Building an Oval End Table with Abstract Shelves

Building an Oval End Table with Abstract Shelves and Sculpted Legs

For today’s Denver Custom Furniture project, I set out to build a unique oval table with abstract cherry lower shelves and walnut sculpted legs. The process was a mix of careful planning, improvisation, and a little bit of trial and error—especially when my daughter compared the Oval End Table design to Squidward’s head from SpongeBob SquarePants!

Milling the Lumber and Glue-Up

I started by milling the lumber as usual, but when it came to the glue-up, I decided against using dominos for alignment—something I typically rely on. Since I was cutting an oval shape and some abstract curves later, I didn’t want to risk a domino being exposed on the edges.

Instead, I cut some caul and covered them with packing tape to prevent glue adhesion. These helped keep the panels flat during the glue-up. To make clamping easier, I spaced the clamps off the workbench with scrap wood, allowing room for the clamps to slide underneath the material.

Cutting the Oval Shape

After the glue-up, I crafted a quick shop-made oval-cutting jig. I’m no mathematician, but the basic idea is that the jig has two sliding pivot points—one controlling the length of the oval and the other controlling the width. I double-stick taped the jig to the center of my workpiece and made several shallow passes with the router until I cut all the way through.

Shaping the Lower Shelves

The lower shelves only extended halfway across the table, so I glued up two shorter blanks and traced half of the oval onto them. After rough-cutting them on the bandsaw (leaving the line for cleanup), I used double-stick tape to attach the top to the lower shelf. Then, with a bearing-guided bit on the router table, I matched the shelf’s curve to the tabletop.

Where the oval transitioned into the abstract shape, I blended the curves with a disc sander. My daughter’s observation that it resembled Squidward’s head was too amusing to ignore—so with her approval, I refined the shape and cut it out on the bandsaw. After cleaning up the cuts at the spindle sander, I used double-stick tape again to make a matching copy for the second shelf.

Designing the Legs

Originally, I thought using the oval’s arch for the legs would be clever, but after sketching it out, I realized it looked too busy with too many steep curves. Instead, I opted for straight legs with a curved top section, resembling the shape of a calla lily flower.

To cut the legs safely, I used a table saw for the straight portion and switched to the bandsaw for the curve. Then, I refined the shape at the spindle sander and hand-sanded with a flexible strip to ensure a smooth transition.

To prevent kickback at the router table, I added small plywood blocks with CA glue at the start and end of the template. This gave the router bit a solid surface to engage before cutting into the workpiece.

Joining the Legs to the Table

The legs were notched to fit into the tabletop and shelves. A dado stack cut the notches, but since the tabletop was curved, there was a small gap. I fixed this by chiseling a concave curve into each leg to match the table’s shape.

During a test fit, I noticed a gap on the lower shelf due to Squidward’s sharper curve. I marked the leg’s position, sawed a notch with a Japanese pull saw, and refined it with a chisel until everything fit snugly.

Final Shaping and Finishing

For a smooth roundover on the legs, I used a router table with starter blocks to prevent catches. After knocking off the blocks, I trimmed the leg tops at the miter saw (though in hindsight, the table saw might have been safer—lesson learned!).

A hand-sanded chamfer along the edges softened the transition between the legs and the table. Before final assembly, I pre-finished the pieces with wipe-on satin polyurethane, masking the joints to avoid glue interference.

Assembly

With nine joints across seven pieces, I opted for slow-setting epoxy. The band clamp, as usual, proved frustrating and was eventually abandoned. Despite my daughter vetoing the name “Squidward Table,” I’m really happy with how it turned out!

More Project Build Videos

Building a Dr. Seuss Inspired Coat Rack

How a straight 4x4 becomes a whimsical, Dr. Seuss-inspired coat rack using a band saw inside-out cutting technique, plus a hand-cut castle joint base.

Building a Fireplace Mantel

In this episode, I designed and built a Craftsman-style fireplace mantel for a client in Colorado Springs.  The mantel was made from hickory and stained to match some of the other millwork in the house.  

Building Modern Contemporary Doors

In this episode, I build a whole house of Modern Contemporary Doors featuring a stainless steel accent for my Colorado Springs client's home.

