The current generation of woodworkers and furniture makers is made up of plenty of talented folks. One of these skilled professionals is Jon Peters. Over the years, Jon has created pieces that bring together aesthetics and functionality. He leverages modern solutions like SOSS concealed hinges for cabinets and other furniture, allowing him to create durable and beautiful pieces.
At SOSS, we want our readers to get to know Jon Peters. Below, we’ll discuss his design principles, his methods, and other aspects of his furniture-making process. That way, you can apply his techniques and methods for upcoming projects. Let’s dive in.
Who Is Jon Peters?
Jon Peters is a woodworker and furniture maker who has been in the industry for more than 30 years. He is an experienced craftsman, and he’s created plenty of design guides and tutorials across various channels.
Aside from being a woodworker, Jon is an artist. He primarily paints still-life works and sceneries. As a testament to his skill, he had his popular gallery called Laurel Tracey Gallery. Now, Jon offers painting tutorials to help beginners begin learning about the craft.
Most of Jon’s work today focuses on woodworking. He currently has a YouTube channel called Jon Peters – Longview Woodworking. As of writing, he is close to reaching one million followers — an impressive feat considering how his niche is not usually one that’s conducive to amassing a following.
When you visit Jon’s channel, you’ll find tutorials, process videos, and other types of clips. His content revolves around woodworking. However, you’ll also see other videos on equipment use, painting, and even discussions about artworks made from wood.
Jon has been posting videos for 14 years now, and he has dozens of videos that have more than a million views. His practical advice, conversational approach, and outstanding output have made Jon one of the bastions of modern woodworking on YouTube.
Jon Peters’s Woodworking Design Principles
There are a few reasons why Jon’s YouTube channel is so popular. He creates easy-to-follow instructional videos, has a friendly demeanor, and doesn’t follow the trend of click-baiting viewers. However, Jon’s main pull as a content creator and craftsman is his design principles, creating furniture with a functional yet aesthetic appearance.
Durability
Jon aims to create pieces that are durable, first and foremost. There’s no use in creating something that only lasts for a few years. Hence, Jon always gravitates to systems, materials, and methods that help him build durable furniture. His pieces must be able to withstand everyday use as well as wear and tear.
To ensure durability, Jon emphasizes using the right techniques and materials. His videos usually show the best joinery techniques as well as ideal fasteners for specific applications.
Visual Minimalism
Another core design principle Jon follows is visual minimalism. This aesthetic is evident in all of his videos, with his works featuring uncluttered and simple silhouettes. Through this principle, Jon can achieve two things.
- Uncomplicated Tutorials: The simple designs of Jon’s works make his videos more approachable to beginners and casual audiences. Make no mistake — Jon has created plenty of complicated works. However, the minimalist approach allows Jon to showcase the basics while also highlighting the importance of good technique.
- Timeless Designs: Jon’s uncluttered designs have a classic look that makes the pieces suitable for various interior design themes.
Functional Is Aesthetic, Aesthetic Is Functional
Jon has emphasized in several videos that aesthetics should follow functionality. These two are inherently intertwined with one another. However, Jon’s philosophy prioritizes function as he believes that the functional aspects of furniture contribute to the aesthetics. In a similar vein, Jon thinks that aesthetics should be functional. Any added detail or feature that improves the “appeal” of a piece should also play a part in enhancing usability and ergonomics.
How Jon Peters Incorporates SOSS Concealed Hinges
In several of Jon’s past projects, he’s used SOSS concealed hinges. These hinges allowed him to create pieces that follow his design principles. In particular, Jon values the invisible hinges for how they can hide swinging openings. This feature allows for the minimalist yet sophisticated designs of his works. Here’s how Jon incorporates SOSS hinges in his projects.
- Finding the right hinge: The most essential step is finding the right type of hinge for the project. Jon understands that SOSS has a wide selection of concealed hinges, so he makes sure to find the ones with specifications that fit his requirements.
- Mark and measure: Jon takes the time to measure the areas where the hinges will go. He uses manufacturer-provided guides for the most accurate holes.
- Drilling the mortices: After making the measurements, Jon drills the mortices for the hinges. He utilizes a router, helping ensure speed and convenience at the same time.
- Installing the concealed hinge: Jon then proceeds to install the invisible hinges, taking care to ensure a secure fit. He will also test and make adjustments as needed to see if the hinges are working seamlessly and as he intended.
Best Practices for Adopting Concealed Hinges Into Making Furniture
Concealed hinges have become essential in Jon’s projects. You can also start adopting these systems to create uncluttered designs similar to Jon’s. Here are our best tips.
Familiarize Yourself With SOSS Hinge Types
At SOSS, we have a huge catalog of invisible hinges for various applications. Some are ideal for heavy swinging openings, others are great for fire doors. We also have hinges made of select alloys that make them ideal for specific uses. Choosing the hinge with the right metal, dimensions, and purpose allows you to succeed in your project and avoid wasting money on reorders.
Identify the Types of Furniture That Require Invisible Hinges
You need to pair an invisible hinge system with the right kind of furniture. Using the appropriate hinges allows you to create swinging doors or openings that can handle the demand. For example, you’ll want to use our Hercules hinges for swinging bookcases. That way, the mechanism won’t fail even with several books on the shelf. Here are other examples of furniture that benefit from our invisible hinges.
- Cabinets: Smaller hinges like the Model 114 or Model 205 are ideal for cabinet doors since these can fit thinner wood or metal.
- Hidden Doors: Our wrap-around hinges are great for the doors of panic rooms, concealed pantries, and other rooms where you want complete concealment.
- Swinging Bookcases: Heavy-duty hinges like the Hercules invisible hinge are ideal for swinging doors with a lot of weight, like a false bookcase.
Use a Router for Mortises
For accuracy, speed, and convenience, we recommend using a router when creating a mortise for the invisible hinges. This is what Jon uses in his videos. Using a jig is also beneficial. Even if you have some inaccuracies during measurement, chisel jigs are templated and usually result in the most precise mortices. Whatever tool you use, make sure to follow manufacturer instructions for the best, most secure fit.
Wrapping Up: Using Concealed Hinges for Cabinets
Jon’s minimalist yet highly functional designs wouldn’t be possible without using SOSS invisible hinges. These products have helped him create pieces that are clean and uncluttered without sacrificing aesthetics. The results are timeless cabinets, tables, and other furniture that look deceptively simple yet highly functional.
For those who want to create designs and furniture that follow a similar aesthetic, choose SOSS invisible hinges. These products are the proven partners of contemporary furniture makers, and they will deliver the results that you want.
FAQs
What makes Jon Peters special?
Jon is one of the most followed YouTube woodworkers, amassing more than 970,000 subscribers as of writing. He uses the knowledge he gained over three decades to create furniture that’s functional and aesthetic. By following his philosophy of functional design, he can create high-quality pieces that are also aesthetically pleasing.
How are invisible hinges used in minimalist furniture?
Invisible hinges are the products to use when creating seamless designs. Since the hinges will be concealed, you can create unbroken lines that create a pleasing appearance. Adding molding or trimming can also completely hide the gap, creating a truly hidden door or entrance.
Which invisible hinge do I need?
It depends on your project. If you’re creating a swinging bookcase, then a hinge that can carry heavy loads is ideal. A wrap-around hinge, on the other hand, is suitable if you’re planning to add molding to the swinging door.