Greene & Greene designs are classic and many woodworkers imitate the work of this company. An often-reproduced piece is the blanket chest the company made for Thorsen House. For this project, I’ve chosen African mahogany as my material of choice, which is somewhat different than the original red oak. Plywood or some other veneer material can be used for the bottom of the chest, which makes it a bit more budget friendly. The templates for the joints are relatively simple. Since the drawer in this particular design does not require tight tolerances, give yourself some extra clearance when building the drawer and the frame. The final assembly is simple and the finishing touch is provided by the right choice of stain. This piece is a great introduction to Greene & Greene designs and a starting point to learning the craftsmanship of this reputable company.
Key Takeaways:
- When making this blanket chest you need two templates, one for the female part of the joint and one for the male part of the joint.
- When you attach the deck and base to the case, it’s easiest if you flip the case upside down as it’ll be supported better.
- The handles of this chest are sculpted and need to be shaped. It is easiest to do this with a curved template and tracing the arch of the handle.
“Take care to arrange your boards in such a way that they complement one another in both grain pattern and color.”
Read more: https://www.popularwoodworking.com/article/greene-greene-style-blanket-chest/
