Gardens Outdoor Fine Woodworking

Best blend of comfort

and easy construction

BY TOM BEGNAL

Best blend of comfort

and easy construction

Adirondack

Chair

T

his quintessentially American outdoor chair was born in

the early 1900s in the Adirondack mountain region of New

York state. The generous slant of the seat and back make

it an inviting place to relax outdoors. And for those who like to

graze while relaxing, armrests the size of small tables offer plenty

of room for a plate of snacks and a favorite beverage.

Unlike the original, our chair has a curved seat and back, making

it a place where you won’t mind spending a lot of downtime. It

is made from western red cedar, a weather-resistant, lightweight

wood available at most lumberyards. Cypress, mahogany, and

redwood also are lightweight and enjoy the outdoors. Ipé and

ADIRONDACK WITH A TWIST

See a gallery of chairs (pp. 82–83) from Indiana

University of Pennsylvania’s design competition.

Chairmakers were invited

to develop their own

interpretations, using

the basic concept of this

classic chair as a point of

departure.

SEATING

74 FINE WOODWORKING Photos, this page: Michael Pekovich (top); Roy Engelbrecht (bottom left)

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