Asymmetrical Shelf Build

I recently completed an asymmetrical shelf unit for a client, and let me tell you, it was one of those projects that looks simple on the surface but requires serious attention to detail from start to finish.

Installing a Door Lock on a Custom Door

I have installed Door locks of all varieties over the years, from different setback to full mortise locks.  In this episode, I show how to install a door lock and deadbolt set for my custom copper door project.  This was a custom door for a client in Evergreen, Colorado, just outside of Denver.

Building a Nakashima-Inspired Live-Edge Walnut Table

Crafting a live-edge walnut table inspired by the legendary woodworker George Nakashima. The build combines traditional joinery techniques with modern tools, resulting in a piece that balances elegance and functionality. Here’s how I brought this table to life for my Denver Client.

Building a Craftsman Style Bench

I built a Craftsman-style bench with storage.  The design cues for this bench came from my client's Denver home, which was built in the craftsman style.  Specific details I pulled from their home were the rope molding corresponding to the rope bolding in the wainscotting. 

Building a Platform Bed

In this episode, I build a platform bed with a sheepskin headboard for a Colorado Springs Client.  The bed is made from walnut and features four floating shelves attached to the headboard. Each side of the bed has an integrated reading light.

Building a Walnut Vanity with a Live Edge Backspalsh

In this episode, I build a Custom walnut vanity with a live-edge backsplash. This Colorado Springs client wanted a contemporary floating custom vanity with some rustic appeal. To accomplish this, we created a vanity with a beautiful contemporary look and added a live-edge backsplash to give it that Mountain Modern look.  

Custom Wood Inlay on Box Lid

This is a memorial box for a little girl who passed from epilepsy.  Her name is Clair, and the nurses who cared for her called her Clair Bear, so we decided an appropriate inlay was bear.  Each piece of wood was selected for its natural color to tell the story and was inlayed by hand.

Building an Asian Inspired Keepsake Box

In this episode, I build a custom asian inspired keepsake box. The Keepsake box sides are made from bamboo, and the top and legs are cherry. If you are into woodworking and want to make this box, I do have "How To Plans" available for this project.

Building Floating Shelves for a Client’s Master Bath

A client needed a place to display his grandfather's shaving kit and a few other collectibles. Here's how I designed and built the floating shelves to hold them.

Building a Craftsman Style Staircase and Handrail

In this episode, I help a Colorado Springs Client remodel their staircase. The existing staircase was a straight run with an outdated style. I redesigned it to have open-ended steps with a craftsman handrail.

Building a Entry Table With Walnut Cuffs

In this episode, I build a custom entry table with walnut cuffs.  The main table is made from cherry, and the feet are adorned with decorative walnut cuffs.

Learning to Patinate and Bend Metal 

Today's project is more than just building a pendant lamp. I really believe that to continue growing as an artist, you have to always be experimenting, trying new techniques, and working in new mediums.

Building a Scandinavian Round Table

I took my time building this round table. I’m thrilled with the result—a sleek, Scandinavian-inspired table with Midcentury undertones.

Building a Custom Rustic Steel Dining Table Base

Building a custom rustic steel dining table base, from welding and acid treatment to creating unique rust patinas with vinegar and finishing with weighted concrete for stability

Making a Wooden Ice Bucket

Today's project is to build a decorative wooden ice bucket for a bar cart I constructed earlier. This isn't a functional piece meant to hold water; it's a prop, designed solely to add visual interest and character to my home bar setup.

Building a Sculpture that Doubles as a Coat Rack

building a sculptural two-moon coat rack, from grain-matched bandsaw cuts and CNC joinery fixtures to hand-shaped hooks and a hidden wall-mount system.

DIY Barn Door Guide

A while ago, I built a barn door with a steel frame that encased the wood for a client in Denver, Colorado. It turned out great, but one question kept coming up: How did I keep the bottom of the door from swinging around? Most barn door hardware kits include a T-track that gets screwed into the floor, with a slot routed into the bottom of the door for guidance. But since my door had a steel base, routing a groove wasn’t an option.

Coffee & End Tables

Elliptical End Table 3 Tiers | Custom End Table

Nakashima Inspired Coffee Table

Jet Engine Coffee Table

Japanese Inspired End Table

Whiskey End Table With Drink Rail

Minimalist Coffee Table

Walnut and Steel End Table