The most important criterion for an outdoor chair is that it be comfortable for relaxing, reading, and conversing in a garden setting.
As a furniture maker, I aspire to build things that will look beautiful for a lifetime. I spend a lot of time on the design and choose the bestlooking lumber for the project. I work hard to cut strong, long-lasting joinery and add in tolerances that allow for expansion and contraction of the wood so that doors and drawers don’t bind and tabletops don’t split. Last, I apply my favorite finish to illuminate the wood and protect it over time.
The Adirondack chair is a traditional outdoor design, and the form has been widely copied. I’m not big on copying, and I wanted to introduce some playful curves while increasing the comfort. So I made some changes.
Most traditional Adirondack seats are around 14 in. high and sit rather low at the back. To make my version easier to get in and out of, I made the seat 16 in. high at the front. I also made the back of the seat a bit taller. By the way, the part of the seat that protrudes past the arms is the perfect place to set a summer drink.
The wide curved arms make strong visual statements, reflecting the natural shapes found in gardens, and they provide structural integrity. Each arm is made from eight, Vs-in.-thick laminations, assembled on a bending form (see drawing, opposite page) using Titebond III, a highly water-resistant glue. You’ll need to draw a full-size side view to work out the arm curve.
All of the joints are assembled using stainless-steel bolts and decking screws. To notch the arms for the legs, I used a couple of quick jigs to guide the router: one for the right assembly and one for the left.
I’ve made these chairs in a variety of woods suitable for outdoor use, such as cedar, larch, and mahogany. With these woods, I often apply a clear penetrating finish, like Watco exterior. You also could allow them to weather and develop a silvery color—I like that transformation on this particular chair. I’ve even painted some of these chairs my favorite color, periwinkle blue.
