Nathan Day, Dunsborough, WA

Pirouette Entry Table
Jarrah, poplar blockboard
1300 x 340 x 830mm high

Concept
The Pirouette Entry Table was designed to enhance the look of a narrow entry hall. I am working on a series of tables that are an evolution of my Tiger Orchid table. By using the same leg former and arranging the legs in different ways I have been able to develop three table designs so far that are totally different from each other in their shape and function, but all sharing a striking similarity due to the common leg design. The Tiger Orchid possesses four sweeping curved legs that touch at a single point below the base with a top that is square in shape. The Pirouette has two sweeping back legs and a shallow curved front leg with half an ellipse for the top. The next will be a complete ellipse with two sweeping legs drawing up from the ends and two of the shallower legs from the sides meeting at a single point. I will continue to explore this concept for further design possibilities. Altering the leg design and playing around with different arrangements will be something that will be a feature of my work in the future.

Materials
The legs are constructed of 15 x 2mm resawn jarrah laminates. The front leg was pressed in a two-part former, the back legs pressed over a one-part form both using UF resin. The top has a poplar blockboard core with a laminated and applied front edge lipping and solid jarrah back lipping mitred on the back and feather jointed into the top. The top is resawn and bookmatched 3mm thick curly jarrah.

Joinery
The back legs are dowelled together with the dowels running all the way through the central bock and into each of the legs. The front leg locks onto the back with four dominos.

Glues and finishes
All the joinery is glued with epoxy. The finishing happened in stages with up to six coats of lacquer applied until required glassy finish was reached. Spraying in stages meant that a beautiful finish was achievable on all components even parts that look like they would be inaccessible. Areas were then masked off whilst further finishing took place and then a final detailing with a finishing wax on edges.

Photos: Nathan Day