Round Bun Feet

How many times have you struggled with getting that dowel or dowel screw tightly into a bun foot and then hoped it lasted? Yeah, we've all been there. Well, Osborne Wood Products has the answer. A captured 5/16 hanger bolt is already attached to this charming 4" Apple Bun foot. So now, instead of trying to figure out how to somehow attach a bun foot, we've a clear-cut answer. Just build necessary blocking into the piece so that you can use a captured nut, a tee nut, or make it so as to attach it with a washer and nut from the top side. So much versatility, yet with so much character and grace--the 4" Apple Bun w/hanger bolt.

While the Fluted Bun Foot may feel as though it's superior in every way to its plain, seemingly insignificant little cousin, the Non Fluted Bun Foot, it does have to make one concession; the Non Fluted Bun Foot was the founder and forerunner of bun foot stardom. The Non Fluted Bun Foot certainly knows that its heritage is strong and its simple beauty astounding. What began as a small Non Fluted Bun Foot adorning a beautiful bureau has blossomed into a whole world of bun foot superstars. But the simple Non Fluted Bun Foot still holds its own as a powerful patriarch serving over his empire.

This bun foot is becoming a classic among its peers. This 4" Non-Fluted Bun foot was one that was placed in the Osborne Wood Products line due to popular demand. Not as big as the large 4-1/2" non-fluted bun foot and not as small as the 3" non-fluted bun foot; this little bun foot has found its way into the designs of many of our loyal woodworkers.

When Bun Feet were first established as the norm for building furniture upon, it was not a determination of height, but rather of girth or visual size and proportion. That is why it has been paramount for us at Osborne Wood Products to make sure that while the height may change, the girth also changes to keep that sense of style and proportion balanced. The 4-1/2 inch Non-Fluted Bun Foot is one of those classic proportioned feed that fits this description aptly.

The Colonial Bun Foot with its concave shape and the ever-so-slight gentle impressions is perhaps the perfect choice for your project. The elegant shape, combined with the circumference carvings just below the apex of this beautiful bun foot, makes it a popular choice for craftsmen and designers.

The carver takes his round gouge chisel and slowly starts making plunge cuts down the side of the sphere. He continues as he works around the object. when he senses the appropriate time has come, he changes and uses his fluter chisels, and then beings to perfect the piece. Such is the traditional way that the 3" Fluted Bun Foot is made. Today, there is obviously a more time-sensitive way to make this bun foot, but the essence of quality and design remain unchanged.

If you are trying for a simpler look, this bun foot is also available in an non-fluted version.

What is the difference in appearance of the fluted bun foot versus the non-fluted bun foot? What style does one evoke over the other? Both are good questions. It has been my experience that some items that are very ornate may use the 4 1/2" Fluted Bun Foot because it mirrors the beauty and elegance of the piece. Conversely, I have seen some very ornate items that use the simple bun with no fluting. You know why? The designers feel that the fluted bun would take away from the elegance of the piece, so they don't want the focus to be on the bun feet. So, here's what I've concluded--use them, either fluted or non-fluted at your discretion. The only mistake you can make is not using of Osborne Wood Products' Bun Feet at all.

The Tulip Bun Foot was so named, quite obviously, because of its resemblance to the tulip flower. As most of us know, the tulip is a Dutch flower found originally in Holland. But actually we would be wrong. Did you know that the tulip actually first popped out of the ground in Iran and Afghanistan? And what's more shocking is that the original word for 'tulip' in the Persian language is the same word as the Persian word for 'turban'. It is thought that the spirals of the tulip flower inspired the Persians to offer that same title to the beautiful flower that we call the tulip.

"You are the apple of my eye." We've all heard this statement, and we all know what it means. Those of us who are proud to be children of the '70s can actually sing it to Stevie Wonder's tune. When you want to send someone who means so much to you the best compliment possible, this statement comes to mind. The apple has long been considered a favorite. We give them to our teachers. We eat one to stay away from the doctor. The apple bun foot is perhaps the most special of all bun feet. Its elegance and simple beauty are reflected in nature. After all, nature's always been our purist designer.

Shaped much like its namesake, these bun feet evoke memories of days gone by. Working on grandpa's farm was tough, but grandma's apple pies made up for it.

