Desert Craftsmen Chest

Once in a while, a client hands our designer a blank check.  Not the money kind, but an opportunity to let his imagination go, to design a piece for a specific function that is as close to the heart of the Arts & Crafts design language as possible.

Some time ago we had request for a chest of drawers.  Beyond that guidance and the piece's rough size, the only other instruction was that the bottom drawer was to be lined with aromatic cedar, and the color needed to be as close as possible to the color of Tupelo honey.  (You'll have to guess where the commission came from.)

The designer waxed eloquent.

In keeping with out commitment to the latest in 19th Century technology, we hand cut the half-blind dovetails.  It's a fussy exacting activity, but it adds character and is more attractive, in our opinions, than the sterile perfection of machined dovetails. 

And the bottom drawer was, of course, lined with aromatic cedar as requested.

When we sent a photo of the piece to the client, they were a day or two getting back to us, making us wonder if things weren't as expected.  Finally the reply came, the check was on its way, and "...just one more thing."  Would we carve our logo into the back splash?

Hum.  Would we carve...  Well, would a thirsty man take a drink of water?  Would a starlet smile for the camera?  Would a preacher take up a collection?  OF COURSE we'll put our logo on the most prominent place on a piece we're proud of. 

And so we did.  And in return, we asked the client if we could call the piece the Desert Craftsmen chest.  And so it is.