I've thought for several years about having fewer linear elements in my furniture and more curved or flowing forms, especially forms I could shape with handtools- spokeshaves, small planes, gouges. However there is one element of my previous furniture that I wanted to carry over to a new piece- triangular stretchers that I had used years ago in a cherry hall table:
The design I came up with has both the triangular stretchers and flowing hand-carved curves. Now that's its done I'm not sure how I feel about it. There are several things that bother me: 1) is it too symmetrical? 2) do the triangular pieces interfere with the lines of the curves? 3) should the top be different- thicker, thinner, tapered?
The frame is hard maple and the top is 1/2" plywood core with spalted maple inside edge glueings and spalted maple veneer on the top and bottom. I sawed the veneer myself of course. Edges are relieved with the traditional block plane chamfer. Tenons are pinned with walnut dowel.
The carved rails are attached to the 1.75" stiles with traditional M/T joints. The triangular stretchers grasp the rails with a modified slip joint.
When I look back on the design, I would probably take the lower single triangular stretcher out. Some sort of stretcher would still be needed to prevent splaying of the stiles. Perhaps the table is just too small for the amount of detail in the elements.