I was so honoured when Barbara at Hodge:Podge asked me to be part of her So Canadian, eh? series. Barbara has been introducing her readers to decorators and designers from all across Canada, and today’s instalment is her interview with me :-) Click here to pop over to Barbara’s blog and check it out. And while you’re there, be sure to take a look around at all of Barbara’s great design projects. The diamond tufted headboard that she made for her daughter is one of my very favourite projects :-)
There’s just something about an Adirondack chair that says “summer” to me. It’s relaxed, comfortable, casual – the perfect spot to sit and read a book, sip a cold drink, chart with friends, or just enjoy soaking in views of the water or sunset.
Image via Adirondack Chair Blueprint
The first Adirondack chair (originally called the Westport plank chair) was designed by Thomas Lee in 1903. He was on vacation in Westport, New York, in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, and needed outdoor chairs for his summer home. The original Adirondack chair was made with eleven pieces of wood, cut from a single board. It had a straight back and seat, which were set at a slant to sit better on the steep mountain inclines of the area. It also had wide armrests.
Image via Deviant Deziner
Thomas Lee offered the design for his chair to Harry Bunnell, a carpenter friend in Westport who needed a way to make money in the winter. Mr. Bunnell realized the chair was the perfect item to sell to Westport's summer residents, and without asking permission from Thomas Lee, he filed for and received patent #794,777 in 1905. Mr. Bunnell manufactured his plank chairs for the next twenty years. Today, the Adirondack chair is a staple in backyards, on patios and decks, and even in houses all around the world…
Image via Completely Coastal
Colourful Adirondack chairs…
Image via boston.com
Image via Forma Pura Living
My friend Victoria painted her Adirondack chairs orange…
This one takes painting your chair a step further…
Image via Alderman Arts
Of course, I have to include a purple Adirondack chair :-)
Image via Chair Blog
Adirondack chairs in Nova Scotia…
![blue rocks house 2[3]](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aOTOWZ7lYx8/TgdEvBIueDI/AAAAAAAAEcI/5ZVm3izOmk8/s1600-h/blue%252520rocks%252520house%2525202%25255B3%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg "blue rocks house 2[3]")
![red school[3]](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YB0uglszKzE/TgdExYNPVII/AAAAAAAAEcQ/XlTtpuDwmKI/s1600-h/red%252520school%25255B3%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg "red school[3]")
Hahahha! isn’t the fish chair cute? :-)
![fish bench 2[3]](http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hcDx7uQZtow/TgdEy9rT7HI/AAAAAAAAEcY/f1UDFU_X90Q/s1600-h/fish%252520bench%2525202%25255B3%25255D%25255B7%25255D.jpg "fish bench 2[3]")
And another take on a “Fish”irondack chair…
Image via Washington Post
A couple more variations on the traditional style…
Image via Gear Patrol
Image via Furniture Home Design
There’s even a lucite Adirondack chair!
Via vivre.com
No reason why you can’t use Adirondack chairs indoors as well as outdoors.
Image via My Design Chic
Ah, the perfect ending to a perfect summer day – enjoying a beautiful sunset from an Adirondack chair :-)
Image via Hub Pages
Visiting via hodge:podge, hello! I've got two adirondack chairs waiting to be stained or painted in my garage right now! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteKelly- I adored the interview you did on Hodge:Podge!! Especially the part about viewing your pets as part of the family, I need to show that interview to my mom (like, pronto!)Also, I love these chairs, my favorite is definitely your orange ones, they look so perfect with those pillows!
ReplyDeletexoxxx Linda =D
Love this style of chair! I'll have to see if we can buy them in the UK. Loved your interview too!
ReplyDeleteI love Adirondack chairs! Great interview with Barbara - loved reading it!
ReplyDeletelove your interview, Kelly! happy new week
ReplyDeleteHey Kelly, how ya been? Hope all is well. Love the colorful adirondack chairs. I have a pair on my patio and have been thinking of painting them. They are currently brown. You've given me lots of options.
ReplyDeleteI love this post Kelly... makes me wish it was the weekend!
ReplyDeleteI adore those chairs - they are not often seen here - Australians seem to favour the sun bed or banana lounge or deck chair.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love Victoria's chairs & cushions. Mine are black with hot pink silk pillows on an apple-green verandah!
ReplyDeleteNice interview over at Hodge Podge! All of those chairs are calling my name!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove all these chairs, the rainbow and of course especially the orange ones belonging to V ;-) Hugs,
ReplyDeleteNancy xo
Love all the chairs ('cept the clear acrylic one :( )
ReplyDeleteKelly: somehow I had lost touch with your blog...the emails (as oftenhappens) stopped coming in! Then, I went to add you to my newly redesigned blog roll, and somehow it didn't go through.
ReplyDeleteSo, anyway, here I am and about to add you to my blog roll!
As to Adirondack chairs: I love them and how they come in such great colors these days. I've seen some great ones at the AtlantaMart , made from all recycled plastic: fun colors for sure..The only downside can be the ones that don't fold up: storing these chairs can be a real problem!