In the summer of 2018 I had the opportunity to study abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark and take courses on Scandinavian furniture. Over the course of seven weeks I designed and fabricated a solid wood chair.
Inspiration
While in Denmark I became extremely interested in the idea of flexible furniture. I examined pieces of furniture that live in a place in-between a seat and a table, either intentionally or unintentionally, and became interested in the form similarities of a side table and stool.
While traveling in Finland and Sweden, I was very inspired by the Scandinavian use of light wood and natural fibers. I found the furniture was playful and warm, feelings I wanted to emulate in my design. I collected references everywhere I traveled, from Scandinavian design museums to local department stores.
I was drawn to pieces that used natural fiber accents, traditional craft techniques, light airy forms, and clean lines.
Left: Cuba Chair (1997) by Morton Goeletter
Middle: Lamino Easy Chair (1956) by Yngve Ekström
Right: Anna (1945) by Bruno Mathsson
Middle: Lamino Easy Chair (1956) by Yngve Ekström
Right: Anna (1945) by Bruno Mathsson
Sketching & Refinement
I used a combination of 2D and 3D sketches to refine my ideas. During this refinement process I explored ways that sitting surfaces and storage spaces could coexist comfortably and experimented with different ways to mix a wooden frame with softer materials such as leather or cushions.
Once I settled on a stool design, I continued to refine at full scale using drafting paper. During this stage I also worked with professional craftspeople to create a construction plan and make sure the project was feasible in our timeline.
Because my form would be relatively simple, I focused on construction details to elevate the design and add visual interest. For example, I was given the option of moulding plywood sheets to create the top curve of my seat but I choose to build it out of many joined pieces of solid wood, allowing the material and joinery to shine and become a focal point of the design.
Construction
I had twelve woodchip-filled days in the shop to follow my construction plans and build the Button Stool! The project was soap-finished to preserve the natural color and texture of the wood and a dark wool fabric for the sling that fit within the modern Scandinavian design language.
The Button Stool creates a multipurpose space for seating and storage. A simple, elegant form and interchangeable fabric makes the Button Stool a versatile piece of furniture that can be used throughout the home.
The Button Stool made the trip back to America and now happily lives in my apartment.
Completed Stool
