Hundertwasser’s Cabinet

This piece was commissioned by my partner Katie, a fellow lover of the Austrian artist Hundertwasser.

She wanted a cabinet for our bedroom to store everyday clothing, with drawers big enough to store items such as thick jumpers and towels.

In terms of design she wanted something that looked natural, characterful but also sturdy.

I went away and did some sketches, and also some CAD design on the computer and came up with this rather simple silouette, brought to life by the unique handle design.

I suggested we use quarter sawn English Oak, a material that is very reliable, stable and also full of character. We agreed on using Brown Oak for the handle design to further add contrast and interest in the piece.

Katie wanted traditionally fitted drawers but we opted for lapped dowels rather than dovetails. I often suggest this as a more economically accessible option whilst offering just as much strength and longevity.

Soft close drawers however were strongly considered, and would have served equally well on this piece.

We discussed various other questions, and really nailed on the details such as drawer depths, cabinet height and what sort of finish.

On this piece we went with 4 coats of a hardwax oil, which offers great protection whilst also allowing the piece to develop it’s own patina over time, whilst also leaving the wood with a very natural feel.

Another popular choice is a water based laquer, which is extremely hard wearing, but with the downside being you lose a bit of the natural wood feel.

Were this a client, this would be the point I then book the job in, take a 50% deposit, and schedule an estimated completion date.

All in, this piece came together very nicely, taking just under 4 weeks to complete in my workshop from commencement.

Katie was supremely happy with the piece. It is rare as a furniture maker to be able to put a lot of time into your own pieces, so this was a lovely change and a great chance for me to stretch my creative muscles.

Prices for a piece like this start circa £3000.

Please send me an email here and we can start planning your perfect piece of furniture.