The Wendell Chair

Overview

Born from three generations of family history, this shop chair was crafted entirely from a set of deteriorating Douglas Fir sawhorses inherited from my grandfather. Used across 20+ years for home improvement, woodworking, and creative projects, the original timber had accumulated decades of cut marks, paint splatters, and patina—acting as a topographic map of family craftsmanship. To honor that history, the original lumber was reclaimed, strategically re-sawn, and rebuilt into a durable, utilitarian piece of shop furniture designed to last generations more.

Design Philosophy & Form

The primary design mandate was “non-precious utility”—a heavy, grounded form built from simple, accessible materials using minimal tools.

• Presence & Stability: Designed with deliberate mass and a wide footprint to feel rock-solid in a working workshop environment.
• Ergonomic Comfort: The broad Douglas Fir seat and robust proportions provide long-hour comfort without relying on delicate upholstery or complex contours.
• Preserved Narrative: The original live edges and working surfaces of the sawhorse crossbeams were positioned along the outer margins of the seat, preserving every historic saw kerf and paint splatter.

Materials & Construction

• Reclaimed Timber Sourcing: Rotting foot bases and route-worn nail holes were selectively removed, maximizing the usable yield from the tight-grained Douglas Fir.
• Laminated Seat Core: The aged crossbeams were edge-laminated into a solid slab seat, encapsulating the history while creating a dense, highly stable plane.
• Compression Joinery: Relying strictly on wood-to-wood joinery rather than metal hardware, deep mortise and tenon joints utilize the inherent structural strength of Douglas Fir and natural compression to maintain rigidity under heavy daily use.

Gallery