Chairs thread

[Brian Holcombe]

Here are some of my favorite chairs;

http://www.finnjuhl.com/wp-content/gallery/model109/model109-1181-01.jpg

http://p2.la-img.com/369/17801/6027192_1_l.jpg

http://p2.la-img.com/251/8650/1623100_1_l.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-upre6BcnuSI/Ta0E4bqOslI/AAAAAAAAAc4/15PPJh21JhQ/s1600/NV45.jpg

http://www.themethodcase.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/hans-wegner-wishbone-chair-1950-themethodcase-20.jpg

http://www.chairblog.eu/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Hans-Wegner-Valet-Chair.jpg

http://www.flodeau.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Hans-J.-Wegner-for-PP-Mobler-Swivel-Chair-flodeau.com-07.jpg

http://img.edilportale.com/products/prodotti-39990-vrel2cf5b11dd3954ab8b6ab2c116154483c.jpg

http://www.orangeandbrown.co.uk/wp-content/themes/ikudos_cart/images/products/523_01.jpg

[Brian Holcombe]

http://p2.la-img.com/369/17801/6027284_1_l.jpg

http://www.design7.be/uploads/photos/350x350/album_102_PK11_Kjaerholm.jpg

http://www.archello.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/header_detail_large/product/media/Mogens%20Koch%20Folding%20chair,%20mahogany.jpg

http://centuryhouseinc.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/thumbnail/500x490/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/c/h/ch28t_back_cropped.jpg

http://www.miliashop.com/55-176-thickbox_default/522-tokyo-outdoor-chaise-lounge-cassina-.jpg

[Brian Holcombe]

http://shard2.1stdibs.us.com/archivesE/upload/8903/47_13/32/3_l.jpg

http://www.huntington.org/uploadedImages/Files/images/maloof_hornbackchair.JPG

[Malcolm Schweizer]

You have a very modern taste. My favorite chair of all time came up when researching cane back chairs, and this was listed as a "Thonet rocking chaise." No chair thread would be complete without this amazing bentwood rocking recliner. I took that to mean Michael Thonet. When I get to Heaven I intend to look him up.

[Brian Holcombe]

http://www.huntsearch.gla.ac.uk/artimages/crm/41201.jpg

http://blog.crmsociety.com/image.axd?picture=2010%2F9%2Fwillow-chair.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6091/6294497858_165952e186_z.jpg

http://media.vam.ac.uk/media/thira/collection_images/2011EX/2011EX8092.jpg

[Brian Holcombe]

That is for certain, and I've been sticking to wooden chairs since this is WW forum, but there is a ton of metal stuff I enjoy also.

Love the Thonet rocker, and that's the first of the rocking chaise that I've seen, it's awesome.

[Zach Dillinger]

The only chair I have ever been interested in, well this and Jefferson's campeche chair.

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[Malcolm Schweizer]

I plan to build a replica of that rocker one day, but I just got the plans for a Mora clock into which I will place Clayton Boyer's "Simplicity" wood clock, and that will keep me busy for a while (along with teaching a kayak building class on Saturdays at the moment.) I don't have access to proper woods for a bentwood, so I have some searching to do.

By the way, I LOVE the chair that converts to a clothes tree. I have a perfect place for one of those and I just might have enough mahogany lying around to make one, or it might be a good project for the remainder of a douglass fir sailboat mast that I salvaged. Thanks for sharing that.

[Judson Green]

http://www.miliashop.com/55-176-thickbox_default/522-tokyo-outdoor-chaise-lounge-cassina-.jpg

My nephews would DESTROY that!

[Mel Fulks]

Those Mc Intosh things make the Puritan church pews seem like Barcaloungers!

[Brian Holcombe]

That would be impressive on both counts. That is a whole lotta bent beechwood!

The valet chair is by Hans Wegner.

[Brian Holcombe]

Hah! I'm amazed that it is meant to survive out doors.

[Malcolm Schweizer]

First off, this was edited using my finger as a stylus on the iPad, so it is crude, but I have already been asked by my sister-in-law to build the valet chair. I decided it needs four legs and another piece in back that goes around the center piece so you can hang the pants on the back. Looks like I will be building two- one for her and one for me. I hate making two because it's twice as hard as one.

hmmmm. I dunno. Maybe the three-legged version is better. I do prefer a rear pants hanger.

[Brian Holcombe]

It's likely three legs for good reason, so I would keep that in mind. Also worth noting that Hans Wegner built actual prototypes, by hand, of most of the chairs he designed.

He must have really enjoyed using a spoke shave.

[Karl Andersson]

My mom has a whole dining set in teak very similar to the first chair you show; bought from a store called "Scan" (as in Scandinavia) in about 1971 - back when dad couldn't decide whether to wear his ascot or a turtleneck dickie with his blazer...after growing up with all the trendy 60's-70's "moderne", my tastes run more towards Zach's, unless I could get some of the milk bar furniture from Clockwork Orange (but I assume that's fiberglass, not wood). I don't dare post an image...

[Judson Green]

It's likely three legs for good reason, so I would keep that in mind.

Jacket would be open and possible getting wrinkled with four legs. Clever design.

[Derek Cohen]

Many thanks for posting these, Brian. I like many of those chairs.

The other Wegner design I have been tempted by is the folding chair ...

http://www.danish-furniture.com/images/hans-wegner-folding-chair.jpg

In the near future I plan to build a few Windsor chairs. What interests me is to create contemporary versions. Jake Darvall (here in Oz) is doing so already ...

http://www.woodworkforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=315550&d=1401702025


Regards from Perth

Derek

[Jim Matthews]

Brian Boggs got my purchase of approval.

