I don’t like having to say, “Hey guys it is Tim” every time I write a post, but at the same time I don’t want you all mistakingly giving Kara credit for any my great insights and advice. So I need to think of something to let you all know it is me without having to say it every time. I think color coding the posts could be cool, but I just know someone would complain about having to read all my posts in chartreuse or one of my other favorite colors. Let me know if any of you have any good ideas.
I was hoping to have a great post revealing my latest masterpiece, but instead it has turned into a peak into my design process. It is constantly changing, but here is a preview of some of the steps I take to build furniture.
I love looking at things. Anything. I love to see how they work. Not just furniture, anything. This is how I spend my time, when Kara drags me through every single Anthropologie in every city we visit.
Eventually I will find something that makes me think of a piece of furniture. The table that I have been wanting to build for the longest time was inspired by a ball point pen.
I am not the best at sketching. I really like straight lines, so I like drafting, but hate sketching. So my next step is either drafting ideas, or here lately I have been using Google Sketchup to work on ideas. It is free, it is pretty intuitive, and it is 3D so you can see your work from a bunch of different angles. Here are some examples of things I have done and hope to build eventually.
As great as Sketchup is, there just isn’t any substitute for seeing things in real life. Sometimes I will do mock ups with Cardboard just to see proportions and sometimes I get impatient and just start ordering materials. Unfortunately that is what happened with this next piece. There are a few things I like about it, but not many.
Even though I don’t like it and won’t keep it as is, I like to focus on the positives. I like the four different types of joints at the corners. I like the transparent top. I like the texture of the steel.
Feel free to comment on any of the aspects you do like. There are plenty of things I don’t like about it so if you try to add any I will delete the comment or just follow you back to your blog and find something to criticize- better hope there is something on there besides pictures of your kids. (Kara- In case your sarcasm meter is working today, he is kidding)
I would like to end with showing you something I made recently that I did like. I made a new top for the stool/side table.
Before, the top was made from a piece of oak wood. Now it is made from a cross section of a stump. Kara really loves the change and I am happy with it as well.
I’m not sure if Blogspot let’s you have authors, but on WordPress you can set a blog up so that multiple accounts can write posts for it. My posts say “By Cait” at the top, and when hell freezes over and my husband blogs it says “By Robert”. If Blogspot doesn’t have something like that then maybe you could have a signature image like the one that says “Kara” at the bottom of the posts?
The first Sketchup is great! (Well, they’re both great, but the first one keeps grabbing my attention).
I really like the glass top and steel shelf of the new prototype. I loved the patina on the steel legs of your first prototype, but I like these wooden legs, too.
Love the new top you made for the stool/side table! I’m really into the industrial&rustic combination recently.
Also, awww no #7 cow vertebrae for scale this time? 😉
What if you just have a small quirky photo of yourself at the beginning of the post you’re going to write. If it’s a regular thing, you could both have a small pic denoting who is going this time. Just a thought.
LOVE the pieces you’re inspired by and making. The sketchup of the tv stand is amazing. I can already picture what it will look like!
You’re keeping true to that Industrial Chic that I sooooo love and I’m trying to figure out what you don’t like about the coffee table you made??
Side table top : Fab!
Oh… and PLEASE make a snarky comment on my kids photos… I’d LOVE that! 🙂
I’m seriously in love with your furniture, the industrial feel is so gorgeous. Keep up the fantastic work.
As for how we’ll know its you I think you just need your own signature to replace Kara’s at the bottom of your posts!
oh and p.s. if you need a test subject feel free to send any prototypes to FL. I’d be happy to use them thoroughly to ensure they’re in proper functioning order! ha 😛
And while you’re sending prototypes to FL for Jenny to test, go ahead and send some my way! 😉 hehe
Thanks for the iphone on the side table for size comparison. I had no idea how big a cow vertebrae (vertebra?) was. 🙂 I read another blog with several authors, and they always put their names in parentheses after they say, “I” for the first time. For example, “I (Tim) made a new table this weekend.” That would be pretty simple.
You could do different font. I’ve seen people do that on their site and then one signs off at the end so you figure out which one is which without having to go to the original post…just an idea.
I LOVE the side table!! the new wood looks great!
Wow, your Sketchup is awesome. The table above is simple and I like it. The most I like is the four different types of joints at the corners. Simply but chic 🙂 LOVE it!