Maloof style Settee

Wow, truly inspiring work Dayton.

How well does it sit? It sure looks comfortable.

How much time went into it?

-- Chris

Love it :)

-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso

Thanks guys
Chris, It took about 2 weeks, give or take a couple days, in the evenings and weekends. I’m getting faster all the time, and this style is not too bad, no spindles and not too many joints to sculpt

it sets great, at least it fits my bottom well, while I’m sculpting the bottom I set in it over an over again until I get rid of all the “hard” spots, I haven’t had any complaints about it being uncomfortable, most people say they feels like an upholstered chair

I’m sure Mr. Maloof would be proud. Is there any support under the middle of the seat on these? It looks like it might flex quite a bit.

So, do you get $25k+ for yours too?? LOL

Cheers, and very nicely done,
Kerry

-- Alberta, Canada

Beautiful work. Do you shape the pieces on the band saw like Mr. Maloof or have you found a safer method?

Nice work!

Thanks for the post

Callum

-- For wood working podcasts with a twist check out http://thetimberkid.com/

Absolutely beautiful!

I second Kerry’s question, though. The thing sure looks like it would need another set of legs in the middle.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Gorgeous settee. I love the “carved” details.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

Excellent work Dayton!

-- Les, Wichita, Ks. (I'd rather be covered in saw dust!)

That’s great. I love the flowing form.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

“[i](attempted replica)[/i]” C’mon you’re being a little disingenuous. That is mighty fine work there and you are bound to know it. great job!

it has some flex but seems to be plenty strong, next time around I will leave a little more wood in the seat. that beeing said I’ve had two 250lb + people in it at the same time with no issues at all. the design lends itself to a fair amount of flex with no joint problems. in any case this is the prototype and it’s mine so if there is ever a problem Ill just throw it away and build another : )

This is a wonderful design. You have executed a good build on this project.

Thanks for the post.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

John,
I do use a bandsaw as much as I can. I’m no where near as proficient as Sam so I use 5” and 9” grinders with several different attachments and Micro-planes to get the shape right.
When “free handing” with the bandsaw I’ve found that the main thing you need is good table contact with the piece, but as long as you keep your fingers away from the blade the only problems you may have are the blade catching and slamming the board down, which could smash a finger, or binding the blade enough to break it I haven’t broken any blades yet but I think I’ve put a bit a kink in one or two.

That is a really nice settee. I love the flow of the lines.

-- so much wood, so little time. Bradford.

>it has some flex but seems to be plenty strong, next time around I will leave a little more wood in the seat. >that beeing said I’ve had two 250lb + people in it at the same time with no issues at all. the design lends >itself to a fair amount of flex with no joint problems. in any case this is the prototype and it’s mine so if there >is ever a problem Ill just throw it away and build another : )

Wow, I can only hope my final products can look nearly as good as your prototypes :-)

Again – beautiful piece.

Kerry

-- Alberta, Canada

Dayton,

We have a phrase in publishing, “Imitation is the sincerest form of plagiarism.” The fact that you attribute the style is important as it lends credit where credit is owed. But making a copy of ANYTHING attributable to someone else can become a dark land where barristers beat their plowshares into shekels.

So you might want to rethink about offering said copy for sale in an open forum as you might run afoul of copyright infringement which is prosecutable at the Federal level. Also, dispensing knowledge of either firsthand information about ANY of Mr. Maloof’s processes in general or detail can also put you in the realm of violating trade secrets. All of these concerns can be assuaged by answering a simple question in the affirmative, “Do you have written permission?”

Now I’ve never met Mr. Maloof and I am neither apostle nor apostate, but I am a fan and I can’t imagine Sam as anything but an artist with an outsized talent matched only by his openheartedness. But with a legacy to protect, his seconds might NOT be so inclined in the very near future. Just a thought.

Still you are to be complimented, it’s a very nice knockoff.

always,
J.C.

P.S. The casual reader may imagine that I am somewhat sensitized to matters of copyright, design and “artisans” attempting to make bank on someone else’s hard earned reputation. Guilty as charged. I also take comfort in the knowledge that my personal faith allows for a special place in the afterlife for such men… and women.

-- "Imagination is more important than knowledge" -- Albert Einstein

That is awesome!!! Keep that up and your own imagination and creativity will take over. Someone needs to replace Sam, might as well be you.

-- http://inhisgrip1.blogspot.com/

Beautiful job Dayton.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

Beautiful job Dayton.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

great job. that is such a beautiful piece and such a tribute to Mr Maloof as (from my perspective) the goal of woodworking is to evoke emotion and to get people to think and Mr Maloof inspired so many people with his designs and it is such a big tribute to him and his work. thanks for the post.

