Custom Chairs

I designed these Morris chairs in Greene and Greene style and built them out of mahogany, walnut, and ebony, using all wood joinery.  With the limited tools I had at the time, it was a good exercise in pattern making, order of operations, and even creative (sketchy) use of power tools.

I wanted to make a pair of functional/beautiful chairs that would reflect the unhealthy obsession I had with Greene and Greene at the time.  I read books and did drawings and mulled over things.  I made lots of jigs and took my time (a year, to be exact), and ended up with what is probably my favorite result.  Many hours have been spent in these chairs, many problems solved...in proportion to the amount of bourbon that was consumed, of course.

Every joint is a thru-tenon with a draw bored dowel, finished with a square pillowed ebony plug.  The square plug has always been my favorite detail of this style of woodwork, but I don't know if I'd choose to do it again due to the work involved in shaping each plug and fitting them tightly.