with Drew Langsner

Nobody knows when the first Windsor style chairs were made, but it’s certain that chairs utilizing legs and backrest spindles fitted to a solid plank seat have been crafted for centuries. In rural Wales, Ireland and the west counties of England, folk art vernacular Windsors were produced throughout the 1800’s that often have a sculptural presence and informal, personal appeal that is very different from more sophisticated professionally produced Windsors.

These “rustic Windsors” were generally made by part-time chairmakers who were also farmers or perhaps boat builders or wagon makers. Our late friend John Brown called his version of this vernacular seating “Welsh stick chairs.” Drew didn’t like the term “stick;” John disliked “rustic.” (The Country Workshops Store now stocks a new Welsh printing of John’s book.)

The rustic Windsor made in this course utilizes a large, comfortable seat and a four-piece sculpted arm-bow. The legs are octagonal in cross-section, with a wide foot that tapers into cylindrical tapered tenons fitted to mortises in the solid plank seat. A low-back or high-back version can be made during the course.

For this course we utilize green oak rivings (carefully split-out stock) for the spindles and air-dried sawn stock for the composite arm-bow, legs and seat. The tenon ends of the legs, which are turned on a lathe, will be kiln dried at the time of assembly. The course includes a detailed lecture/demonstration that will solve the mystery of the compound angles for the legs and spindles found on all Windsor chairs. Making the rustic Windsor also serves as an excellent introduction to the more formal Windsor styles.

Tuition for this tutorial, which is limited to 4 students, is $ 975.

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E-mail:
Drew Langsner
Phone:
828-656-2280 (Daily, 9-6 Eastern time)