Just like the old Tom Jones tune 'She's a Lady', the Georgia Bun Foot has, well, as Tom sings, 'She's got style, she's got grace, she's a winner'. What more can be said of this beautiful bun foot. The Georgia Bun Foot is the most intricate of all the bun feet. With its multiple lines and curves, this bun foot will gladly accompany any deserving partner that you may create.

High peaks and deep valleys gently transition to smaller peaks and less-deep valleys. The Georgia Bun Foot is one that we are proud to say resembles the location of our factory nestled in the North Georgia piedmont and foothills. Inspired by our natural landscape, our Georgia Bun Foot reminds us of home each time we ship one to you.

One of the definitions of the word 'bridle' is to move quickly. If you look closely at our Bridle Bun Foot you will notice what appear to be little pads at the bottom of these bun feet. These small pads are the only portion of the foot that comes in contact with the floor. It seems that the entire piece of furniture is floating on little pads of air. Now those of us who know construction are aware that the piece is actually putting all its mass on these little 'pads'. But the eye of the beholder may see them as an easy way in which to move the item, allowing that less friction may indicate easier mobility. The Bridle Bun Foot is therefore aptly named to give the slight hint that this piece may just move quickly with little provocation.

I have made Colonial Wedding Chests almost my whole woodworking career. Personally, I like to use a "Bridle" Bun foot on my wedding chests. I know, I know--it's not spelled the same and it doesn't even mean the same things. But, you should look on the new bride's face when I present her with the Colonial Wedding Chest and then I explain that I used a very special 'bridle' bun foot. "Ahhh," they say, cooing like it was just meant to be. Little do they know . . .

When I was a child, I used to play with a set of wooden eggs. I really don't know how you're supposed to play with those things but I think I remember playing that I was collecting them and putting them in my basket. Of course, we had laying hens and I guess my parents just didn't trust me to do the real thing so I had play eggs. Anyway, I have always had an affinity for eggs. So, when my granddaughter was born, her parents picked out some furniture from one of those high end stores that they wanted me to reproduce. Sure enough, there on the bottom were those little wooden eggs just like my toy ones. But these were actually the feet. So, I looked at the Osborne Wood Products website and, voila, I find ones just like them. Now my granddaughter may never get to play with toy wooden eggs, but she at least has some to look at in her room--right on the bottom of her changing table and dresser.

Contributed by Charles Head, Beautiful Interiors

We all know the classic debate of which came first when talking about the egg. Well, in the case of bun feet there is no question. It was not the egg, and to my knowledge, there isn't a chicken bun foot (hmmm, maybe we should create one). Anyway, the little Non Fluted Bun Foot was first on the scene. But, cracking its way into bun foot lore very soon thereafter was the Egg Bun Foot. One of the oldest items of shape on Earth is the egg and designers were quick to place it within the family of Bun Feet. Today's Egg Bun Foot remains virtually unchanged. The pure egg design is still one of the top sellers. It may not have been first, but it makes up for it in style and familiarity.

The Club Bun Foot is quite a remarkable little bun foot. It, after all, is quit bulbous at the bottom and then more shapely as it gets closer to the items perched upon it. Unlike most other bun feet that are more reminiscent of well known items such as apples, eggs, fluted and non-fluted rounds, the Club Bun Foot gives a sense of stability to any item it upholds. The pot-bellied, if you will, little foot is quite at home adorning some of the finest furniture and cabinetry in the world. It has formed quite a 'club' of its own with some of the world's most treasured items being supported by its remarkable, yet sleek, strength.

You know what I like about the club bun foot? It's that it looks like a regular non-fluted bun foot but it's got that extra little concave section at the top. I like that. I think it gives this little bun foot a unique style that sometimes makes the difference in designing and building the 'perfect' piece instead of just an 'okay' piece. It's like women's shoes (and I know I'm treading on thin ice here). Just about any pair will do as far as protecting the feet, etc., but you've got to have just the right one to go with that particular outfit. That's what makes our ladies so beautiful and so admired! (How'd I do at getting out of that predicament?)

More ornate than a Tulip Bun Foot, the English Country Bun Foot is just a smidgen on the uppity side. The extra plateau near the zenith of its circumference makes this English Country Bun Foot swell with pride. "How could the Tulip Bun Foot dare to compare itself to me?" questions the English Country Bun Foot. "For everyone knows that I am superior in every way," it boasts. If your perfect project is in need of a superior bun foot with an attitude, then the English Country Bun Foot makes the perfect foundation.

