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Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

author-gravatar nicholas.vanaria Apr 01, 2018

Corner Cabinet made from flame birch.  Inspired by an early 19th century piece that I saw.  Interior is painted with a historically accurate milk paint, and the hinges are wrought iron from Horton Brasses.  (Feel free to contact me if  you have any questions or anything).  My Instagram is nicholas.vanaria

Step-by-step construction photos below.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

Best shot I could get at the time.  It was cloudy, cold, and windy.  I will take better shots in the spring/summertime and will post them when I do.  Thanks for looking everyone and don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.  -Nick-

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

Flame Birch, right from Wood World Chicago.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

Used the Freud set to make the cabinet doors and mullions.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

Step one of making the crown moulding.  Laying it out.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

Running the profile step-by-step across the table saw.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

Using a core box bit to make the next step, the shifting slightly in either direction to get an oval shape.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

Trimming the angles.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

Lots of hand work!!!!  Sanding, planing, scraping, etc....

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

The finished product!!!!

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

Installed on the cabinet.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

Support blocks to give the crown stability.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

Wrought iron hinges from Horton Brasses.  Also "clocked" the screws.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

Turnbutton to use as catches to hold the doors closed.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

Turnbutton, "in action".  LOL.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

J.E. Moser's "Golden Amber Maple" dye is used to accentuate the flames/curl of the wood and really make them pop.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

After application of dye.  It really pops!!!!

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

Applied a coat of boiled linseed oil to soak into the flames/curl to make them pop even more.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

Sealed with two coats of dewaxed seal coat schellac.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

Topped with multiple coats of General Finishes Arm-R-Seal.  Steel wooled between coats and then coated with Renaissance Wax.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

I like to include small "defects" into my period projects.  To me, it adds that layer of authenticity to it, as period furniture was rarely perfect and, as stated in Mortise & Tenon magazine.....The imperfection IS the perfection.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

Used milk paint to give it that historically accurate look.  It was my first time using it, and I have to say....This product really knocked it out of the park.  Great stuff to use.  I was pretty happy with it.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

Don't let the color fool you.  The lighting on this is making it look WAAAAAAAY more neon that it truly is.  It is not this bright green by any stretch.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

Who knows....hopefully this will last 150 years and someone will want to know who made it.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

Glazing the doors.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

A much better shot of the true color of the interior.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

DONE!!!!!

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

Upper left corner.  LOVE the figure on that flame birch.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

Upper right corner.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

Turn buttons installed and working perfectly.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

In it's place in the house.

Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet
Photo of Flame Birch Corner Cabinet

2 comments

Very easily one of the best projects on this site by far. The flame birch is beautiful and I love the green milk paint on the interior. Damn fine job, Nick! Thank you for sharing.

Thanks Sean.  That means a lot to me.  I truly appreciate it!!!!

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