WEDGE CHAIR PREVIEW

Well, here is the long awaited WEDGE Chair (Whew!). As noted earlier, the somewhat futuristic design (Bauhaus meets Star Trek?) is intended to compliment my WEDGE dining table. After several last minute mods, I'm pleased with the result visually and the construction is quite robust. Most importantly, everyone who has sat in it so far thinks it is very comfortable.

These things just take time to sort out. After thinking I'm all done with a design (having done dozens of sketches and models and a full scale mock up ) final prototyping will usually point out a glitch or two which require adjusting something. In this case I fussed quite a bit with the size and shape of the back panels and brass trim. This shop photo shows the raw chair before any finish has been applied. I intend to offer this item in solid American Walnut & ebonized Walnut. ....Rich

Stunning Material

While hunting for wood at a local supplier, I hit the jackpot. What you are looking at is a plank of quilted big leaf or western maple. This is an American hardwood that is native to the Pacific northwest. A very small percentage has this pattern of figuring, making it quite rare. I have never heard a convincing explanation of its cause, but who cares? This stuff is gorgeous! I was able to have a good look at its color and figure by wetting with a splash of alcohol (bottom). The wavy structure of this wood makes it tricky to work, but oh so rewarding. This piece should work out nicely for my "Ellipse" coffee table aprons and book-matched top. More as it develops. -Rich

Latest Offerings

work is progressing nicely on two new items. first, i am creating a WEDGE chair to match the popular WEDGE table - see attached photos. this project has kept me busy with its many unusual angles. -i should have paid better attention in geometry class! seriously, seeing a result is quite rewarding for me here. the first examples will be available in ebonized walnut, with other woods to follow.

also near completion is the ELIPSE coffee table - a mate to the existing ELIPSE side table. after making a 1/4 scale model (3 inches = 1 foot) that i'm satisfied with, i have built a full size mock up in spruce, with which i can make some final design tweaks before cutting into clear cherry.

look for both on my website this fall. - rich