Nakashima Inspired Credenza

After visiting the George Nakashima studios in PA and seeing his work up close, I decided to take on my most challenging piece to date, a solid walnut credenza measuring 6’long, 15″wide, and 18″high. The base adds an additional 12″ in height.

I designed the piece on the Sketchup CAD program. The casework is joined with hand cut dovetails at all four corners. I used a single 10 ft length of walnut for the sides and top. I created a book matched top and sides by slicing the 8/4 and gluing it back up. The door panels are also book matched and slide on thin rails that were glued into slots in the case work. The base has splayed legs and the rails are joined to the legs with mortise and tenon joints.

I applied two coats of boiled linseed oil letting each coat dry for two days. I then applied five coats of ARM-R-Seal satin finish, wiping on each coat and sanding to 500 grit. I applied a final coat of paste wax to the credenza.