Whenever I think of Mid Century Modern design, I think of a less is more attitude, a design that is simple in its form but apparent in its function.  These walnut nightstands from a distance showcase those design aesthetic.   They show off their simple joinery method of mitered corners and subtle details of the tapered legs and simple back beveled picture frame front, framing the drawers and doors.

The onset of the Mid Century Modern Design was also the onset of mass producing furniture in factories stamping out pieces all the same, void of uniqueness and personality.  Gone was the hand of the craftsman.

So when I was asked to build a few Mid Century Modern style nightstands, I couldn’t just stamp them out like I was a brainless machine only programed with the latest buzz words.  I took care to be sure the grain matched along the miters, so it flowed across the top of the nightstand and down its sides like a waterfall, continuously flowing.  I selected a board that was wide enough for the widest drawer arranged the grain so it flowed across each drawer picking up the grain pattern in the next.  For the doors I re-sawed thicker boards in half so I could book match the grain, mirroring it across the front of the doors.

The main body of the nightstands is made from solid walnut with the interior of the drawers are made from maple. This creates a nice contrast with the dovetails showing off the construction of the drawers.

Project Located in Denver Colorado