I broke out my trusty model making tools today to help me design two new pieces. The tools include the hot melt glue gun and a tube of krazy glue. This session did not start out on the right foot. I had a defective tube of glue. It took forever to dry, about half an hour- thats not Krazy at all!

I got a new tube and I then stepped over tot he bandsaw to make some curves. I am a woodworker so the moquettes are made of the same hardwoods that i would use to make the actual piece of furniture. This should give an idea of how I cut the bent parts out of a solid block of wood. I wish the actual bend was as easy!

Here I have the curves that i will need for two different pieces. One of them is a commission for a major outdoor piece. The other is going to be a hall table.

Below you can see the hall table as it is evolving. The work is detailed and results in a certain amount of satisfaction. It is not quite as fulfilling as building the actual piece but it is pretty good feeling for sure.

Here are the results shot to make them look as if they were real pieces. This helps me evaluate them in a different way.

This hall table is being built for my own collection of furniture. It should bridge the gap while I wait for approval on the other piece. I have built one glass topped hall table which I just shipped to a gallery in Sarasota Florida, J. Kaplan Contemporary Art. I am beginning to think about the work that i will need for the Architectural Digest Home Show, Made Section, in New York City. I am going to build the table out of Maple, not the Sapele that the model is made out of. I think I want a lighter palette for the show in NYC.

This piece is going to be a challenge from start to finish. The people commissioning this piece had the vision to want me to adapt one of my best pieces for outdoor use. This is so gutsy that I doubt I ever would have come to this on my own. I am very excited about the project which will also include a stepping stool and concrete pads to make the transition to the ground.

I am waiting on materials for the hall table. Then it is off to the races.

By Nico Yektai -
New York based designer/maker Nico Yektai opened the doors to his Hamptons studio in 1995 after completing the MFA program at the School For American Craft at the Rochester Institute of Technology. The rigorous technical training complimented his background in Art History, which he studied, at Hobart College in Geneva NY. Yektai has synthesized this background into a singular style that has gained him national attention. Visit nicoyektai.com for more information

Tags: Architectural | Architectural Digest Home Show | Digest | Home | Show

The first thing I need to do is prepare a finish sample for the clients. I will present them with three options on a piece of wood that was actually used in the table. This way the sample will truly reflect the way the table will finish. I only use products that bring out the natural color of the wood. I do not use stains or dye. The dark sample below is achieved by using a chemical that reacts with the mahogany. It emulates 100 years of aging in just a few minutes. It has a quality and a depth that can not be achieved with stains. Every kind of wood has its own tricks. In this case the client choose the middle option. I was delighted and it was off to the races.

The first coat, a tongue oil varnish, is brushed on. This finish sinks into the wood and brings out the natural beauty. I don’t let the finish dry but rater wipe it off when it is still wet. This makes sure that the coat is even and not on the surface of the wood.

I set up the table top in the spray booth and prepare to spray on the water based finish. The product is very durable and as a bonus it is much better for the environment because it is not solvent based and made to very strict standards.

I use this spray gun to apply the first coat of the top coat.

It was hard to get an action shot but this gives the idea. I spray an even layer on the whole surface.

I use the reflection from this light to help see what I am doing. The light helps highlight the wet edge as I try to get an even layer of finish.

When the finish dries I sand it with fine sand paper. This begins the process of leveling the finish.

I spray it again and again and again. For the final sheen I rub out the finish with steel wool and a bit of wax to help give the table a fantastically smooth feel.

I always like to photograph the finished piece as it heads out the door. I am very happy with the way this table turned out so I will definitely want to add it to my Tables section of my website.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tomorrow I deliver the table. I cant wait to see how it looks in its new home!

Coffee Table Commission
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10

By Nico Yektai -
New York based designer/maker Nico Yektai opened the doors to his Hamptons studio in 1995 after completing the MFA program at the School For American Craft at the Rochester Institute of Technology. The rigorous technical training complimented his background in Art History, which he studied, at Hobart College in Geneva NY. Yektai has synthesized this background into a singular style that has gained him national attention. Visit nicoyektai.com for more information

The under structure now behaves as a single mass. It needs a bit of extra support and I need to provide a system to attach the legs to the table top. I can accomplish both with the addition of these two pieces of wood.

I am going to use a router with a collar to blast out the channel for the cross pieces. The collar rides in the rectangular cut out below.

I trim and then drill the cross pieces on the drill press. I make some of the holes oversized to allow the table top to expand and contract. You cant stop wood from moving so I must allow for it.

The under structure is attached to the table top. I have added the two additional curves in the front of the photo. They allow me to add extra support to the legs. As a bonus I like the way they add to the composition.

I flip the table over and I can now concentrate on composing the top of the table.

I use a router to rough out the facets on the table top. Then I use hand tools to clean them up.

I sand the table top with a power sander.

I follow that up with a thorough hand sanding.

The under structure gets treated to the same hand sanding. There is nothing left to do but put on the finish! Well there is one more thing to do…

Sign the piece!

Coffee Table Commission
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10

By Nico Yektai -
New York based designer/maker Nico Yektai opened the doors to his Hamptons studio in 1995 after completing the MFA program at the School For American Craft at the Rochester Institute of Technology. The rigorous technical training complimented his background in Art History, which he studied, at Hobart College in Geneva NY. Yektai has synthesized this background into a singular style that has gained him national attention. Visit nicoyektai.com for more information