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Specializing in Windsor chairs and hand made traditional
furniture |
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Specializing in Windsor chairs and hand made traditional
furniture |
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Jeff Trapp Windsors is a one man Windsor chairmaking shop in Madison, Wisconsin. Because I feel strongly about creating each chair by hand, I start by harvesting the trees myself from northern Wisconsin woodlands. That also means I don't use lathe duplicators or purchased parts. All the parts of the chair, with the exception of the seat, are shaped from riven wood (hand split along the grain). The leg-to-seat and armpost-to-seat joints are wedged-tapered sockets which results in a highly durable construction. I assemble the chairs with the undercarriage in compression which means the stretchers are holding the legs out, not in, like other chairs. This assures structural integrity even if the glue fails. |
| My inspiration to make Windsor chairs came when I was learning wooden boat building in Maine. I saw all these wonderful chairs and was amazed to learn they were 100 years old and older. When I started to learn how to make Windsors, in addition to their comfort and attractiveness, I wanted to duplicate their longevity. | ||
| I believe there are many reasons for the longevity of Windsors, chief among them are the thick seat, riven wood, wedged and tapered socket joints (the top of the leg is cone shaped) and an undercarriage built in compression. Without features like these, a chair's construction is compromised. The methods used to build a chair in this manner require traditional hand techniques. Don't be afraid to ask chairmakers if they utilize these methods. There's a 300 year history of chair making, so we know what lasts. |  |
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| I finish my chairs with milk paint from the Old Fashioned Milk Paint Co. the colors of which best match the original paints. In combination with a rubbed oil topcoat, the chairs develop a marvelous patina in a very short time. I have also developed a very believable aged paint finish, which allows me to make chairs that look like they were made 100 plus years ago. | ||
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| Read More About Jeff: | ||
| Madison Craftsman Chosen To Build Chairs For Historic Courthouse | ||
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2540 Upham Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53704
(608) 241-7092
EMAIL
© Copyright Jeff Trapp. All Rights
Reserved.
Photographs on this page, used with permission of Joseph W.
Jackson III, and the Wisconsin State Journal.
