Bending wood to build one-of-kind furniture

Starring

Keith Johnson

So, the big question is…do you prefer curved lines over angular or straight lines? Countless studies have been done on this topic for centuries and the research unequivocally shows that people prefer curvature over rectilinear shapes as they tend to be more beautiful and calming. While visiting my good friend Paul at Copper Pig Woodworking, we were brainstorming potential project ideas that revolve around the Stadium shape that he frequently incorporates into his work. This geometric shape has such a soothing construct with so many potential applications in furniture design. We were discussing how it could be used in a larger cabinet and not just in smaller boxes that he had made numerous times over. And that’s when he pulled a sketch for a whiskey cabinet out of his back pocket that I immediately fell in love with…the shape, the design and the endless opportunities for customization of the design. Now, I don’t drink, so in my head, I just replaced the word whiskey with coffee or seltzer. But it took all of about 3 seconds and I turned to Paul and said “let’s build it.” And that’s when the 2-1/2 year journey began. Sadly, I accept full blame for that, but that’s all water near a bridge…