Tulipwood, Shaker, Edwardian, Floating, Concealed, Painted
Edwardian Lines
This fitted cabinet and floating shelving were designed for an Edwardian home in Lewes, creating useful concealed storage without losing the character of the room.
Traditional shaker construction and subtle period references sit alongside hidden shelf fixings, recessed catches and a restrained painted finish, giving the piece a sense of belonging without trying to reproduce the original joinery exactly.
BRIEF.
The client wanted generous concealed storage beneath a series of floating shelves for books, artwork and personal objects.
The challenge was to create something sympathetic to the Edwardian house without making a reproduction piece. The cabinetry needed to feel appropriately proportioned and quietly traditional, while the hardware and overall detailing could be cleaner and more contemporary.
CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS.
The main challenge was finding the right balance between period character and a cleaner modern finish.
Equal-width stiles and rails, slender moulding details and carefully judged proportions reference the original joinery in the house, while recessed magnetic catches and concealed shelf fixings remove unnecessary visual clutter.
The door panels were made from birch plywood rather than solid timber to reduce seasonal movement, helping the painted shaker doors remain crisp and stable over time without changing their traditional appearance.
THE MAKING PROCESS.
After surveying the room, the cabinet was designed around the proportions of the wall and the surrounding architecture. Tulipwood was selected for the face frames, shaker doors and shelves because it machines cleanly, remains stable and takes a painted finish particularly well.
The shaker doors were traditionally constructed, with subtle mouldings developed to echo details already present in the house. The floating shelves were routed to slide precisely over concealed timber wall battens, creating strong shelving without visible brackets. Magnetic catches were recessed into both the face frame and doors so the hardware disappeared once everything was closed.
Every component was assembled and dry-fitted in the workshop before finishing. The paint was spray applied for complete, even coverage, then lightly brushed by hand on the final coat to introduce the softer character of traditional painted joinery. Installation was completed with careful scribing and final adjustment on site.
“Absolutely beautiful craftsmanship, we're extremely happy with the care and attention throughout the project. Thanks so much!”
- Sara Stindum, Lewes