Not many bun feet have a small pad at the bottom. I've found that sometimes this is very useful. There are times when you want to hammer on a felt tip or maybe times when you think it's necessary to drill out the bottom and install a roller. With other bun feet these two techniques just don't look so good. However, with the 4" English Country Bun Foot, that is a perfect execution of the product. Of course, this bun foot just looks great in its own right as well.

The Squat Bun Foot is perhaps the most used bun foot out there today. With its rotund little belly and its curvy top, one might think of this little bun foot as a heavenly object. However heavenly it is to you, just know that this bun foot can transform the most mundane item into a beautiful classic that you can be proud to say came from your workshop.

When you think of the word "squat," what image does that word conjure in your mind? Well, for me, it reminds me of when I started playing football. I was told that to squat and then lean over - putting my knuckles on the ground to brace myself - was the perfect football stance. Oddly enough, the Medium Squat Bun Foot compares in that sense. It is stocky and low to the ground, and it strengthens the overall team. Of course, in the furniture world the team is the base, case, and crown. The Medium Squat Bun Feet make up the base and, therefore, anchor the entire team. I do know one thing: if you choose the Medium Squat Bun Foot to be a part of your team, you will definitely win.

Contributed by Charles Head, Beautiful Interiors

Climbing from the nether regions of almost extinction to the role of almost-best-seller, the rotund little Round Bun Foot continues to amaze itself. You also will be amazed as you complete your project with this simple foot. This version is 4 1/2 inches tall.

When I was building my granddaughter's furniture for her nursery, I contemplated several different designs for the feet. I searched and searched before finally giving the 4" Round Bun Foot a second glance. It's a good thing I did. This whimsical little foot was the perfect choice for my little "Boo-boo's" furniture. The combination of the white paint, pastel artwork, and the 4-inch Round Bun Foot make each piece of her nursery collection a keepsake.

Contributed by Charles Head, Beautiful Interiors.

The Brunswick Bun Foot is the most shapely of all bun feet. Without any pretensions of grooves, impressions, plateaus or coves, the Brunswick Bun Foot displays a sleek but shapely appearance. Just as Marilyn Monroe wooed the crowds in the '50s and '60s before the 'Twiggy' revolution began, the shapely Brunswick Bun Foot has remained an icon with beauty and grace and substantial curves.

The Brunswick Bun Foot is the most shapely of all bun feet. Without any pretensions of grooves, impressions, plateaus or coves, the Brunswick Bun Foot displays a sleek but shapely appearance. Just as Marilyn Monroe wooed the crowds in the '50s and '60s before the 'Twiggy' revolution began, the shapely Brunswick Bun Foot has remained an icon with beauty and grace and substantial curves.

Standing in this corner at a height of 4 and one-half inches is the tallest competitor in this division. His massive girth combined with his overall height is that of a true champion. This chip 'off the ol' block' can throw a one-two-three-four punch at your next challenge and promises to be the last one standing. Don't keep your heavyweight on the ropes. Allow the 4-1/2 inch Brunswick Bun Foot to be a contender for you.

How many times have I needed a 2" ball for a project? The last time I needed one I was building an entertainment unit for a child's room. We made it look like an old apartment building with cracked stucco on the front and sides. It had a wood shingle hip roof with brick chimneys. On the corners of the top near the widow's walk, we needed 2" wooden balls to emulate the big concrete spheres that topped our actual specimen - the building that we were trying to re-create. We searched and searched for wooden balls, but to no avail. We had to opt out of using that particular design. If only Osborne Wood Products had them in their line back then...

Contributed by Charles Head, Beautiful Interiors

The size of this wooden ball is roughly between a baseball and a softball. It is perfectly suited for use as a decorative ornament. I actually used five of them (you know, in design they always say to use odd numbers) in a row. They were brightly painted different colors and made up the ornamentation for the headboard of my granddaughter's bed. It sort of reminded me of the old baby bed that I had as a child, with the colorful balls that I could slide up and down on a rod when I stood up in that bed. Ahh, good times.

Contributed by Charles Head, Beautiful Interiors