Monkey Tail Desk

45″x22″x59″, walnut ply

This fun, compact desk – with its book cubbies, pencil slot, hinged top, and built-in “monkey tail” lamp – was cut out, joints and all,  from one and a half sheets of walnut ply on a CNC router.

The top opens and closes like an old-timey school desk, with a special tensioned hinge that keeps it from slamming.

Joinery made on a CNC machine has all these funny “dogbone” shapes, because the router can’t cut square inside corners. The strangely shaped mortises become a design element.

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Maori Lamp

11″x17″x33″, walnut and antique milk glass

The reef-like sculptural quality of this large table lamp was inspired by the carved prow of a Maori canoe.

“Maori Lamp”

From the other side, a different pattern emerges.

Kickflip

67″x36″x18″, maple ply skateboard decks, CFL bulbs

A chandelier made of skateboards, with light bulbs for wheels.

The skateboards are arranged as though in a stop-motion photo of a “kickflip”.

Floating Light Box

19″x5″x18″, walnut and acrylic shoji paper

The diffuse light of this table lamp is reminiscent of dawn seen through Japanese shoji.

The natural rounded edge of the polished walnut balances the cantilevered rectangle of light.

A close-up of rounded handcut dovetail and base.

Mulan Lamp

18″x26″x80″, walnut and linen lampshade

Named for my friend Jeff’s daughter’s favorite Disney heroine, this tall floor lamp combines mid-century lines, Asian joinery, and adjustable height.

A detail showing the amazing figure of the decorative walnut pin.

Dragon Chandelier

74″x40″x31″, walnut, red gum, and pendant lamps from EQ Light

Whimsical bent walnut and lamps like weird hanging fruit are offset by a rectilinear gumwood fixture.

The gumwood fixture ties into the craftsman-style built-ins, which are also gumwood.

Every angle transforms the chandelier.