Better to buy from current makers, before the collectors do.

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[Jessica Pierce-LaRose]

Brian Boggs got my purchase of approval.

Better to buy from current makers, before the collectors do.

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I wish I could afford to do so - I love Brian's work.

[Brian Holcombe]

Many thanks for posting these, Brian. I like many of those chairs.

The other Wegner design I have been tempted by is the folding chair ...

http://www.danish-furniture.com/images/hans-wegner-folding-chair.jpg

In the near future I plan to build a few Windsor chairs. What interests me is to create contemporary versions. Jake Darvall (here in Oz) is doing so already ...

http://www.woodworkforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=315550&d=1401702025


Regards from Perth

Derek

I really enjoy that chair as well and the chaise lounge version of it. Wegners stuff continues to keep me intrigued, it's very detailed and always refined.

Jake Darvall's chairs are nice, they seem like a mix of organic modernism and the windsor style.

I've had the most difficult time attempting to find a footing for designing a chair, I'm pouring over historic chairs in attempt to find something that calls out to me. In tables, casework and architectural details I've been able to define my own personal style, but not yet in chairs.

[Prashun Patel]

Derek, check out joe grahams work as well. Lennox workshops. I too am a big fan of modern takes on windsors.

[Steve Voigt]

Brian and all,

Really nice thread. Lots of great images have piqued my interest. Thanks!

Like some of you, I'm interested in modernist takes on the Windsor. I'm currently trying to build 4 of them, though I may be dead before I finish!

Here are some of my sources of inspiration, from Galbert, Nakashima, and Buchanan:

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[Brian Holcombe]

Would love to see your progress!

To continue the windsor chair, here is Hans Wegner's peacock chair, which is his take on the windsor;

http://madsjarlfeldt.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/paafuglestol12350472.jpg

http://33.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcshf2yAza1qe17w2o1_1280.jpg

In addition to the wishbone chair, he did the 'China' chair which has an even more direct influence by han dynasty chairs;

http://shard2.1stdibs.us.com/archivesE/upload//mods/0812/U12082189031116/8903_1345620519_2.jpg

Continuing on the Windsor chairs;

Paul McCobb

http://shard1.1stdibs.us.com/archivesE/upload/8474/03_14/org_img_5201/IMG_5201_l.jpg

Fritz Hennigsen

http://shard4.1stdibs.us.com/archivesE/upload//mods/0512/U1205298903950/8903_1338341362_3.jpg

[Bob Glenn]

As mentioned before, Peter Galbert, in addition to making fine traditional Windsors, has expanded on the traditional Windsor design with very eye pleasing designs. Another thought on building chairs. Most furniture must be built with just three things in mind, utility, strength and good design. The chair maker has to add one additional atribute........comfort.

Nice thread, keep them coming. Bob

[Malcolm Schweizer]

I wanted to build this chair when my daughter was born:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZfvHSIW3G0

but instead I built a cradle boat. Here is a pic of her in the rocker that my grandfather built around 1920 and behind it the cradle I built for her (and a surfboard I built for the wife). The rocker my grandfather built is probably my favorite chair just due to the history of it. Anyway, the rocker in the link above is a masterpiece, as is the original by Maloof, of course! I was actually searching for the Maloof when I found that video. Just thought I would share it.

[Malcolm Schweizer]

These Bentwood chairs stood up to much abuse as we were children. I only wish I had known then what a treasure they were.

[Tony Shea]

This is a great thread. I have recently become very interested in chairs and am currently making a Brian Boggs inspired greenwood chair out of a fallen Red Oak outside my workplace. Splitting the pieces is about as far as I've got but have had to pause to build up a quick shave horse. I also agree that Peter Galbert has been a huge inspiration especially his more modern take on chair design. His rockers are some the most aesthetically appealing chairs I've seen. I have had the chance to sit in one and it truly is the most comfortable solid wood chairs I've had the pleasure to sit in.

295093

[Brian Holcombe]

I wanted to build this chair when my daughter was born:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZfvHSIW3G0

but instead I built a cradle boat. Here is a pic of her in the rocker that my grandfather built around 1920 and behind it the cradle I built for her (and a surfboard I built for the wife). The rocker my grandfather built is probably my favorite chair just due to the history of it. Anyway, the rocker in the link above is a masterpiece, as is the original by Maloof, of course! I was actually searching for the Maloof when I found that video. Just thought I would share it.

Very cool! I have one on the way and my wife has taken to maloof's adage of 'babies don't wait!'.


This is a great thread. I have recently become very interested in chairs and am currently making a Brian Boggs inspired greenwood chair out of a fallen Red Oak outside my workplace. Splitting the pieces is about as far as I've got but have had to pause to build up a quick shave horse. I also agree that Peter Galbert has been a huge inspiration especially his more modern take on chair design. His rockers are some the most aesthetically appealing chairs I've seen. I have had the chance to sit in one and it truly is the most comfortable solid wood chairs I've had the pleasure to sit in.

295093

I like that ladder back chair, in fact the ladder back style in general has been growing on me as of late. I like bogg's work in general, he has an original take on classic designs.

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Congratulations, Brian! If this is your first, let me warn you- don't plan any projects for the first year! I am loving every second of fatherhood.

[Brian Holcombe]

Lol! Thank you! This one is my first, I'm excited and already wondering how soon before they can apprentice.

I am certainly doomed as I have quite a few projects in the design stages, itching to move forward.