Mid Century Modern Chair Help!

By twenty4play83

Mahogany Chairs

I fell in love with these chairs as soon as I saw them online. The only draw back is they are over $300 a piece, ouch! I have been brainstorming a DIY version that would hopefully cost below $100 each using 3x3 lumber for the bases, smaller lumber for the back rest supports, and a custom cut piece of 4" high density foam for the cushion. The hang up comes when trying to reproduce the backrest itself. I am stumped, any ideas? It looks like a solid piece of wood in which a curve has been sanded or cut. I would love opinons on how I could recreate it. I have thought of salvaging a wooden backrest from another chair but I am not sure of scale and thats really where my ideas end. Ha. Help my fellow DIY lovers!

Tagged:
mid-century-mod

Did you like this article?

October 29, 2007

6 comments | 404 views |

twenty4play83's blog (1 post)

Subscribe to this blog
Member since: 08/16/07
About: I work for the New England Culinary Institute in Vermont working in residence life. I was a...

Comments

» All comments

joye68

October 31, 2007

If there is a Habitat Resale Store (or Warehouse) in the area, you could look there for pieces of laminated wood blocks. Occasionally you can find some sort of butcher's block. Sometimes they can get pricey, but it may be worth your while.

I think a mortis & tenon would work for the legs if you can find a block to attach them to the bottom. The back wood pieces look like they are thick wood slats. I suppose that if you wanted to change the style a bit, you could use turned wood; or possibly some sort of stainless steel rods.

I kinda like Mod's idea about possibly upholstering the backs or using a weave.

ModHomeEcTeacher

October 30, 2007

You could build the frame of the backs, stain them and then either web, pad and upholster the backs or weave something to make a back that would be different, but possibly cooler and more custom.

twenty4play83

October 30, 2007

I can totally do it for under $100. Home Depot has 3"x3" solid wood posts for like like $25 for 12 feet or something. I haven't decided how I was going to join the pieces. One thought I had was to use dowels and do a peg system. Again all my ideas are preliminary!

gabe.tippery

October 29, 2007

* "God" = "Good"... I really didnt mean to put a religious slant on that typo.

gabe.tippery

October 29, 2007

I second the bandsaw suggestion. Just a little style note... while I agree that these are beautiful chairs, and I could be mistaken, but I do not believe these to be "Mid-Century Modern" in style. If I had to guess, I would say some take on Eastern Modern. God luck with the build, and get much sandpaper. The finish is what will make or break this DIY.

Chrisjob

October 29, 2007

I totally applaud your willingness to try. Some thoughts: are you going to stain or paint the chair? I think a 3x3 in a hardwood that beautiful is going to burst your budget $100 alone, if you can find one. How do you plant to join the legs to the seat? Pocket screws? Mortis and tenon?

The backs can be cut with a bandsaw. The back rest supports look a little curved? Are they? The cushions should be easy enough.

Do you have a link to the original chair?