Designing a Classic Chest

Ep 318: Designing a nice piece of furniture takes time. And when it comes to designing a reproduction of an 18th century Chest of Drawers, you might say it’s 250 years in the making! In this episode I show you my process for deciding on details and designing a classic Chippendale style chest of drawers. I love period furniture, such variety and style embodying the heart and soul of the pre-industrial craftsmen. I attempt to do it justice with this Chippendale chest of drawers.  ⚙️NEW ONLINE COURSE STARTS MAY 14, 2026 ➡️ Chippendale Chest of Drawers - Details here: https://www.epicwoodworking.com/produ.... Make this piece with Tom! Full-size Plans available. ================ "My aim is not to simply teach you to make furniture, but to reveal and inspire the artist inside of you." - Tom 😎 Epic Woodworking is about inspiring your woodworking journey - Your Story in the Making: epicwoodworking.com 🎯 Get Tom's Top 10 Tool List 👉 https://www.epicwoodworking.com/maili... 🎁 Take $5 off your first Epic purchase 👉 https://www.epicwoodworking.com/maili... 🏘️ Move into The Neighborwood, our growing woodworking community 👉 https://www.epicwoodworking.com/neigh... 🔗 EPISODE LINKS: • Chippendale Chest of Drawers Online Course and Plans: https://www.epicwoodworking.com/produ... • Yale University Art Gallery Furniture Study Collection:  https://artgallery.yale.edu/collection NOTE: This collection includes more than 1300 pieces of furniture, clocks, and wooden objects made in the America from the 17th century to present. It’s a mind boggling display of craftsmanship. The archives are open to view by appointment to individuals and groups fewer than 18 people. Contact them at 203-432-0632." • John Townsend Highboy (Chest of Drawers): https://artgallery.yale.edu/collectio... • Chippendale Chest of Drawers Online Course and Plans: https://www.epicwoodworking.com/produ... • The New Fine Points of Furniture: Early American: The Good, Better, Best, Superior, Masterpiece by Albert Sack: https://amzn.to/2UUOacY • Furniture Treasury (Volume 1) by Wallace Nutting: https://amzn.to/2ApDuMN • Construction of American Furniture Treasures by Lester Margon: https://amzn.to/3bNtFFX • Masterpieces of American Furniture by Lester Margon: https://amzn.to/4ne6x9s (also check ebay and other used book dealers) • Masterpieces of Furniture in Photographs and Measured Drawings by Verna Cook Salomonsky: https://amzn.to/42lVgKM 📹 RELATED VIDEO RESOURCES:    • Seeing the Amazing Yale Furniture Study   ‼️ INDEX OF SHOP NIGHT LIVE EPISODES ‼️ https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/... Tom's apparel provided by Carhartt: https://www.carhartt.com ================ EXPERIENCE WOODWORKING WITH TOM AND THE CAMERA LADY 🔥 Tom's Online Courses and Plans: https://www.epicwoodworking.com/courses 🔥 In-Shop Classes with Tom: https://www.epicwoodworking.com/classes 🔥 Epic Weekend with Tom and Friends: https://www.epicwoodworking.com/epic-... 🔥 Epic Swag (caps, mugs, polos, etc.) - https://www.epicwoodworking.com/swag 🔥 Epic Amazon Store - https://www.amazon.com/shop/epicwoodw... 🔥 Tom's Favorite Resources - https://www.epicwoodworking.com/resou... LOOK FOR US HERE TOO Epic Website: https://www.epicwoodworking.com Instagram:   / epicwoodworking   Facebook:   / epicwoodworking   YouTube:    / @epicwoodworking   TikTok:   / epicwoodworking   ================ These episodes are filmed LIVE to foster real time interaction between Tom and the viewer. They remain here in edited form so the content is freely available to any interested. We recognize the vibe of the live format is still somewhat present. Enjoy! This is an edited version of SHOP NIGHT LIVE, streamed weekly from Tom's shop to inspire you as a maker. We have been doing this since 2019 so there are many more episodes at our channel for ample binging. Check it out and subscribe and share while you're at it -- it all helps! If you're not familiar with Tom McLaughlin, you can read his story that starts with an old style apprenticeship, and see his portfolio: https://www.epicwoodworking.com/about ================ FTC Disclosure: In general, the links we provide through Amazon are affiliate links, which means we will receive a slight commission if you purchase something using that link. Affiliate arrangements are not a focus for us, but we do want you to be aware of this one.