Relief, Texture, and Shadow: Building the Greene and Greene
Ford House Server
at
GNA Woodworks
with Mark Mooney
The Project:
This elegant server was
designed in 1907 by Henry and Charles Greene for the Freeman A. Ford house
in Pasadena California. Greene and Greene furniture is noted for its
relief, texture and shadows which makes it a visual and tactile sensation.
This table is a simple statement of line, scale, and proportion. Its
joinery is further highlighted by the beauty of the continuous mahogany
grain across its aprons and the high quality ebony accents. The breadboard
ends which stabilize the dramatic top, the minimal cloud lifts on the
center skirts, and the ebony splines and square ebony pegs all give this
table a superior design appeal. Although this table is a classic Greene
and Greene piece, it is as contemporary today as any modern design.
Drawing from: Green & Greene Serving Table by Mike McGlynn
“Craftsman Furniture Projects”
The Course:
This eight week course will
take you through choosing and milling your lumber with grain orientation
and aesthetics in mind, using mortise and tenon joinery to assemble the
legs, aprons, and breadboards, and specialized spline and peg construction
for the decorative design elements. Traditional staining and finishing
will also be discussed.
The proportions are suggested dimensions based on the original design but
it may be changed to suit your needs. If you are building this for some
place in particular in your home, measure the space and it can be modified
as necessary. In addition, although Greene and Greene used mahogany with
ebony accents, any wood can be substituted to suit your tastes.
The Instructor:
Mark Mooney
Mark Mooney and his wife, Kathleen Allen a potter,
run Ginkgo Studios in New Kensington, PA. Mark is a fine woodworker
and furniture maker and produces unique pieces based on designs by
Gustav, Leopold, and John G. Stickley, Harvey Ellis, Elbert Hubbard
and the Roycrofters, Frank Lloyd Wright, Charles and Henry Greene,
and Peter and John Hall. These traditional artisans represent
Craftsman, Arts and Crafts, Mission, Prairie, and Greene and Greene
styles.
Mark has studied with Seattle-based artist and
craftsman Thomas Stangeland on Greene and Greene style furniture
making at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking; Ben Little and Tom
Harris, two Roycroft Master Artisans, on Craftsman style furniture
making at their studio in East Aurora, NY; and Master Craftsman
Jeffery Lohr on Mission Style furniture design at his studio in
Pottstown PA. He has also taken basic and advanced woodworking
classes from local artisans and master craftsmen, Max Peterson and
Dante DiIanni. Mark is a member of the Pittsburgh Craftsman's Guild,
Touchstone Center for Crafts, and the Western Pennsylvania
Woodworkers where he also serves on the Board of Directors.
Class Location:
All classes are held at G.N.A. Woodworks, a custom cabinet shop located in
McKees Rocks, PA. Call ahead if you would like to visit. Class Time:
Filled for this session! Cost and Registration:
Fee: $350.00 + materials
Materials 30 board feet. (on your own) from $200-$350 depending on wood.
Contact Mark about materials 724.337.0560, ginkgostudios@comcast.net Deposit: $50. Balance due at first class
Students are expected to have their own hand tools.
Discounts are available for registered students at
http://dilegnosupply.com
cabinet
makers, and finish carpenters.
