furniture design

Chairs seem simple. But I found that making a chair is a distinct craft. Most furniture is a variation on a box. While a chair is most definitely not a box.

It forms to the human body and also endures more abuse than most other furniture. A well made, comfortable, and beautiful chair is a treasure. Most designers can be identified by a chair.

The Lounge Chair

In March 2026, I set out to make my first chair. And I understand why most woodworkers don’t make chairs. They are hard and risky and subjective.

You can spend the time, perfect every joint, and still end up with a useless piece. And unlike other furniture, a chair is not rightly judged by a photo. It only succeeds when a person is seated on it.

The Idea

A chair’s form changes based on the occasion. Eating, working, or relaxing demand different outcomes. For this project, I wanted to engage with the modern culture of relaxing. It needed to be just comfortable enough without promoting sleep or sloth. It should comfort the body, but enlist the mind.

I settled on making the main feature a wood seat. I wanted to feel the center of my body sink into the chair, so I recede from my surroundings. This is what I want to achieve when I relax. If I can disengage from the place I am seated, then I can focus inside myself.

The DEsign and the Making

I started with a concept for the back and seat. Then I worked how to engineer how to support the human body in space. The structure acts like a cradle to position the seat at the right height and angle off the ground. When seated, your center settles to the back but you do not feel reclined.

As the build photos show, I wondered from this sketch in many ways as I explored materials and proportions as they related to the human form. The seat is 17 inches deep and the back is 19 inches tall at a 110° angle. At the front it is 17 inches off the ground and reclined at a 108° angle. The seat is 20 inches wide.

In Situ

It is a large, imposing chair requiring a lot of negative space. Positioned in a corner nook, it works best near a small drinking table or low coffee table. My choice of materials contrasts the softness of a dark wood like cherry or walnut for the seat against a rigid architectural material like oak for the frame. The seat will get a nice patina over time and wear, and small dents will add character.

The Result

My first chair is over engineered, but that feels expected. It sits better than expected. The next version will use less material and complexity.