I seem to have developed a bit of a taste for bling in my older-age - not very well timed since I’ll soon be a pensioner and probably shan’t have the cash to indulge it. This little cabinet houses a collection of cufflinks, watches, bracelets and other fripperies that were taking up space on the dressing-chest top. To give an idea of scale, the combination-square at the side is 12” (305mm) long.

It’s in European Ash and African Padauk - the latter being a seductive but deceptively dangerous species. Its brittle grain produces almost microscopic needle-sharp splinters that like to break out in clusters, potentially ruining visual joints like dovetails before separating like little cluster-bombs and settling in the nearest flesh. And if the dust is as evil as it smells, it’s probably toxic, so thank goodness for dust-extraction and ambient air cleaners.

Finally, if you want to retain that lovely red colour (which is the only reason for undergoing the mental and physical pain) you’ll need to use a finish that includes good UV stabilisers - and even then I’d advise keeping it away from direct sunlight - or it’ll turn a much less attractive turd-brown over time, which renders all the trouble a tad pointless.

So Padauk is not a timber I’d recommend unless you’re well-equipped with skill, confidence, tools and technology - something like Walnut (see the Anniversary Jewellery Cabinet) will give a superb contrast with a lot less hassle.

The interior fitting out is done with felt foam and Copydex adhesive - something that has a rather chequered history in our family as an honoured patriarch hoarded foam ‘just in case it might come in useful’, and was known to carry out DIY repairs on clothing with Copydex glue.

I like to think I’ve done him proud.