Morris Chair without Finish

[Dan Gill]

Here is the Morris chair I've been building from the Wood plans. It came out rather well, although I had to make one of the sides twice. Seems I turned it back to front when I marked the curve in the top.

I modified the cut-out in the side panel into a cross. I have a side table I made years ago with a cross on it, and I like this - it will match better.

I'm going to go the non-traditional route and finish it with teak oil and a polyurethane wiping varnish. The rest of my wooden furniture in the living room is natural red oak, and this will match it better than a tradtional fumed look. The teak oil darkens it a little and pops the grain.

[Jim Fancher]

Looks great! I love the Morris chair. Would you mind posting some pics when it's finished and in place? I'd love to see them.

Will you be doing the ottoman as well?

[Von Bickley]

Dan,
Great looking chair.

[Byron Trantham]

Dan, nice work!

[Lloyd Frisbee]

Nice work. I need to build one of those. Where did you get the plans? Were the bent arms hard to do?

Lloyd

[Dave Right]

Great work. Nice looking chair. That is my project for this winter - as a rocker. Any problems I should be looking for?

[Roy Wall]

Dan,

THat is terrific work!! Show us the finish.....please!! thanks!!

[Joe Blankshain]

Dan,

Great work and I look forward to seeing the finished product.

[Jason Tuinstra]

Dan, it looks great!

[Keel McDonald]

Great job, Dan! I especially like the crosses.

[Gail O'Rourke]

Dan, it is simply beautiful. Really nice, what will you use to cover the cushions?

[Dan Gill]

Here it is with the teak oil on it. I have to let it dry for three days or more before putting on the wiping varnish. That shouldn't be a problem, as I'm probably going to Louisiana to help with relief this weekend.

Answers to questions:

Jim--I think I'm going to do the ottoman, but I'll probably do my own plan for that. I just didn't want to purchase that separately.

Lloyd--the plans are from the Wood store. $10.95, I believe. I got lots of recommendations for these when I was looking around.

Dave--If I did it again, make another template to cut the curve in the top. I drew a line off of the curved arms, but with the offset of the legs, it was difficult to get an accurate line. Next time I'd transfer that curve to a piece of MDF, then cut that to fit between the legs. The plan called for me to draw the line from the form used to bend the legs, and I really didn't want to do that, because it didn't allow for springback. As it was, I used every clamp I could get on the arms, then cut a small trim piece for the tops of the sides. Oh, and don't do like I did and cut the side backwards once. Doh!

Gail--I'm going to get cloth cushions made. I don't want vinyl or leather - those always seem hot to me. I'm not sure about color - that's my wife's department, because I'm colorblind. We'll probably get a tan, possibly the same color as my Chessie. Sometimes I wish the whole house was that color.

Thanks for the positive comments. This was my first time to do through tenons, and there are some gaps. I have a drill press mortising kit and it worked well, except I think there's a little flex in my drill press table.

[Vaughn McMillan]

Looking sweet, Dan. The oil really popped the grain, and I'll bet the photo doesn't begin to do justice to the real thing. Very nice indeed.

- Vaughn

[Keith Burns]

I can't add much to what's already been said.......Excellent piece ! I love mission style furniture but my wife doesn't like the chairs so I can't make one. You did a fantistic job !

Wish you the best on your relief efforts.

[Jim Becker]

Outstanding. I always liked that design and am glad you pursued it. Do take a pic of it "in the room" once it's done, too. It will be nice to see it in situ.