26. September 2026

Ashwood Sidetable Vienna

This side table began as an experiment with materials and finishes I had wanted to try for a while: black-stained ash, a sunburst veneer top and Viennese cane. The rest of the design developed around those elements, combining the bright patterned top with dark legs, a lighter lower shelf and exposed joinery details.

01 — SIGNATURE FEATURE

Sunburst Veneer Tabletop

The tabletop is made from triangular pieces of ash veneer arranged into a sunburst pattern, with the grain direction creating the visual effect. A solid ash ring surrounds the veneered centre, giving the top a clean outer edge and framing the pattern. Using the same light ash throughout keeps the result subtle despite the strong geometry.

02 — DESIGN DETAIL

CANE INLAY SHELF

The lower shelf combines a solid ash frame with a Viennese cane inlay, adding a lighter and more open element beneath the tabletop. The mitred corners are reinforced with visible bow-tie inlays. Besides strengthening the joints, the contrasting inlays turn what could have been a hidden structural solution into a small detail of its own.

03 — MATERIAL CONTRAST

BLACK-STAINED LEGS

The legs are stained black to create a strong contrast with the light ash veneer and natural cane. This separates the base visually from the top and lower shelf and makes the brighter materials stand out more clearly. The dark finish also gives the table a sharper overall appearance without covering the shape of the solid ash legs.

04 — JOINERY DETAIL

SLIDING DOVETAILS

The legs are connected to the tabletop with sliding dovetails, creating a strong mechanical joint without visible metal hardware. The dovetail remains visible at the top of each leg, so the connection becomes part of the design rather than something to hide. It is both a practical way to attach the base and a subtle joinery detail when viewed up close.

Project Videos

Follow the complete building process through a collection of short videos, showcasing the techniques, details and challenges behind this project.

 Project Essentials

A selection of the tools and materials that played the biggest role in this project. Everyday workshop essentials such as the table saw, planer and sanders are intentionally left out.

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