Texas Walnut, Black Willow, 1/8” Aluminum, Rubber, Polyurethane, Leather

2025

Tabula Rasa Writing Chairs
Displayed in the 2025 Texas Furniture Makers Show
A set of two chairs crafted from locally sourced Texas Walnut and Black Willow. They were designed to cater to the act of writing by carefully considering the posture and movements of their users.

The wooden frames of the chairs were constructed following general principals borrowed from traditional Appalachian chair making. Resting on these frames is the ⅛” thick aluminum “slate” which is separated from the wood by a thin strip of rubber in the front and two bushings in the back. As the writer shifts forwards and backwards in the chair, the “slate” flexes and conforms to the user’s changing positions. They also feature gently curving backrests to accommodate the lower back and a subtle, ergonomic handle to use when moving them.

Apart from the initial rough breakdown of the slabs and the laser cutting of the aluminum seat, the chairs were crafted exclusively using hand tools. This was done to create a more striking contrast between the handcrafted look of the wooden frames and the machined metal seat. The Tabula Rasa’s feature spindles, stretchers, and profiles that were entirely carved by hand and also handcut half blind dovetails, half laps, and mortise and tenon joinery.

Denden 𖠿

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