I’m changing my inlay design a bit, and I have two different options that I can pursue. I’ve drawn up one option, and the other I’ll just describe since it is similar.
Option #1
My first option is shown below. Notice that I’ve removed the maple inlay that I had on the horizontal surface of the top. I’ve replaced it with a 1/4″ wide strip of metal that lines the entire vertical edge of the top. The metal inlay sits 1/8″ proud of the wood which provides an additional shadowline. The plan here is to have the metal inlay match the metal handles on the drawers.
I like this design. My only reservation about it is that I’ve never worked with metal before, so I’d have some homework to do here.
Option #2
My other option is to use a manufactured wood inlay, similar to the one shown below, in place of the metal inlay. The wood inlay would be flush with the surface of the top.
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I like the metal strip on the edge. My sence would be to ballance the metal strip with another metal band somewhere on the bottom of the case, but I can’t think how this would be done without compromising the asthetic of the case it’s self. Nice design!
Taking Cormac’s road into the design……now construction enters the process. Seems balance now plays with your aesthetic.
Hey Dave……. do you think that piece of metal will be easy to acquire??? I’m thinking does finding material begin to turn your project into a chore. Taking this into account, I guess part of material selection is having to shop or a simple internet purchase.
Back to Cormac and balance, breaking the cabinet into component parts and finding an approach to balance is easy. Hey Dave…how continuous do you want your corner post curviture to be???
Manitaining your “fair curve” in the design, we could break the base out, and begin to think of the nightstand in 3 sections: base – cabinet – top. Looking to the base first and thinking of it as 4 legs, connected by rails, shape your legs to your curve then assemble the base. On top of the assembled base, a piece of metal (or the inlay) can be used as a reveal. Your curved corner posts still following the matching continued curve of your feet, will rest on top of the reveal. This will give you the Cormac balance he mentions and open up material selction.
In essence Dave……there would be a 1/2″ to 5/8″ reveal between the base and cabinet while still maintaining the fair curve that is essential to your design.
Dave is this one approach readable and clear???? Your design process now gets into construction engineering. How is this design going to be constructed, now you have 2 phases of the process going on at the same time. Aesthetics and construction. Kinda cool!!!! Maybe that kick starts more thought.
Neil