For my Lantern design I decided to try and see if I could do something interesting with the shape of the box so I looked up some kerf patterns to bend the wood that I’m going to be using for the roof. The rest will be cut out in a mostly box-like shape with an A-frame formed with the curved roof on the front and back sides. I’m planning on inserting a design cut out of cardstock into each of the square holes on the sides, cut out in the shape of a tree but I’m not certain I will stick with this. I might end up making each tree a different season for each of the sides but at the moment I only have the branches. In terms of lighting I will go with a fake candle, as I think the yellow glow will fit better with the natural aesthetic of the design than an LED. In terms of assembly, the roof pieces will fit together naturally but the rest of the pieces will be joined with wood glue. Currently I’m planning on making each piece out of 1/8 inch hardwood of some kind and then finishing it with a varnish of some kind. The final design will also eventually rest on a baseplate. Below is a rough approximation of how it might look from different side views.
In terms of questions I am wondering if you have any other ideas for the design that would fit in each box hole. I’m also wondering if I should keep similar/same designs on every side, have two sets of two (the front and back match, and so do the sides) or to have a different illustration on each face. I’m also still deciding upon size if you have suggestions in that department. Currently each face is about 4.7 inches in width and 5.8 inches tall.
Hi Alexander. To answer your your question about designs on the faces, in my opinion making two different designs (opposite from one another) would create a nice balance!
Hi Alexander! I’m excited to see your tiny house be built! To answer your question on designs, I think creating a full scene through all the pieces or even telling a story might be an interesting idea. In my opinion, for the cardstock, I might use multiple layers on the back of the cardstock to create your details as well.
yo yo. I love the idea of having all the sides be the same tree but in a different season.
The four seasons idea is awesome! What made you decide to cut out the tree design rather than painting it?
damn. I really love this idea and am super excited to see how it’s gonna turn out. Also, thin wood becomes fairly malleable once it’s soaked in water, you this is another method you can try in order to bend your roof.
Hi Alexander! Your idea is awesome! I agree with everyone else that having the four seasons design would be really interesting. I’d like to ask if you plan to use the same wood for the entire piece or change it with the design?
Hi! Wow this is going to be a really nice clean lantern, I’m excited to see it glowing especially through the roof. I personally can’t decide how many side designs to suggest to you, so i’ll just tell you that no matter what tree, branch, or combination of seasons you use will be awesome. Just do the design that you end up feeling like you want to have!
The consensus seems to be to use the four seasons design so I will go with that. In order to make it uniform I’m planning on having every piece be constructed out of the same type of wood (excluding the paper pieces of course).