Greg Batt, Woodworker

Six chairs, done.

After making my dining table in February, I knew chairs would be next.

My starting point was obviously the Maloof low back, but this was different from my first build a year ago. With that chair I was trying to copy Maloof as much as possible. I wasn't confident enough to make decisions, or change things, I just wanted to stick with what I knew would look good.

This time I had to change things. The dimensions had to change to fit the table, I had to use leather seats, I had to remove the arms from 4 of them. I made all new templates from scratch, which helped make these chairs feel more mine.

While the look is obviously Maloof, I tried not to copy, but to express what the chairs looked like in my head. The slip seats were a new one for me, and I gained a lot of respect for upholsterers. Definitely something I want to add to more furniture in the future.

I tried to be intentional with my lumber selection in these chairs. For example, each front leg was cut from the scrap from the back leg blank. This helps make the colour and grain consistent. The backrest and arms all came from one board, so they look cohesive when viewed as a set.

The walnut was purchased at @wurthmcfaddens in St. John's, thanks for letting me pick through the stack for the perfect boards. The carving was done with @kutzall discs and rasps. The finish was @osmocanada polyx in gloss. The leather was from @tandyleather .

Thanks to @sabrinabatt3 for always supporting me and encouraging me to push myself. Hopefully this dining set is deserving of the amazing meals you make.

Thanks Kyle @camber.atelier for letting me pick your brain on chair building. Your advice on using a carving knife was essential.

Thanks @woodwhisperer for your courses in the guild on the sculpted rocker and dining chairs. I took lessons from each to get this over the finish line.

Thanks to everyone who commented, reacted to stories, or just followed along. I appreciate the support.