Full-length mirror, 80″ tall x 50″ wide. Alder, gel stain, polyurethane finish.
I experimented with this design treatment for the first time in 2008, soon after unpacking my tools which had been quiet for four years. This piece, Portal, was the first outcome. I chose friendly alder as the material; for a soft wood, it does a great job of holding its shape. Without much grain to exhibit, I rubbed in a mix of gel stains and finished it off with a few coats of polyurethane. See how this design treatment has evolved in Portal del Prado using walnut; the grain goes psychedelic with the morphing contour. Recycled wood could offer new ideas for other applications, especially for very large areas.
The design of this full-length mirror was intended for a private home setting, if you can imagine standing in front of it under a soft light. Notice the knot-turned-hook on the left side and the little platform next to it. Hang your dress or tie, set your earrings or watch. As you can see in the photos, friends at Phlight Restaurant in Uptown Whittier, CA, decided to raise it higher for more people to see. LdM can only be thankful about that.
