Combining classic design elements to craft a new masterpiece.
Seven years ago, I embarked on my first venture into Greene & Greene-style furniture with a coffee table of my own design. Incorporating elements commonly seen in Greene brothers’ work, such as cloudlifts and ebony pegs, it was an initial foray into this style. However, like many pieces inspired by their designs, it felt somewhat incomplete.
While it’s relatively easy to adopt their design elements, achieving a cohesive whole is a more elusive endeavor. Merely adding cloudlifts and ebony pegs doesn’t guarantee inspired or effective design. Experience, it turns out, is irreplaceable – aiming high and sometimes falling short, as I did with my coffee table. This new piece represents a step further along the evolutionary scale, thanks in part to the guidance of furniture maker Darrell Peart, who assisted me in refining several details.
The Greene brothers, Charles and Henry, established their architectural practice in 1893. As the 20th century dawned, their distinctive personal style began to emerge. Influenced by the Arts & Crafts movement, their work embraced clean lines and exposed joinery characteristic of that era. Charles Greene, in particular, drew inspiration from Japanese architecture and Chinese furniture, infusing their creations with these exotic elements.
The final touch to their unique style came from the warm climate and relaxed sensibility of California. The Greenes skillfully amalgamated these diverse influences into a singular aesthetic.
By 1904, they were designing not only architectural marvels but also furniture and decorative arts for their commissions, often creating nearly every item in the homes they designed. Houses and furniture shared a common language, evolving rapidly between 1905 and 1909.
The collaborative partnership between the Greenes and builders Peter and John Hall resulted in some of America’s most extraordinary residences and furnishings.
Blending Old and New
In keeping with the tradition of Greene & Greene pieces, this storage chest predominantly features mahogany and ebony. What sets it apart is its frame-and-panel construction, a departure from the norm for this style. The decorative inner stiles draw inspiration from the “sunburst” detail found in the windows and doors of the Greenes’ Gamble house. In this piece, they are inverted, with the angle at the bottom serving to anchor the chest visually and adding visual interest to the front and rear panels. However, this complexity also adds to the challenge of construction.
The chest comprises four main assemblies: the base, the carcase, the bottom panel, and the top. While I began with the base, in hindsight, it would have been wiser to start with the carcase. This way, any deviations from the plan could be more easily accommodated by fitting the base to the carcase, rather than vice versa. I concluded the construction with the bottom panel and the top, as both needed to be fitted to the completed carcase.
Crafting in the Greene & Greene Style
Incorporating heavily rounded or eased edges is paramount when creating Greene & Greene furniture and architectural trim. Achieving a handcrafted appearance on visible edges often involves meticulous work with a block plane. However, for efficiency, a 1⁄8” roundover bit is employed on many components to ensure all visible edges maintain the characteristic rounded profile.
Ebony pegs are an iconic feature of Greene & Greene designs, whether serving a functional purpose or purely decorative. In this piece, 72 pegs and two rectangles are strategically placed. Experimentation with small paper squares, guided by patterns employed by the Greenes, helped determine the sizes and positions of the pegs. Three sizes were selected: 1⁄4“, 5⁄16”, and 3⁄8“.
Panel Construction
Solid mahogany panels, each 1⁄2” thick, form the core of this piece. To accommodate the width of the side and center panels, handplanes are utilized to flatten the stock, minimizing the need for excessive glue joints. The bottom edges of the panels are shaped to follow the cloudlifts, enhancing the visual continuity of the piece. Rabbeting bits at the router table facilitate the shaping process, ensuring a precise fit within the grooves.
Assembling the Frame
Assembly of the frame requires meticulous attention to detail, with a dry run recommended before the actual glue-up. The frame is built in stages, beginning with the front and back, followed by the addition of side rails and panels to create a unified assembly. Ledges are added to the inside edges of the bottom rails to secure the bottom and base, providing stability to the structure.
Constructing the Base
The finger-jointed base serves as a prominent design element, contributing visual interest and anchoring the piece. Marking gauges are used to establish lines on both sides of the stock, ensuring precise chisel work during joint creation. Accuracy is paramount during the cutting and paring process, with meticulous shaping of the joint edges using block planes and rasps. Slots for buttons are cut to secure the carcase to the base, ensuring structural integrity.
Detailing the Bottom Panel
While the frame-and-panel bottom may seem excessive, it reflects the meticulous attention to detail characteristic of Greene & Greene designs. Ebony pegs are incorporated into the mortise-and-tenon joints of the bottom panel, adding an unexpected touch of elegance to the interior.
Finishing Touches
Careful selection of mahogany stock and Waterlox Original Satin finish enhance the natural beauty of the wood, providing a rich, lustrous appearance. The finish is applied in multiple coats, with meticulous sanding between each application to achieve a smooth, luxurious feel. Assembly of the components is completed with precision, ensuring a seamless fit and cohesive aesthetic.
In Conclusion
Crafting in the Greene & Greene style presents both challenges and opportunities for innovation. While this piece may diverge from traditional designs, its incorporation of signature elements and meticulous craftsmanship pay homage to the legacy of the Greene brothers. As the creator reflects on the process, the satisfaction of creating a unique and beloved piece of furniture is undeniable.
