I operate a one man furniture shop in southwest Lower Michigan.  I built my first Windsor chair in 1998.  I was trained by Mike Dunbar at the Windsor Institute in Hampton, New Hampshire.  Under Mike’s instruction he taught me the methods of construction and joinery that was employed on Windsor chairs that were built two hundred and fifty years ago.  I have since built and sold over 125 Windsor chairs.  I still use the same techniques to build my chairs today because those methods used over two hundred years ago have passed the test of time.  I have personally seen Windsor chairs over two hundred years old that are still being used today and in good serviceable condition.

There are three or four species of wood that are used in a handmade Windsor Chair.  The woods are chosen for the function they will serve in the chair. The species of wood that I use are the same that were used on the original chairs.  Oak or ash for the spindles and any steam bend parts.  Pine or poplar is used for the seats because they are light in weight and easier to shape.  Maple is used for the legs and stretchers for its tight grain and strength.