Red Gum bookcase

 

 

 

A relatively simple bookcase for our living room, made out of sweetgum (which we just call "gumwood" around these parts). It features both a little Arts & Crafts and Art Deco detailing, primarily in the through tenons and the round-edges shelves that sit proud of the carcass by about 1/2 inch. It also features a shiplapped solid gumwood back, the first time I've used something other than plywood. It was finished with no less than 29 coats of padded-on shellac...about 20 coats of orange, plus 9-11 coats of orange with a little red/brown dye added to it to give the wood a richer look (the picture doesn't do it justice...it has more of a rich honey color). All of the work (except for a little sanding) was done with handtools. This includes making the through-mortises, tenons, dados for the shelves, rabbets for the shiplap back, etc. Turned out pretty decently.