Jcees,
So you’re telling me I’m going to Hell for attempting to replicate a piece of furniture?? Boy if that’s the case than I should be in good company : ) Not sure where all your Anger is coming from but I’m glade I don’t have it. That’s got to give you an upset stomach. Your application of copyright law and “trade secrets” is a bit misguided, or maybe I should say completely wrong. You don’t copy right a design, you can try to patent or maybe even trademark an image but getting that done on any single piece of constantly evolving furniture, let alone a “style”, is very difficult, near impossible, and time consuming, as for “Trade secrets” LOL (this one REALLY got me: -) ) they all came from Sam’s book (that he authored) as well as woodworking magazines and his video (produced by Taunton press)

All that being said I have at no time attempted to pass off anything I have made as being a true Sam Maloof piece, and if I did I would be laughed out of the room by anyone that knew his work firsthand. I sign everything I built so there is never any doubt who created the work.

I’m curious what your opinion is on craftsman who make Windsor, shaker, Frank Lloyd Wright, chip and Dale, Nakashima, Carpenter, Eames, van der Rohe or any other nameable style out there. If we build a Frank Lloyd Wright style chair are we suppose to call up the Wright Foundation to ask about royalties to save our eternal souls?
The saying goes “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”, and that is the truth here, whether you like it or not.

PS did you check to make sure that that quote is copyrighted? (Unlike designs or objects words are copyrightable) because you did not credit it to anyone

PPS reading between the lines there seems to be envy in your contempt for me. Maybe you should put some effort into your Einstein Quote and create, or knock off, a nice piece of furniture or two of your own and you’ll feel better about yourself. Heck you do that and Ill gladly eat my works and sing your praises here on this sight.

You know what my favorite quote is? “It’s best to be thought a fool than to open you mouth and remove all doubt”

Go get’em tiger!!

Kerry
thank you for the very kind words, I have built several single chairs like this so I’ve had some practice. it’s just the first settee. Your work is excellent, My small project skills are nowhere near my big projects, the fewer the joints the better for me : ) I really need to work more on boxes and high tolerance cabinets, so I can start producing work of you’re caliber.
thanks again

Amen Dayton!...lol
Beautiful work …Thank you for sharing.
Jim

-- Can't never could do anything, to try is to advance.

Very nice. There is just something I love about the light sap wood in walnut.

I just recently watched the 13 videos on The Woodworking Channel at http://www.woodworkingchannel.com/dolphin/vidego_video_library.php
of Sam Maloof. Before that, I did not know much about him except that he had router bits and finishes named for him. He is a very talented man. Dayton, your settee is very beautiful. I am glad I get to see work created by Sam Maloof, Dayton, and everyone else here and across the world via the web. I have learned a lot. Thanks, and keep up the good work.

Bruce

I don’t think it is a knock-off. He took the style and made it his own. There are some distinctions when looking at the piece that it is different.

Let iron sharpen, iron.

-- http://inhisgrip1.blogspot.com/

wow this is beautiful craftsmanship ! Can’t even imagine how much time you have put into the finish on it ! Great job

-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .

Beautiful piece DaytonB and your glowing defense of the attack on your character has made me an even bigger fan of you and your craft. Every now and again one of the “Ethical” experts pops in and loads us up with that silly stuff about infringement. I think that once you have built a piece it is officially Your piece. Good job on the settee.

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

Excellent! Beatifully photographed as well. The seat is well carved out and for walnut that must have taken some work.

-- Kevin -- (http://www.furniturebykevin.com)

(giggling hysterically) Chippendale made furniture, Chip and Dale are cartoon gophers.

>I’m curious what your opinion is on craftsman who make Windsor, shaker, Frank Lloyd Wright, chip and Dale, >Nakashima, Carpenter, Eames, van der Rohe or any other nameable style out there. I

My bad . . . Chip and Dale were chipmunks, Mack and Tosh were gophers. After that they were audiophile tube amplifiers and then later an operating system for art school drop-outs and other mouth breathers.

This is why I love this hobby, hopefully someday I can replicate your work. Beautiful

Gurmpycarp thanks for flag, I won’t make that mistake again : )
Chip and dale cartoons were one of my favorite as a kid, and I remember think that something didn’t look right when I typed it but I’m such a horrible speller and the spell check didn’t tell me it was wrong so there you go.

later

MJ I’ve seen your work and I guarantee you that you can do anything I’ve done. It has more to do with an eye for shape and form than with any special skill or technique and you defiantly have that eye. You have some very beautiful stuff. If you do decide to build a Maloof style piece and need any pointers please let me know.

Thanks for the kind words

Dayton

This is really impressive and a beautiful piece in it’s own right.

-- Shawn, I ask in order to learn

Dayton, this is really beautiful. The quality and the craftsmanship are awesome. I want to sit on it right now. This really does prove that the grain of the wood would hold the weight. This is so graceful and beautiful.

I am really impressed that you can make this in 2 weeks. I tend to say months, as I only have weekends available, so my time really gets extended.

Thanks for sharing, great work!
Ellen

-- Ellen -- www.goodadvertising.com/woodwork

My first looks it looks so fragile. But if you say it holds that weight that is a true sign that it’s OK. I do like it.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Nice curves with a respect for hard lines Sam would be proud well done.

-- All bleeding will eventually stop.

I’m happy in my life, but making a piece like this would make me a little happier///yo soy feliz en mi vida,pero fabricar una pieza como esta me haria un poquito mas feliz