Hucek Woodworks

Walnut Coffee Table

This piece was a very personal commission - crafted for my uncle's 70th birthday as a gift from his kids. One of my cousins, an interior designer, developed the design and collaborated closely with me through each stage to bring it to life. The result: a solid walnut coffee table that merges clean lines with fine craftsmanship.

Stock Selection & Milling

Rough walnut boards laid out in the shop

The build began with a gorgeous stack of rough-sawn, kiln-dried, walnut, carefully chosen for its clarity, color, and grain. Every board was milled flat and square with jointer and planer in preparation for panel glue-up.

Panel Glue-Up

Planed walnut boards ready for glue-up Glued up panel before dovetail layout

Panels were arranged with a focus on continuous grain flow across faces. This also supports even seasonal movement throughout the case. The finished dimensions came in at 53" wide, 27" deep, and 17" tall.

Dovetail Joinery

Cutting tails for the dovetails Completed tails Setup to trace dovetail pins Completed pins All dovetail joints completed

All joinery was cut by hand—14 dovetails across each corner. The precision and contrast make them one of the most satisfying parts of the build.

Case Assembly

Dovetailed case dry fit Close-up of dovetailed corner Case being glued up Fully glued case

Dry fit confirmed everything was square, then clamps were applied for the full glue-up. Long grain alignment was preserved at all junctions for both strength and expansion considerations.

Interior Shelving & Inlay

Interior shelf with subtle inlay

The shelving includes a subtle detail: end grain walnut inlays along the edges. These not only match the end grain in the dovetails but also offer a contrast to the eye.

Sliding Doors & Hardware

Clamping the door frames Case with doors installed Test fitting the curved handles Close-up of custom handle Brass stops inside cabinet

The sliding doors are a centerpiece of craftsmanship here. Each door had to be individually fit to slide effortlessly in its hardwood track, while also allowing for simple lift-out removal. This level of precision isn't possible without sharp hand tools and careful refinement. Inside, brass door stops provide a soft close and polished aesthetic.

The handles were designed to appear like the letter 'H' for Hucek, also my uncle's last name.

Final Assembly & Finish

Finished front view Front view of coffee table in sunlight Side and top view in the sun Top view showing chatoyance

The table was finished in Rubio Monocoat, chosen for its durability and matte feel. The walnut came alive in the sunlight—chatoyant, warm, and rich. Grain runs uninterrupted across the top, sides, and doors, creating a unified form that’s as much sculpture as furniture.

Crafted with care by Frank Hucek. Completed in June 2025.

Disclaimer. This article was generated in part with AI tools. They allow me to accomplish more (like these blog posts) with my time.