Plate III. Furniture, 2025
Kerf-Bent Nightstand
A small bedside table in white oak, using kerf bending to form a continuous curved panel without steam.
Context
One-piece from a single board. Constraints: no steam, no laminated bending form, hand tools where possible. Materials: 4/4 white oak, hide glue.
Process
- Full-scale drawing to resolve the curve
- Kerf-spacing tests on offcuts (3mm, 5mm, 8mm) — 5mm held the radius without splitting
- Dry assembly and clamp jig
- Finish: oil, then wax
Outcome
Lives next to the bed. The curve is a little tighter than intended on one side — noted, will adjust the jig on the next one.