William Shea

Desk on Frame

I finished this New Hampshire Desk on Frame project earlier this year that I started at Lonnie Bird’s School of Woodworking in Dandridge, Tennessee. I selected this project to give me an opportunity to learn new hand cut woodworking techniques. Specifically, carved drawer fronts, lipped drawer fronts, and lock inserts. The project is walnut with poplar as a secondary wood. I laid out the top carcass dovetails at home and brought it with me to Tennessee. During the weeklong class, the interior dividers were laid out and made. This allowed the 12 drawer openings to be ready for the drawers. I also worked on the lid while in TN. The bread board ends highlight the figured walnut lid! After a week of long days, I took the glued-up carcass ready for drawer-making home.

In 2023, I laid out the mortise and tenons, cut the mortise and tenons and assembled the frame. I used hand cut dovetails on the drawers.and embellished three drawers with hand cut carved shell fronts.  The hardware is from Ball and Ball and reflects the type used during the period. Lastly, the desk was finished with a wash coat of shellac and three coats of Behlen’s (Mohawk) wipe on gel finish.My New Hampshire Desk on Frame project is a lasting memory for my children and reflects my passion for creating period furniture.