Shaker Windsor style Chair

When I decided to make a new dining set for our home, I spent a lot of time searching through various design options. i knew I wanted to do a cherry/ash blend like a shaker bench I made many years ago. I was just not sure on the style I wanted to build. I found a seat design I liked made by a chair-maker Timothy Clarke from Vermont, who was very gracious in his help on my project. The crest-rail is my own design and the back spindles and leg structure is similar to many Shaker builders like Thos. Moser (who wrote the book on Shaker furniture – literally). Tim also helped out on the leg support bracket which I think is key to this design. I wanted the smooth down-under look – like a Ken doll…

There is a lot more detail on my blog about the construction of the prototype chair, as well as the final 7 chairs, with lots of build shots and jig pictures.

I have also included a picture of the prototype which was painted and distressed to mask the multiple cut marks on the soft Aspen it was made from.

-- Richard D. Wile, http://richard-wile.blogspot.ca/