Ergonomics

On one side of the box, the chairmaker must be ever aware of the human form. Despite our physical differences, the human body wants to be comfortable. A poorly designed chair can resemble a torture device (and indeed, historically some torture devices have begun as chairs). A well made chair cradles, comforts and disappears. What I mean by "disappears" is that if one is constantly squirming, moving, fidgeting and adjusting oneself in order to find elusive comfort in a chair, then it hasn't "disappeared" beneath the sitter. While I hope my pieces never disappear from viewing enjoyment, I do hope that once they are sat upon, the sitter can relax without thought of finding the perfect position; it just happens. The match between human form and chair, done correctly, becomes the first goal and rule number one.

The Medium

Another side of the box is the material itself. Chairs can be designed countless ways, from traditional 4 leg variety, to alien-like creatures with single pedestals or practically anything imaginable. But if constructed of wood, the chair must obey the rules of nature. Wood moves. While it is an amazingly versatile meduim, wood has it's limits. It can only be asked to do so much. Depending on design of the chair, the type of wood and the strength and expertise at which it is jointed to itself, the material can be either a forgiving and rewarding ally or a frustratingly stubborn enemy. The chairmaker must know how to make it a friend, not a foe.

The Visual Appeal

Side three of the box is visual appeal. While completely subjective, some chair designs can (to my eyes, at least) look as though they were built without the designer ever having sat in finished product. Weird, bulbous or insect-like "works of art", while occassionally entertaining (drawing polite smiles or confused frowns), have no place in my workshop. I want to build timeless designs; ones where generations from now my chair will continue to find a place in any home on planet Earth.

The Feeling

Finally, the box is completed by the parameter I call the, "Oooh" factor. Like most people, I admire talent. When I see something that was created by the hands and mind of an artist - something that stops me in my tracks and invokes unspoken feelings of awe and wonder - I am often struck by the desire to own such a thing. While this may not always be possible, the feelings rarely fade. I strive to invoke the same feelings in those that see my chairs, whether it is for the first or hundreth time. I love what I do and want this to come out in my work.

A box it may be, but while I work inside these parameters, I am constantly challenged to obey the rules and simultaneously free my creativity and craftmanship. This is why I started building chairs.

Custom Chairs