Mid-Century Modern Chair
5 Days: Monday - Friday, July 14th - 18th, 2025, 8AM - 5 PM
Tuition: $1,200
Ages: 18 & Up
Instructor: Steve McCarroll & Armando Covarrubias Jr
Instructional Delivery Method(s): In person
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Program Description:
The mid-century modern era was an exciting time for design. The combination of the craft revival movement with playful new organic shapes from danish and American designers alike birthed some of the most iconic pieces of furniture that became the new heirlooms of tomorrow. In this course, we will explore mid-century design as students build their own lounge chair. Over 5 days, your instructor will begin by guiding students as we select lumber for clarity and grain. We will shape the frames using hand tools, and router jigs, and create joinery for the chair using traditional and modern techniques. In the final steps, we discuss the process for making your own upholstered cushions [or sourcing from your local upholstery shop] once you get the chair home. With a maximum of 8 students, you'll receive personalized instruction in a fully equipped machine room.
Learning Objectives:
Explore the origins of Mid-century modern design
Discuss and become familiar with chair joinery
Develop a construction plan and cut list using multiple machining processes
Create templates for construction
Employ floating tenon joinery
Edge profiling
Discussion and application of hand-rubbed finishes
Students will create a beautiful Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chair to take home and relax in for generations to come.
Attendance Requirements: Students must attend all days
Location: Sam Beauford Woodshop, 1375 N. Main St, Building 41, Adrian, Michigan 49221
Class Size: Maximum 8 students
Refund, Cancellation, and Complaint Resolution Policies
If you have any questions about this class, please contact the Administrative Office at (517) 759-3070 or email admissions@sbwi.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What size is the chair? Will it fit in my car or on an airplane?
A: The dimensions of the chair are approximately 30" tall x 30" wide x 27" deep. If you have limited vehicle space or fly here, you can wait to glue up the chair until you get home. This will allow you to flat-pack it for carry-on or ship it to your home.
Q: Do we make the cushions in class?
A: No, the cushions are not included in this class, but we will discuss the process for making your upholstered cushions(or sourcing from your local upholstery shop) once you get the chair home
Q: What wood is the chair constructed from?
A: The wood for this class is typically cherry or ash, but it can vary depending on the availability at the time of the class.
AIA Advance Learner Preparation: None
AIA Approved Learning Units & Type: 40 Elective
AIA CES Program Approval Expiration Date: 02/26/2028
Official AIA CES Provider Statement: Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number 10009739. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3). This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.