A Late, Great Source for Silk Tassels

Images of our recently completed Aquaria Desk are due to be published in a magazine at some point later this year.

One detail that we were looking to feature is this beautifully crafted silk tassel by Theodore Merwitz Textiles, Inc. of Chicago, Illinois.

The Merwitz company was founded in 1953 and is well regarded in the interior design trade for its ability to turn out elegant, one-of-a-kind trimmings using high quality yarns, Old-world looms and traditional hand-tying techniques. Amongst the many commissions that it has received over the years Merwitz was involved in the restoration of Carnegie Hall and they also supplied trimmings for various renovations at the White House.

Sadly, we have recently learned that Theodore Merwitz Textiles has closed it’s doors and is no more.

Our remaining inventory of vintage Merwitz tassels will be used judiciously on select upcoming projects, including a recently commissioned Diego Humidor for a cigar aficionado in Tennessee.

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Stack Laminated Walnut Console

Sometimes we find design inspiration in places we least expect.

This winter has been one of the coldest we have had in several decades. Because of this frigid air most of the snow that has fallen has managed to stay loose and powdery, making it prone to drifting with even the slightest of wind. This has resulted in many snowdrifts being created, including some very unusual sculptural shapes.

A few weeks ago I was walking outside when I noticed this formation over a raised garden bed. Right away I began to think about possible shapes for some stacked laminated designs I have been pondering for a while. Before long I was off to the lumberyard to buy the necessary Walnut.

What you are looking at is roughly 100 board feet of 8/4 solid Walnut. This should be enough material to make a wall hung console and a table base.

Kevin rough cuts the planks and prepares the edges for glue.

Gluing the boards together.

Planing the segments down to a consistent thickness.

The boards ready to be marked for bandsaw.

Aligning the templates to mark the boards.

Marking the boards.

Gluing the stacked layers together.

The stack lamination in the bench vise, ready for shaping.

Shaping with an angle grinder.

Sanding the final shape.

Applying the oil finish.

Wiping down the finished console.

Console shown mounted on wall.

Corner detail, showing the layers of stacked lamination.