V-Back Barstool
PROJECT #2117
Skill Level: Intermediate
Time: 4 Days
Cost: $250
I asked my wife whether our next project should be a Morris chair or a small side table. She said “Barstools.” And so, we set out to design counter-height barstools for seating at the kitchen island. The design is pure Arts & Crafts style, and draws inspiration from old-fashioned billiards chairs. Gustav Stickley, Charles Limbert, and L & JG Stickley all produced versions of billiards chairs, which featured a comfortable footrest. Unfortunately, they also had bulky armrests that wouldn’t work for a barstool application, so some design changes were in order. Unlike a dining chair, where the seat height is the primary design concern, with a bar stool you also need to determine the height of the footrest and its relationship to the seat height. Design highlights include the V-back shape incorporated into the crest rails and side rails, decorative spade-shaped cutouts, and long gracefully-tapered legs.
Master Template
Dive into this project and make a master template for the rear legs using a piece of ½" MDF that is 43" long x 3½" wide. The most critical part of the template is the front lower edge. It must be perfectly straight at the
