Mid Century Chair - Exposed Frame

I’m getting started on reupholstering this chair. 

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A friend rescued it from the curb on trash day and it found its way to me soaking wet and desperately in need of new fabric…

I’ve stripped it down to the bare frame and before getting started on the upholstery, I’m making a quick full sized mock up of the internal frame so I can make a matching sister chair. 

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That being said, I see many things that can be done to improve on the construction to make it much stronger. The frame is made of white oak which is a good choice in many respects. It is a strong wood - though they didn’t design the joinery to best exploit the inherent strength. The negative, however, is that it is a very heavy wood. I will have to do some thinking on whether to stay with white oak or change it up to lighten the frame. 

I have no doubt that using a laminate bent upper back slat and mortise and tenon joinery would make the chair significantly stronger. Just because something is covered by fabric doesn’t mean it should be made with sub-par construction methods. It’s a great design which should be celebrated in all aspects of its construction.

I’ve selected a nice aqua blue fabric for the upholstery and will update with pictures soon…