Another Danish Modern Chair #10: Finished!

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This is part 10 in a 10 part series: Another Danish Modern Chair

  1. Introduction
...
  1. Final Glue-Up
  2. Finished!

Except not "finished."  I should say, it's functional.

I did the test lacing with the chair on the floor.  That was a bit hard on my back.  I got smarter and moved the chair to the MFT this time.


A strap clamp kept it from getting bumped off.


I was an old hand at lacing this time. 










I think I may want a smaller back cushion - it's looking a little oversized.  But it will do for now.

Thanks for following the build!  I'll post some outdoor shots in the project post.

18 Comments

looks damn good to me ross, and comfortable !

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

Congratulations on completing another interesting, well-executed project. It does look cool from the back.
That looks wonderful Ross, a graceful design that would be comfortable. Enjoyed following the build process.

Main Street to the Mountains

Thanks, guys.  It was a fun build.
Wow Ross - you have done it again!

Have been off woodworking forums for a while (too much useless items, the same ideas repeated endlessly) but thought that I would have a look this morning. And there, on the front page THIS chair, my trust in humanity has been restored.

Have newer seen that design of chair, you are probably right that it is an attribution to Kofoed-Larsen, not an actual design of his. But regardless a great looking chair - and a projekt well worth making. Airy, light, elegant, as we like it. 

Especially elegant is the discrete and well thought out way the paracord is inset in grooves, lovely detail!

I like your approach of making outdoor furniture of classic designs out of the need for room to accomodate the furniture. Sign of true appreciation of great design.

And these blogs of yours are getting more elaborate and detailed. A pleasure to read and a good source of information. Will be coming back to this later to make as a reference for future projects.


Great work, much appreciated!

"The good chair is a task one is never completely done with" Hans Wegner

Ty, you always have such generous comments, and I appreciate your kind words.  I have noticed your absence around here and wondered what you have been up to.  I'm glad you popped in and hope to see some of your work show up in the near future.

About the chair - it doesn't seem to resemble Kofod-Larsen's other chairs, which are are more rounded - less angular.  But it does show up in an old furniture store advertisement as made by Selig, so it would have been made in Denmark.  It's an interesting chair, but very elusive if you try to track it down.
Selig was not Danish but an American company and it seems that they both imported furniture from around the world and had its own production in the US: https://mrbigglesworthy.co.nz/designers/83/selig 
Having had a second look at the chair you linked to it looks like it was made using a dark stain, someting that was very rare i DK and looked upon as cheap and "poor craftsmanship". That, and that the design is so far from Kofod-Larsen makes me think it is probably not Danish. So for the origin you probably will find it to be from the US or similar, most likely with another name on it. Good luck with the research!

I hope yo will keep exploring good modernist design in this way. Or, perhaps if you feel adventourus, have a go at making your own designs?

"The good chair is a task one is never completely done with" Hans Wegner

At this moment I am prearing 2 weeks at my favorite summer school in Sweden (the place I have made most of my chairs). This year I think I will go after making a sort of lounge chair - or a slightly wider and dining room chair. Something that take up a bit more space and is a bit more comfortable. 
Was thinking about using this as an inspiration: 
https://www.scp.co.uk/products/masculo-lounge-chair-wood-base?variant=33146501660752
ANd: https://koma_co.stores.jp/items/5e23cadffa03d748279d9875

Will probably go with a shaped, wooden seat, turned legs and have the back+arm rest be the centre of attention. probably made in oak. What are your thoughts?

"The good chair is a task one is never completely done with" Hans Wegner

Ty - thanks for setting me straight on Selig.  I had assumed that it was a Danish company since they brought so many Danish designs to the States. 

I definitely am getting itchy to create design of my own, but there are so many mid-century designs that I really like that it's hard not to go down the replica path.  It's definitely in my future, though.

Of the two chairs you referenced, I definitely prefer the first one - Masculo.  It's easy to see Wegner's influence in its design - its consolidated back/arms look very much like the one on Wegner's office chair.  And the dining room chairs that you built have that flavor, as well.   I'll follow your chair build regardless of which direction you go.

Wegner's swivel chair.  I wish I worked in that office.  😁
Thank you for another well written blog. The lacing details are vary interesting!
I definitely am getting itchy to create design of my own, but there are so many mid-century designs that I really like that it's hard not to go down the replica path.  It's definitely in my future, though.

Would love to see what you come up with. Perhaps a special Ross-flavor of mid century modern?

Of the two chairs you referenced, I definitely prefer the first one - Masculo.  It's easy to see Wegner's influence in its design - its consolidated back/arms look very much like the one on Wegner's office chair.  And the dining room chairs that you built have that flavor, as well.   I'll follow your chair build regardless of which direction you go.

Yes, that is my favorite as well. And love the back rest on the swivel chair, so iconic. But that is allso the bigger challenge as I feel it is way too easy to be drawn into just copying that design feature, someting don´t like doing. Allso that would make it mostly Wegner´s chair, not mine. Will have to put on my Thinking Cap..

"The good chair is a task one is never completely done with" Hans Wegner

One day I'll be brave and design my own chair.  You're way ahead of me in that regard.  😀  I can't wait to see what you come up with.
My wife and I visited the Milwaukee Art Museum last week. Among other things, it has a large exhibition on 20th and 21st Century Design that includes several interesting chairs. When I saw this one, I immediately thought of Ross, and knew I had to take a few photos. Maybe they'll serve as inspiration for future projects. The collection highlights also contains more chair photos.



Ron - thanks for sharing the chair photos.  What a great exhibit that must have been.  The chair is definitely eye-catching.  It's funny that when you saw it, you thought of me, and when I saw it, I thought of Kaerlighedsbamsen and his bonfire chair.



 
It does bring to mind Kaerlighedbamsen’s chair. I can see how his chair could be comfortable. I have a harder time thinking the same of the Viking/harp chair.
Thank you for the thought Ross!
Having tryed both chairs I can contest that the Harp chair is realy comfortable

"The good chair is a task one is never completely done with" Hans Wegner

One day I'll be brave and design my own chair.  You're way ahead of me in that regard.  😀  I can't wait to see what you come up with.
Here´s the result: https://www.instagram.com/p/CvnHuXSoZQu/?img_index=1

"The good chair is a task one is never completely done with" Hans Wegner