The Original Portal

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