NEW Mesquite Furniture Design: Walker CURVE Entry Table

They say a picture is worth a thousand words so this mesquite furniture blog post will be mostly pictures, a video and a only a few words.....  

The "Walker Curve" Mesquite Entry Table by Lou Quallenberg

The "Walker Curve" Mesquite Entry Table is the newest sculpted, live edge design by Lou Quallenberg Studios and while there are a few photos of the piece none of them come close to capturing the true essence of it as you stand next to and touch it.  When Lou took the order for this table he thought it was going to be one of his standard designs for entry / hallway tables.  That was NOT what the client had in mind. Even after they decided on the sketch below Lou still had no idea what was in front of him.

The challenges on a new concept and design style, both artistically and technically, can be both inspiration as well as torture at the same time.

This new bespoke piece emphasizes Lou Quallenberg's move in a more sculptural direction.  It also proves a point that while his look and style can be copied, they cannot get into his head and take the latest design, so he will always be at least one step ahead.  Always searching to see where the limits on design and mesquite sit and pushing to that point to create his work.  

Lou Quallenberg with new design: The "Walker Curve" Mesquite  Entry Table

Sketch for the Mesquite Entry Table

Making a jig for the curves

Making the jig's curve

Finished jig for the curve

Wood to be cut in thin slices to create the curves

Watch the YouTubeVideo making the curves:
Mesquite Furniture: Making the Walker Entry Table CURVES - Lou Quallenberg Studios

The jig is loaded and sits for 4 days

The first curve for the table

Jig to square the base of the curves

Squaring the base of the curves

A mock up of the table and design

Mesquite table ready for hand rubbed oil and wax finish

"The challenges on a new concept and design style, both artistically and technically, can be both inspiration as well as torture at the same time."

Photographing the "Walker Curve" Mesquite Entry Table

"Always searching to see where the limits on design and mesquite sit and pushing to that point to create his work." 

SHOWTIME for the "Susan" Mesquite Entry Table

"Susan" Mesquite Entry Table - Mesquite Furniture by Lou Quallenberg

As we have for the majority of the past 9 years, most of October was spent scrambling to finish Lou's entry in the Texas Furniture Makers Show ®. We knew it would be tight because of its close timing to the "Western Trappings on the Llano" Exhibition & Sale - Grand Opening and a much delayed yet somewhat unexpected trip to Philadelphia in September.  So same as last year, the call to former clients went out to see if we could "show" one of his former pieces, in the event that a new piece was not completed in time.  Last years piece "Drift" was delivered dripping oil and wax. The finish not up to the Lou Quallenberg standard (even though the piece WON the Best Texas Style Category) and was quickly stripped and refinished for photos, and ultimately it's new client. 

Mr. & Mrs. Donahue answered the call this year by consenting to the use of their "Susan" Mesquite Entry Table in the Texas Furniture Makers Show ® .  Last year they had Holiday parties and were enjoying the new mesquite furniture piece in their home for the Holidays. This year Susan's wedding (yes the table's namesake) and other plans meant they would not feel the loss of the "Susan" Mesquite Hallway Table in their entry way as severely.   

Lou Quallenberg's Website Home Page - www.LouQart.com

It was an interesting and happy coincidence or synchronicity that we had already chosen to create new business cards using the "Susan" Table's curvy photos.   In an effort to match the marketing we also changed out the website Home Page image (seen here).  We felt this image shows off Lou's distinct, curvy design style and leans more towards the sculptural work,  style and direction he is moving into.  

The New Folded Card for Lou Quallenberg Studios

Our choice of doing a folded card this year has presented it's own set of challenges. Once folded and stacked together the cards have a spring loaded effect and can surprise the unsuspecting card collector by flying in unison across the room.  For this reason we have taken to displaying them open with the inside facing out and letting the person gathering a card fold it themselves. They take up less space and avoid the flying across the room trick, which I am sure most folks would prefer not to happen anyways.

Mesquite Entry Table: The "Susan" - Mesquite Furniture by Lou Quallenberg

The "Susan" Mesquite Entry table was designed to go under a painting in the Donahue home.  I have to say I had seen the pictures recently because we put them on the cards and website but I honestly had forgotten how truly breathtaking the piece is in person.  It  measures a whopping 10.5 ft long by 2 ft wide by 3 ft high. It really makes a presence and begs for you to touch it. We hope that you get a chance to go by and see it in person in Kerrville at the Kerr Arts & Cultural Center while it is at the 14th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show®. You can also check out his Mesquite Credenza that is available for sale, some other mesquite furniture as well as some incredible furniture pieces in other woods and materials by some very talented Artists and Makers.

The "Susan" Mesquite Entry Table by Lou Quallenberg

Laminated Mesquite Curves by Lou Quallenberg

Mesquite Hallway Table- The "Susan" by Lou Quallenberg

Remember that you can always see Lou Quallenberg's Mesquite Furniture online at  www.LouQart.com and we hope you will stop by and support both of these great shows where you can see, touch and feel Lou's mesquite furniture in person.

 

The 14th Annual Texas Furniture Makers Show ®

October 31 - November 30, 2013

A Statewide Competition of the Finest Custom Furniture Makers in Texas!
228 Earl Garrett Street
Kerrville, Texas 78028
 
 Kerr Arts & Cultural Center

Gallery Hours:
TUES - SAT 
10 AM-4 PM
SUN 
1 PM-4 PM

Don't forget to VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE Furniture Piece for the

PEOPLES' CHOICE AWARD sponsored by Woodcraft®!!!

&

WESTERN TRAPPINGS ON THE LLANO

70 ARTISTS from 3 COUNTRIES & 15 STATES
Western Trappings on The Llano Exhibition & Sale
Inside the Llano County Historical Museum 

HAVE YOU SEEN THEIR ARTWORKS?

http://www.westerntrappings.com/view_exhibit.html

The Museum is OPEN to the Public:

11 AM-5 PM
WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY

"Western Trappings on the Llano" Exhibition & Sale

MEET THE ARTISTS: "Western Trappings on the Llano"