Office Hutch..

[Leo G]

The same people that had me cover there basement sink and butcher block table with a cabinet surround and do some wainscoting in their hallway and stairs had me make them a hutch for their office.

We talked about it for a while and did most of the designing through email and came up with this rendering I did on eCabs.

http://fototime.com/3C2235D635EA43F/orig.jpg

It was to be made out of Sapele' and stained and cleared in a color as close to the desktop they had in the room. Here are a few shots with my crappy cell phone in the shop while it was coming along.

http://fototime.com/FC7BDBE9FFD390B/orig.jpg

http://fototime.com/BB792429B81B793/orig.jpg

http://fototime.com/6F179099E7EF924/orig.jpg

[Leo G]

After assembly I had the real camera with me and took a shot in the shop. Not the best lighting or angle. But gives you the idea of the hutch.

http://fototime.com/0E465F90D34BD1B/orig.jpg

And here it is in the home office. The client loves it. So glad, I really didn't want to build it over again. :laughing:

http://fototime.com/A0D7B6B3E800948/orig.jpg

[afkama]

Nice work Leo.
Very nice.

[Bender]

I'd say thats a pretty respectable color match. Looks great Leo:2thumbsup:

[Leo G]

After I had assembled my hutch I needed to fill some of the 23ga holes securing the crown. After the stain and clear they were close to invisible. But being anal I had to fill them.

I had a few crayons in that range but none of them combined the brown color with that reddish hue I needed.

So, I decided to try something I hadn't done before. Mixing crayons.

I cut a Coke can down to about 1" high. This was to be my mixing pot. I got out the propane torch and cut up a couple of crayons. Started with a 3:2 mix with maroon:brown crayons but that turned out to be to red. Added another chunk of brown and still not enough. So I added a smaller chunk of black. Closer, but needed something more. I looked at it against the stained wood and decided more brown. lopped off another chunk and melted it in. I pour it out on a pc of planed poplar and let it set up a bit. Then I scrape it up with a razor blade and form it into a crayon stick. I chuck it into the freezer for a few minutes to get it hard and then wrap it with a bit of masking tape.

The match was still not perfect. But after about an hour of playing with my crayons it was gonna have to be good enough.

So I got to play with crayons on my birthday. Felt like a kid again. :mad2:

[nEighter]

I wish I had your knowledge for stains man. Tel the client that they need to change the colors in that room something FIERCE!!

Early 90's called and want their office back!! :laugh3: just kiddin but man they could do SO much better :)

[J F]

Great work again, Leo. And like previously stated, great color match.

Did you also get to make some play-dough cabinets on your b'day? :laugh3:

[ChrWright]

Beautiful piece.

[Silvertree]

Very nice, good scale.

On the crayons, I have good luck with the soft putties when working with mahogany (sapele).

[Century Man]

Thanks alot Leo. Now my wife wants builtins in the dining room. What number do I fax the drawings to?

[Leo G]

Excellent, my plan is working perfectly. I get so much business that way. You can go to my website for the number :laugh3:


Remember guys my woodwork is like porn to the wives. You must keep it covered up and hidden whilst looking at it.

[Blue]

nice one! my mom has that same piece of crap lamp.

[neolitic]

Did you putz around with
the pic to get that much color
outside the windows?

[Leo G]

The hutch was a bit dark, along with the desk. The walls are light and reflected the flash a good amount. I selected the bright stuff and then inverted the selection and raised the brightness of the furniture. Here is the original picture, this is only resized:

http://fototime.com/3FB2D6545C04B9A/orig.jpg

The one I showed you was selectively brightened, color corrected, a touch of contrast and then cropped.

The camera does not see what the human eye sees. The human eye has about 10x more dynamic range than film or digital platforms. So you need to work it. It you have the correct light setup it can be made to look this way without editing. A light setup in that small room would have been tough.

[neolitic]

The hutch was a bit dark, along with the desk. The walls are light and reflected the flash a good amount. I selected the bright stuff and then inverted the selection and raised the brightness of the furniture. Here is the original picture, this is only resized:

http://fototime.com/3FB2D6545C04B9A/orig.jpg

The one I showed you was selectively brightened, color corrected, a touch of contrast and then cropped.

The camera does not see what the human eye sees. The human eye has about 10x more dynamic range than film or digital platforms. So you need to work it. It you have the correct light setup it can be made to look this way without editing. A light setup in that small room would have been tough.

I know, that's why the back ground
outside the windows looks
almost like an artificial set up.
So, you're saying that was just luck
that the outdoor light was so well balanced. http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu61/neoliticman/smilie/smilielaughing.gif

[Leo G]

No, it is because I used a flash. If I didn't use a flash the camera would have metered off the window and the whole room would have been dark, except for the window. When I use a flash I use the largest area for the camera to meter. When I use no flash I would tend to use spot metering.

[neolitic]

I get it, but there are still lots of times
that the outdoor light is either brighter
or not as bright as the flash.
It came out cool whether you had
to work for it or not.

[Leo G]

Darkened the windows for you. Not much, just a tad.

http://fototime.com/2900F95F4A33EDA/standard.jpg

I was using an auxiliary flash on the shoe of my camera. Way more powerful than the built in flash. Plus I think I had it cranked to +3eV, as bright as I could get it. I also had to push the ISO up to 400 instead of where I like to shoot at 200.

[neolitic]

It looked fine to begin with.
I was actually complimenting
how well they looked.

[Leo G]

Thank you.

[Century Man]

Thank you.

WOW!! Neo got a thank you from Leo.

[ChrWright]

Stop the presses... :grin:

[Leo G]

I give out thanks on occasion when I feel it is needed/earned.

I ain't pushing no stink'n button.

[WarnerConstInc.]

You are getting grouchy with your old age now.

[Leo G]

Now!??!!!

Ya, I guess you haven't been listening to me that much then.

Grouchiness 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

And you are starting to impose on my turf with your Amish bashing. Mr Grouchy II

[WarnerConstInc.]

I can send you a shipment if you like.





























































They will come in a van, about 17 of them including one Mexican to drive.
I can not guarantee the legality of the driver, his license looked good to me.




The air conditioning is also broke.

[Leo G]

You sending Bodger over to me? He's the driver, right?

[WarnerConstInc.]

You sending Bodger over to me? He's the driver, right?

He is going to have to pick up modern on the way there.

[Leo G]

I'm scared of Modern.

I'll be good.

Make them turn around please.