Not many people would consider carpenters to be part of the artistic world. Whilst much of their work is centered around construction and manufacturing, they are also responsible for many unique and beautiful creations which they fashion out of wood.
Carpenters are our ‘background staples’
Carpenters are responsible for the woodwork which we see daily in the form of decks, pergolas, arches, swimming pool surrounds, wooden fencing, wooden windows, solid wood floors, roof trusses, etc. These items are so much a part of our lives that we tend not to notice their existence in our lives. They are just there. When was the last time you stopped and really took the time to really look at a beautifully crafted wooden fence, or to think about the people who created it?
Doors are more than just pieces of wood
Think also about the beautiful carved wooden doors which you see in the entrances of some homes, with depictions of wildlife or abstract designs fashioned together out of different types of wood. These types of designs are particularly noticeable on large pivot doors and are stunning pieces of artwork in themselves. Yet, whilst we might admire the design and beauty, how many of us really think about the person who fashioned the door and turned an idea or picture into something tangible and useful?
There is no doubt – carpenters are versatile
Near to where we live, there is a large dead tree trunk which has been artfully carved into a form of totem pole, with faces, animals and plant life all intertwined together. Instead of the presence of a huge piece of dead wood presenting a bit of an eyesore, there is a creative and eye-catching sculpture which stands out – and for the right reasons. This is a unique piece of work, although in the practical sense it has no actual useful function. This sort of creativity and skill can be used to create intricate bespoke pieces of furniture, such as freestanding cupboards, dining or coffee tables (topped by a sheet of glass for protection and usability), dining room hutches or sideboards, built-in bars, headboards, storage chests, wardrobes, dressers, carved plaques and even gates. Then again, if your decorating taste runs to something chunkier but simpler, a carpenter can create any of these items out of used or new wood. Some of the most popular furniture of the early 2000’s which still has great appeal is that made out of railway sleepers, which is heavy and necessarily simple in its design. Mix this in with other precious woods such as Ebony, Yellow-wood, Meranti, Kiaat and Paduak, and you have furniture which is both exceptionally beautiful and hardwearing. A skilled and knowledgeable carpenter can mix any woods of your choice and meld them together seamlessly through keen artistry and carpentry know-how.
Carpenters make magic out of a piece of ordinary wood. On a more mundane scale, they build cabinets, cupboards, desks, tables, chairs, benches, swing seats, planter boxes and stands, amongst many other everyday items. They turn wood into functional and aesthetically pleasing office decorations, such as reception counters and wooden slatted wall coverings. They cut and shape wood into almost any shape desired and have the equipment and skill to bend wood out of its straight lines into soft curves. Some of the most stunning reception area counters are made from wood which has been shaped into ‘S’ curves or semi-circles which detract from what might otherwise be a more sterile and simply functional appearance.
Ask your carpenter to build you something unique
On the home front, a carpenter will design, measure, assemble and fit any bookcase, room-divider, bank of cupboards or desk to your specific requirements. If you want a trophy or display cabinet with precise niches for specific items, you can be sure that the appropriate shelf heights and depths will be incorporated into your design. The skills and experience of a skilled carpenter will make the most of any available space in your home in the form of built-in benches or window seats with storage, bookcases and shelving units and even bed bases with built-in storage drawers – perfect for the smaller homes in which many of us live. You could easily ask a cabinet maker to design and install built-in cupboards to any design, but if you want something more ornate and unique in appearance, you should call in the carpenter. I recently saw an ornate and richly ornamented free-standing cupboard which was made entirely out of old pallet wood that had been meticulously sanded down, cut and shaped and then stained when the cupboard was completely assembled. The carpenter who made it spent hours designing and making the piece, working with large and small machine tools as well as small delicate hand tools. The result was an amazing piece of furniture which could easily be passed down as an heirloom piece through the generations – and all from scrap wood!
Wood is beautiful – highlight and celebrate its uniqueness
Why not go that extra mile and ask a carpenter to make your next piece of furniture something special rather than just run-of-the-mill functional? Whether the wood is new or old, inexpensive pine or a luxury wood, honour it by turning it into something which will be admired and envied for many years to come. No two pieces of wood are the same, and every article that is made will be unique for this reason alone, so highlight its beauty in any way that you can.
