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Artisan Rustic Furniture

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Home » A Rustic Throne

A Rustic Throne

January 6, 2020 by Kelly Maxwell

rustic desk chair with antler arm rest

The crafting of a rustic throne! While walking in the park behind my home, I mulled over ideas for a rustic chair. Over the years, I’ve built several live edge wood chairs, but I wanted something different. After a renewing 7-mile walk and arriving back at my house, I doodled some notes. While I usually build from what I see, I had a concept I wanted to remember, so I sketched a formal plan design.

Since the wood slab is not flat, the first step is to plane or surface it. Shown here, it is surfaced in a commercial double belt sander!

After finding the perfect wood slab, the design came to life! I may have a vision, but as a medium, the wood always dictates the final design. Each build has its challenges without plans when deciding where and how to cut. My goal is an aesthetically balanced piece using free-form slabs and other mediums.

Deep thought as the rustic throne takes shape.

Redwood rustic throne

As always, the wood slab dictates each step. Creating the perfect angles produces a chair that appeals to the eye and molds to the body. Each wood component utilized came from one slab. The meticulous angle fold enhances the appeal of this rustic throne.

As said, it’s always a work in progress. Instead of the traditional wood legs, I’m playing with the idea of real antler sheds.

After entertaining several conceptual ideas for the front legs, everything from shaped wood to twisted juniper logs, I settled on the antlers. I’ve found it interesting how many people do not know that mule deer, whitetail deer, elk, moose, and others shed and grow new antlers yearly. I only use healthy sheds, evidenced by rounded, convex ends.

No games about this rustic throne fit for a king or queen. Remember, the only limitation is the imagination.

The finished product! While this chair is artistic furniture, it is also functional. Using material discarded in nature, Kelly crafted a functional art piece that serves as a practical showpiece chair.

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Be Inspired

Inspired by nature, Kelly Maxwell designs and builds a unique style of rustic furniture that elicits awe and wonder. “I work with wood found in nature,” says Kelly, “as it reveals an organic beauty that transcends woodworking into an art form.” “Many times, it’s like polishing a hidden gem.” As a self-made furniture maker, Kelly stays true to his humble roots as he expands his craft.

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