Woodworker: Kevin Rodel

Kevin Rodel first designed this chair in 1993 for a competition sponsored by the Maine Arts Commission. His aim was to build a sturdy and comfortable chair that was clearly derivative of the Arts and Crafts style but updated to be compatible with contemporary interiors. Since then, he has made many of these chairs with very little design change, including one set ordered by Disney Films in 1999 for the movie “Bicentennial Man.” Because he wanted the chair to function either as a dining chair for long, leisurely meals or as a reading chair for a desk or library table, an upholstered seat was a must. This version in white oak was fumed and finished with a topcoat of Tried & True linseed oil.

Photos: Thomas McKenna

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