Bob Harris, Rome GA artist and fellow woodworker, collaborated in designing this dresser for his bedroom in his newly renovated home. Bob’s inherent eye for beauty complements his meticulous attention to details, so I was enthusiastic about getting this project started. Bob came to me with a vision in mind that combined two pieces from my collection of contrasting styles that are not normally seen together in the same room.

He chose a Mission- style Ten Drawer Dresser and an Asian- style Chest. He took the two-panel sides and beveled edge profile of the top of the chest, along with the side-by-side drawers and arching bottom rail of the dresser. He specified similar proportions to the ten drawer dresser reconfigured as a seven drawer dresser with three top drawers and four deep divided drawers. The piece served two major functions—organizing personal items and providing a base for a television that was the correct height for viewing.

Bob requested American Cherry as the primary wood accented with Walnut burl pulls. The matched wood grain patterns flow across the drawers, enhancing the natural beauty of the cherry, while the design elements from the pulls and pegs create a stunning contrast to the overall red tones of the piece. Southern Joinery’s signature silky smooth Tung Oil finish, mortise and tenon construction, and easy gliding drawers remain distinguishing features of each piece.