A Gallery of Custom
Furniture and Special Projects
from Bob Dillon Windsor Chairs


Queen Anne Chest

Queen Anne Dresser; click for larger view Queen Anne Dresser; click for larger view

This Queen Anne chest-on-frame is adapted from Central Massachusetts examples made just after the middle of the 18th century. It is a fairly simple piece with most of the ornament applied to the base. The carcase and drawers are dovetailed throughout. The base is mortise and tenon. The cherry wood is colored with dye and topped with Dainish oil that gives good protection and a soft, lustrous finish. Secondary woods are pine and poplar. This is a small chest, but larger sizes can also be built. A pair of examples are given below. Other woods are also available, with maple and walnut most appropriate for the period. Contact me for a firm quote on your desired wood and dimensions.

  • Overall Dimensions: 36" high x 34" wide x 20.25" deep
  • Carcase Dimensions (excludes top & base): 30" wide x 25" tall x 17.5" deep
  • Drawer Depths: 3.5", 4.5", 5.25", 6.25"
  • Shipping: motor freight, plus crating ($175) (see Price Page for shipping info).
PRICESAs ShownFive DrawersSix Drawers
2650.003200.003500.00

Queen Anne Tea Table

Queen Anne Tea Table; click for larger image. Queen Anne Tea Table detail; click for larger image. Queen Anne Tea Table with drawer; click for larger image.
Optional 'Porringer' Top

This tea table is not exactly a custom piece, as I have carried this design in my regular line for years and have built quite a few. Those who know me from the shows I attend will surely recognize it.

Tables of this sort were quite common in the 18th century, likely used for serving tea, or solitary dining, or perhaps as a game table. They probably were used in taverns as well.

Tea tables were typically made from maple and sometimes poplar or beech, often with a pine top. I offer maple, cherry and walnut. Besides the very common oval, many tables of this type were given the distinctive "porringer" top, with corners that resemble, some say, porridge bowls.

I also include here a modification I made at a customers request. The table pictured on the right has a small drawer on one of its long sides. I do not know if such a thing was ever included on tables of this style in the period, but it is a useful addition all the same.

  • Overall size: Oval= 23" x 32" "Porringer"= 24" x 32"
  • Height: 27" (or to suit customer)
  • Drawer: add $120
  • Shipping: SpeeDee Delivery within MN, WI and IA. Otherwise must ship motor freight. A smaller version could be shipped UPS (see Price Page for more shipping info).
PRICESMapleCherry or Walnut
Oval Top490.00530.00
Porringer585.00625.00
w/ draweradd $135 to above

Small Desk

Desk Box and Stand; click for larger view Desk Box and Stand; click for larger view

This desk was designed by me to hold and organize all my stuff at shows. Under the lid I stash show papers, brochures, business cards, invoice book, my lunch. In the drawer you'll find pens, paper clips, rubber bands, aspirin, antacids (for after lunch). Books and photo albums stand on the shelf.

I based this piece on desks that were made to be used while standing, although this one is not that tall. The style is simple, like Shaker, but with a little decoration on the drawer front. The box is dovetailed throughout; the stand is pinned mortise-and-tenon. The box can be permanently attached to the stand, but I prefer to keep them separate: I can pack the stand in the back of the truck with the other furniture, while the box rides on the front seat where the contents are close at hand.

The cherry desk shown has a customer-requested lip on the lid. The painted version listed in the price table is made from yellow poplar.

  • Overall Dimensions: 34" tall x 15.5 wide x 15" deep
  • Base: 26.5" tall
  • Drawer: 2.5" deep
  • Shipping: SpeeDee or UPS (see Price Page for more shipping info).
PRICESPaintedMapleCherry or Walnut
690.00865.00910.00

Blanket Chest

blanket chest: click image for larger photo blanket chest detail: click image for larger photo

There never seems to be enough storage space in a house. A blanket chest is a great way to gobble up the kind of stuff that gets dumped on the closet floor, draped over a chair or just stacked in a corner.

This chest was made to serve as a coffee table, but it would be equally at home at the foot of a bed, under a window or even in a front hall to hold boots, hats and mittens.

I made this blanket chest from yellow poplar, but other woods, such as maple or cherry or walnut would also work well. The detail photo was taken before the slate blue milk paint was applied. I carried the dovetails down to the base so that it would be ready to take the abuse such corners are inevitably subjected to.

  • Overall Dimensions: 20" wide x 21" tall x 40" long
  • Base Height: 5.25"
  • Shipping: SpeeDee Delivery within MN, WI and IA. Otherwise must ship motor freight. A slightly smaller version could be shipped UPS (see Price Page for more shipping info).
PRICESPaintedMapleCherry or Walnut
910.001090.001150.00

Dining Table

Drop-leaf table; click for larger view Drop-leaf table; click for larger view Drop-leaf table; click for larger view

Here is an example of a dining table with the two-fold versatility of drop-leaves and extension leaves. Its minimum size is 28" x 42". With the 13" drop leaves raised, four can fit comfortably around the 54" x 42" top. Add the two 12" extension leaves and this 78" x 42" table easily will accommodate six -- or eight with only a little crowding.

Construction is mortise-and-tenon. The drop-leaves are supported by fly rails which swing out on hand-cut wooden hinges. The table extends on manufactured extension slides.

  • Minimum size: 42"x 28"
  • Leaves up: 42" x 54"
  • Maximum size: 42" x 78"
  • Shipping: motor freight, plus crating ($175) (see Price Page for more shipping info).
PRICESMapleCherry or Walnut
1790.002010.00