The Mantis Chair
The Mantis Chair is a handcrafted lounge chair. Designed and built entirely by hand, the chair features a sculptural black walnut frame and a velvet upholstered seat. The custom seat frame is shaped using custom laser cut router templates giving the curvature shown. Cross beams and hidden bolts connect the seat, giving the illusion it is hovering above the main frame. A dark green velvet seat and backrest, upholstered by hand, provide cushion and comfort to the lounge chair. Designed using air-dried wood and vintage velvet from my grandparents give the Mantis Chair a timeless aesthetic.
Sketches and Models
The Mantis chair was very inspired by mid-century modern wooden furniture. Starting with pencil sketches the idea developed. Once a form idea was developed, I researched dimensions and construction methods to actually make the chair. To see the form in 3-D small scale models were made. To test the seat angles and overall dimensions a 1 of 1 scale model was quickly constructed. After fine tuning the form, scale and ergonomic angles a 1 of 1 scale CAD model was made in Rhinoceros 3D. Finally, a 1/4 scale model was constructed out of walnut scraps to better see the final dimensions and aesthetic. The Rhino file also finalized the curvature of the frame to allow for laser cut router templates made of MDF.
Woodworking Steps
Using a scale drawing from my CAD model angles were cut cut begin forming the frame
First the walnut was jointed, planed and cut to length.
Next a router template was laser cut from the shape in the CAD model
The boards were all internally jointed using a Festool Domino
Dry fit test of full frame to check jointery
Using a handheld router the curves were cut and shaped
Finished router work on chair including a fillet edge
The final woodworking step for the frame is sanding
Gluing up the entire frame
Next was constructing the inner frame for the upholstered seat using poplar.
Finished wood working frame and seat
The structure and curvature of the seat was added using bending plywood.
Finishing
The Mantis chair was finished using Osmo Clear Satin oil. This finish was easy to apply, protects the chair and pops the dark color and beautiful grain of the black walnut
Upholstery
The final step to complete the Mantis chair was upholstery. The cushion is made from vintage dark green velvet stitched in lines on top of 1/2in scrim to create pockets. The pockets were stuffed with Dacron to give the chair the ribbed aesthetic and extra cushion. Finally, the fabric was stretched around the foam and stapled to the wooden seat frame to completely enclose and cover the seat.
