Ladderback Chairs

Ladderback chairs with their elegance, comfort and simple beauty, are often associated with the Shaker communities of N. America. Mine continue this tradition and are left with an unsanded, organic feel from the handtools used in their construction. They can be seated either in cotton Shaker tape or with English rush.

Chestnut chair with Shaker tape Chestnut chair with rush seat Shaping chair legs on shavehorse

In 2009 I was commissioned by the National Trust in Devon to restore the 50 ladderback chairs in their Castle Drogo tea room. After 20 years of use by thousands of visitors they needed only cleaning and minor repair, testimony to the durability of greenwood made chairs.

Castle Drogo chairs before & after cleaning Castle Drogo chairs reshaping the slat