Oak and Chrome Credenza by Davis Allen

When I find exceptional pieces I often go on about the quality of the joinery, use of solid wood, graceful curves, handworked details, etc.  This isn't one of those pieces.  As a piece of business furniture, this was designed for the rigors of the corporate environment where furniture is in continuous use for 8-12 hours a day, often being moved around from floor to floor and office to office.  This credenza was very well designed for this purpose and is more a marvel of engineering than it is a crafted piece of fine furniture.  However, there are a few things that attracted me to this piece.  The fine chrome drawer pulls, chrome blade steel legs and chrome trim are reminiscent of designs by George Nelson or Florence Knoll.  The oak used in this piece exhibited beautiful cathedraling and it is finished on all 4 sides.  It is also lower than most credenzas which makes it very useful as a TV or media stand.  The lower profile ads to its modernist stature.

Allen Davis is not a designer most people are familiar with.  He is recognized as one of the pioneers in post WWII business environment design.  His prolific 50 year career included designing for Knoll, Stendig, Stow Davis and Steelcase.  In 1985 he was one of the first 15 inductees into the Interior Design Hall of Fame.

This piece was built in 1972.  It is constructed on a heavy steel chassis with drawers using steel boxes and heavy duty steel glides.  The manufacturer, GF Furniture, specialized in constructing fireproof business furnishings and although this piece is not fireproof, their expertise is evident in its construction.  Because of the construction technique this piece is very heavy, I'm guessing 350 lbs.  The center "open storage" area features one adjustable steel shelf.

As I have with other oak pieces recently I opted to finish this with a cerused technique.  The "background" color is a dark brown and black with the grain filled with a contrasting white.  I love the look this gives oak pieces and it fits in well with today's modern industrial aesthetic.

Dimensions: 65"W x 25"H x 21"H
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