Furnishing Friendship

I recently finished a commission for my friend's wife on the occasion of her birthday.  I like building for my friends because it serves as a catalyst for interaction. I get to share a lot about the building process throughout and bring more people into the world of woodworking through projects like this. The experience becomes more like "working with" than "working for" someone. I also have the satisfaction of knowing my friends will enjoy their piece for decades to come. 

As with any project, this one was full of new learning opportunities, challenges and enjoyment. I used a single board for the top, which I cut 4 or 5 years ago and let dry for two years before planing it. The table is made of curly maple and cherry and has mortise and tenon joints like most of my tables. The shelf below is notched into the legs, which are tapered. I cut half blind dovetails for the drawer, which is cut out of the apron. The dovetails were the second set I've cut by hand (the first were 6 years ago), but I could tell that my chisel and saw skills have improved. The finish on this table is wipe on gloss polyurethane, finished with wax to help even out the sheen. The dimensions are 36" high, 12" wide and 42" long. Below are several additional pictures, including the construction process.