So once again, classic Jeffy at it again. We needed more storage space. Simple problem. Reasonable solution? Nah.

I’ve always wanted to build a credenza. And while we’re at it, let’s weave a red oak top. Oh and fuck it let’s ebonise the cabinet too. Why? Because I’d never done it before and that’s usually enough of a reason.

So I snagged some red oak and milled it all down into thin strips. The main body of the cabinet is plywood, with red oak doors. Ebonising was completely new territory for me, so naturally I made my own rust solution using vinegar and steel wool, then followed it up with that bark tea stuff… which I had to order from a taxidermy supply store. Very normal behaviour.

The tea helps make sure the black reacts evenly with the tannins in the different woods, and honestly it was wild to watch it happen in real time. I basically made my own finish. Absolute madness. Finished it off with a clear coat and was stoked with the colour. Purists might say I butchered it, eh, ’m just gonna do me.

The woven top was very much an experiment. I soaked thin strips of red oak in a wheelie bin full of water, then just went for it. I’d planned to wrap the edge as well, but that quickly became a problem I didn’t feel like solving. Instead, I landed on a thicker frame that kind of reads like a border around the piece — and honestly, I reckon it works.

You’d think the top wouldn’t be very functional, but it actually holds up surprisingly well. The texture is wild, the storage is ample, and the soft-close hinges make it genuinely pleasant to use. Big fan of the legs too.

Once again, classic Jeffy — trying something a bit out the gate. But I’m bloody happy with how it turned out.