Build a Serpentine Sideboard, Part 1
Start with the curved front and you are halfway done with this Federal masterpiece
Synopsis: With its sweeping facade, this Federal sideboard is an ambitious project. The doors and drawers are curved and veneered with mahogany. The six legs—two rear corner, two front corner, and two front center—are all shaped to match the front so the serpentine curve is smooth and uninterrupted. The legs are adorned with one of the signature items of Federal-style furniture—bellflowers. Take the time to practice on each of these tricky parts and your final result will be well worth the effort.
I was inspired by a number of pieces from the Carolinas when designing this sinuous, Federal-style sideboard.
Serpentine sideboards are some of the most challenging, and consequently the most rewarding, pieces to build. The sweeping façade makes them graceful and elegant, but introduces some serious head-scratching, at least the first time around. I’ve done all the problem-solving for you, and to guide you through every…
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