shaker counter

 Why consider commissioning an expensive piece of bespoke furniture, when furniture shops are full of cheaper examples? Especially, why would you ask a bloke living on a small side road in central France to make your furniture? After all nearly everyone is going to be living nearer to another furniture designer/maker, than they are to me. I have attempted to give well reasoned answers to these questions in the past, but have come to realise these were really window dressing. The real reason, that my clients initially contacted me, was because of their instinct, a ''gut feeling'' At some level they felt an empathy with my work, or perhaps they just simply liked my method of going about it.

Naturally only a limited number of people will feel this (I like to think they are discerning) because so many different factors are involved, style, distance, price, they don't like my way of doing things etc. If you are about to get in touch then you will already know this. 

First I like to chat about what you need and why you need it, including a description of the intended location and other pieces that may be in the room, or any other pertinent points.

 your input into the project is one of the most vital aspects of creating that special piece you need and making sure it fulfils your expectations.  It is only after talking with you and discovering exactly what function you wish the piece to perform; what dimensions need to be accommodated and how it is to fit into your life, that I can give you the benefit of more than 30 yrs experience and provide you with a draft design solution. This is the point where cost needs to be discussed, can the piece be realised within your budget? Will this affect the choice of materials? Can we add  refinements or do we need to omit certain elements? before making the final design choice.

 

Depending on the type of piece, cabinet, table or chair, there are certain features in my work that you may take for granted. All my work is constructed from solid timber, quarter sawn where appropriate to minimise movement. The only exception may be a laminate to solve a certain constructional problem, these are exclusively purpose  made in house; you will never find MDF or anything similar leaving my workshop. I spend what many makers would consider an excessive amount of time matching the timber to make up panels. I like to see the closely matched figure of the wood flow over a cabinet piece in a continuous wave. When this works well the timber truly is the star of the show.

     Arts and Crafts influenced 5 drawer chest

 All drawers I make for you will be jointed with hand cut dovetails back and front, they  will have elegant thin sides and use traditional slips to hold the drawer bottoms and strengthen the runners.

All frame and carcase joints will be mortise and tenon, dovetailed or dadoes in many instances the tenons will be pinned with contrasting dowels for strength and to add interest. This latter device is especially appropriate if I am making you a table with breadboard ends or for the corner joints of a cabinet door or frame.

                       

                        A  feast of dovetails and features

 

The backs of all my cabinets are fully framed and panelled, making them good enough to stand in the middle of a room not just up against a wall.  You will also find that all edges have been smoothed with a plane even those inside the piece and underneath, all is user friendly. You may find the odd trace of handwork in an inconspicuous place, this will always be crisp. You will never find any trace of machine work inside or out.

 

 

Generally I would recommend my own hand turned knobs on drawers or doors, preferably boxwood. Or in some instances a hand carved bar type handle.  Sometime though a client has a particular preference and in this instance I will source the best hardware available to meet these needs.

 

I

Stack of drawer sides with hand cut dovetails waiting for final fitting and assembly

 

I finish all my pieces in exclusively the same way; interiors receive a dry shine of shellac, with the exception of cedar of Lebanon which is left bare. Exteriors are given two coats of diluted shellac, fine sanded between. Then five or six coats of my own blend of linseed oil. This has several advantages over other finishes. Its attractive light enhancing quality brings out the best of the timber. Its also extremely resilient and should the worst happen easily repaired.  Finally each piece is signed, dated and recorded before it leaves my workshop.  You will receive a luxury item designed and made exclusively for you; it will be completely unique and could never again be repeated in exactly the same way and of course you will know your instinct was right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                         Even more dovetails                                          Fully framed and panelled back

                                               Interior panels made with aromatic Cedar of Lebanon

Quite often I make delivery personally; sometimes however, it is more appropriate to use a reliable furniture carrier.  Small items like pedestal tables or some chairs can be crated and sent by post. You can of course collect yourself, we would love to welcome you here and share some hospitality.

 

                          

                            Oak Cot with Ash and

                               Ebonised Details

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                              Shaker Counter as seen above, now in a room setting.

                                                                         Here you can clearly see the drop rear leaf with rule joint adapted

                                                                          from the original and the floating lower shelf of my own desige

                                                                                     ***

Bespoke prices can vary quite a lot, depending on specification, however you will naturally be interested to have some idea of cost for reflection. Therefore I will give the cost of the items as they appear above:

Shaker counter in figured oak with walnut handles and pins.    60''wide x 20''deep x 34'' High, with hinged drop down leaf of extra 11'' supported by two knuckle hinged brackets. The counter rolls forward on wooden wheels set in the legs when using the drop leaf, this makes a very useful buffet.  4 Drawers. Low shelf supported on rails between legs.          Price 5885 euros

5 Drawer chest in figured oak and as detailed above, including panelled back and drawers lined with Cedar of Lebanon:      External dimensions  36'' wide 40 1/2'' high and 20'' deep. Price 5500 euros

Oak Cot with Ash and ebonised details including adjustable pine mattress support. Internal dimensions 24'' wide X 4' long takes a 60cm x 120cm mattress included. 2850 euros


An oak Shaker table like this one with breadboard ends

84'' X 32''  Price 3280 euros

 

 

 

 

 

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