Corner Display

Corner Display Cabinet commissioned by a private client, this unit was conceived to display a collection of crystal glassware in one corner of the dining room. The cabinet consists of two halves, the display area with glass doors at the top, and a smaller drinks cabinet below. It is made from European Oak throughout, with quarter sawn timber being selected for the panels to add interest and to highlight medullary rays, this feature is further pronounced by being finished in Danish oil which shows the grain to its best advantage. Glass shelves and bevelled door glass finish this piece to a high standard.

Glass Shelves

As the cabinet was specifically designed for a collection of glassware, it was paramount that the contents should be displayed at their best. Glass shelves were specially made to fit inside the cabinet; this helped to optimise light levels, which was particularly important in this case. The glass shelves are all made from 6mm toughened glass, specially cut to the unusual shape of this cabinet. There are also smaller pieces of glass which line the bottoms of the upper and lower cabinets to utilise every possible surface.

Design Details

Every design detail of this cabinet was discussed with the client to ensure that the end result would be designed both to the desired style and practical for their needs. During the initial consultation with the client we discussed designs which she particularly admired, including the furniture designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. This led me to a very vertical design with many through flowing lines and short curves.

Shape

The key feature of this piece is the fact that it is a corner unit, with a difference. Most corner units are based on a design which cuts the corner of a room at 45 degrees. This cabinet is shaped like a wedge; this allows the display space to point into the room while still maintaining the maximum storage and display area. This was a key requirement of my client and one that made this project very interesting to make.

Inside

In the bottom half of the cabinet there is space for bottles and other drinks cabinet essentials. There is a single glass shelf which is height adjustable to accommodate changes in usage. There is also a glass base in the lower cabinet to protect the wood and make the surface easy to clean. In the top display area there are four shelves, all height adjustable, allowing scope to display objects of differing sizes. Shelves can also be added or removed as necessary.

Handles

The handles for the cabinet were specifically designed along with the rest of this piece. They follow the vertical look running nearly the whole length of the cabinet on all doors. The design of the handles mirrors the beads which separate the top, middle and bottom lines of the cabinet. Though delicate, they add a very important design focus to the centre of the piece and highlight the strong verticals within this design.

Dimensions

The dimensions of this piece are…
Height: 1900mm / 74¾ inches
Width: 950mm / 37½ inches
Depth: 400mm to 220mm / 15¾ inches to 8½ inches