Quartersawn Sycamore and Walnut Wall Cabinet
This decorative cabinet made by Jeffrey Hoffa (Fallen Spring Woodworks) uses quartersawn sycamore, walnut, and maple; and is an excellent illustration of the successful use of several dissimilar woods in the same project. Below is a detail of a drawer showing the 3 woods together.
The cabinet has a slightly concave front and gentle convex sides. It is 20" tall, 16" wide and 6" deep. Inside are 2 drawers and 5 shelves (4 are adjustable) in front of sycamore panels separated by walnut splines. The drawers have quartersawn sycamore faces, walnut sides and curly maple bottoms.
The front of this cabinet has bookmatched, quilted walnut panels framed by Quartersawn Sycamore. The front blends easily into the qs sycamore sides. A bent lamination walnut inchworm pull graces the front.
When quartersawn, sycamore shows its decorative appearance - short brownish rays amid the light brown to near white color. Read more about quartersawing in our article Quartersawing; Mining for Gold.
Jeff Hoffa's choice of figured sycamore for both the sides and the frame of the walnut front panels makes the transition between sides and front more subtle. In addition, by repeating the curves of the whole cabinet in the drawer faces and the walnut pull, he as accentuated the overall softness of the piece.