Author: wrightwindsors

I have made benchmade Windsor Chairs since 1987 from a small studio in Berea, Kentucky. I make each chair one at a time using the traditional hand tools that were typical of chair makers in the 18th century; such as spoke shaves, draw knives, travishers and hand planes to name a few. My studio is a dust free and quiet environment conducive to thoughtful detail work. In nearly 30 years my chairs have been placed in countless homes and collections throughout the country. My chairs have been exhibited in major gallery's and furniture shows. For 25 plus years I have taught Windsor Chair skills in various private wood working schools around the country, namely the Mark Adams school of wood working for 10 plus years. Additionally I was the head of the Furniture making program at the Kentucky School of Craft from 2004 until its closure due to educational cutbacks in 2010. In the last several years I could be found in the studio enjoying the pleasure of making Windsor chairs. I have since moved myself and my Studio to Kezar Falls Village in Parsonsfield, Maine.

The Wood I Use and Why

The wood that is used in my chair making is unique to the part within the chair. For the backs I am looking for a wood that has a high tensile strength, the ability to be bent into arms, bows and crest without breaking and has the ability to be shaped into delicate forms that are light yet strong without compromising structure integrity. To fulfill this my favorite is white oak, it retains all the requirements for the chair backs. My preference for seats is white pine for its properties of ease of shaping and again is light and strong. Good wide planks of white pine are plentiful here in Maine, not to mention the wonderful aroma that fills my studio as I work with it. For the turned legs, stretchers and arm posts, hard sugar maple or birch are what I prefer for the ability to turn crisp beads and deep cut coves featured in my turnings. Again a wood of superior strength is needed of which maple and birch provide. So there it is, a short summary of the woods I use and why…

A little history

Since 1987 I have been a Windsor Chairmaker, working in the traditional manner that a shop from the 18th century would employ. In this historical perspective every aspect of chairmaking, from the design style, tools used, the choice of woods, the joinery considerations, the methods of construction and finish are all evident in the completed chair. A chair with its uniqueness of line, beauty in functional form and exhibiting an appeal of elegance since they appeared in the early 18th century.

Perhaps no other chair has garnered such a reverence, perhaps rightfully so. All of which caught my attention some 30 years ago. When you look deep within the chair, you soon discover why these chairs are so unique especially from a woodworkers perspective. First there is the whole method of construction involving the few and basic hand tools used. The drawknife and spokeshave that cut off excess wood rapidly yet can shape the intricate arms and spindles that make up the back of the chair. Seats are shaped into their comfortable form by the Inshave and Travisher. Chisels that carve the volutes in the crest and knuckle handhold. Tools at the lathe shape rough rived wood into elegant legs, stretchers and arm posts.

New Chapter

I call this first blog ” New Chapter” because I have just moved to Kezar Falls Village in Parsonsfield, Maine. I am beginning to set up my new studio and am excited to begin working in my new location. It is not really work to me but my passion. Pictures will be a large part of my blog with explanations of each one. So off to the studio….