Dining Chair Set

The seats for this project are made using book matched black walnut from a family farm in rural Colusa California. The great grandparents of the farm owner planted this walnut tree over 150 years ago. The beauty of this heritage tree comes through in the grain of every piece.

The frames are made from locally salvaged black oak. The turned legs and spindles with the sculptural carved backs made these chairs my biggest challenge yet. Getting them to look and feel identical to one another was a challenge in itself. Up until this point I had only made one off chairs. This was my first time making a full set of six chairs.

The stain on the oak frames was also a new process for me. I used a homemade blend of fine steel wool and vinegar. This ebonized the oak, turning it jet black. I then sanded the stain to reveal the grain underneath. Giving each chair it’s own unique personality. I then sprayed them with a clear deft lacquer. Which produced an incredibly even and durable satin finish.