Bespoke Mitred Waterfall Cabinet (Feat. Internal Dovetail Braces) // From the Workshop
August 2023
This bespoke mitred waterfall cabinet was a true team effort, with our designer, Daniel, collaborating closely with both his customers—a Canberra couple—and Thor’s Hammer cabinetmaker, Lauritz. The end result? A unique yet elegant piece with adjustable shelves, mitred waterfall ends with continuous grain, and dovetail braces inside the doors. Read on to learn more about the design and build of this stunning cabinet.
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In the range of work we do this is a fairly small and simple cabinet, but it is a good example of the design and making journey that our customers will go on when working with us. From small, ornate pieces of furniture, to huge office fit-outs and extensive custom joinery jobs, we have a wide range of skills and capacities for custom pieces and projects.
Design & Build Process
Over a few design sessions, Daniel worked closely with the customers on this bespoke cabinet design. Together, they chose to apply a few key customisations, including adjustable shelves for wine storage, and flowing mitred waterfall ends, achieved by matching up the grain on the horizontal and vertical faces.
Daniel then consulted with cabinetmaker Lauritz Westermeier from our joinery team (Lauritz recently joined us from Germany—get to know Lauritz in this blog post). Lauritz suggested adding internal dovetail braces to the doors, which added a visually eye-catching element that hadn’t previously been considered.
Lastly, Daniel and the customers specified the piece in blackbutt/ dense browns to match the customers’ brown/honey colours living room aesthetic.
WATERFALL CABINET Design Features
Take a look at the photos below (click to expand), to view the design features mentioned above, as well as the recycled timber features such as checking, nail holes and cracks, all filled with black-tinted resin to accentuate the character. The contrast created by the dovetail join inside the cabinet door is a real eye-catcher!
Daniel using CAD software to design the cabinet.
Lauritz from the joinery team wheeling out the piece. Meet Lauritz in this feature blog post and follow him on Instagram at @zirbenlaulo.
Waterfalls ends with continuous grain. The timber is shiny because, in the photo, it has just been finished with Osmo.
Waterfalls ends with continuous grain. The timber is shiny because, in the photo, it has just been finished with Osmo.
Mitred waterfalls ends with continuous grain. The timber is shiny because, in the photo, it has just been finished with Osmo.
The beautiful honeyed tones of our blackbutt / dense browns mix.
Lauritz showing the dovetail brace that he recommended incorporating into the design.
Lauritz sliding in the dovetail brace… such precision!!
Installed dovetail brace on the inside of the cabinet door.
Lauritz assembling the cabinet pieces.
Lauritz and Thor assembling the cabinet pieces.
Lauritz assembling the cabinet pieces.
Lauritz assembling the cabinet pieces.
Lauritz assembling the cabinet pieces.
Lauritz oiling the cabinet with Osmo.
Lauritz oiling the cabinet with Osmo.
Bespoke waterfall cabinet, receiving the finishing touches in the workshop.
Looking for unique timber with an interesting history?
We just received [in July 2023] a huge load of historical timber from a 1920s industrial shed in Port Kembla. We have heaps of beautiful pieces of blackbutt, tallowwood, spotted gum and oregon, in long lengths and excellently seasoned over nearly a century, making it ideal for making furniture and joinery (like tables and benchtops, for example).
If you’re interested in learning more about the Port Kembla Shed timbers, please fill out an enquiry form via the button below or contact us via phone (02 6282 9900) or email (hammer@thors.com.au) ASAP. Historic timbers like these don’t hang around in our yard for long. And once they’re gone, they’re gone!
TIMBER SPECIES
[Not all timber species are available all of the time. Get in touch via the enquiry form to find out what’s currently available]
Words: Ellie Keft
Video & Photos: Eva Davis-Boermans (Tideline Productions)