We make our benchmade Windsors in a range of period designs with traditional colonial wood working tools. Our shop is nestled in the heart of the Finger Lakes region, which abounds in native hardwoods; we take advantage of this local resource by producing each chair out of regionally harvested trees. Cabinetmaker Vincent Chicone has been listed in Early American Life's Directory of Traditional American Crafts in the category of Windsors since 2010. He is nationally recognized for his craftsmanship.
Each piece begins with locally milled green lumber. Every seat is hand-carved from Eastern White Pine. We do all of our turnings by hand on a lathe out of maple or black birch. Every spindle is rived and shaved on a shave horse to ensure the grain is left unbroken from end to end. This traditional process is repeated on the chair's back before steaming and bending. The legs are set using a traditional tapered lock joint, which increases the chair's stability. Finally everything is wedged, hand sanded and finished with your choice of colored lacquer or milk paint. Every piece is custom made to order allowing us to tailor each commission to your specific needs (variety of wood and sizing).
Windsor Chairs
We make our benchmade Windsor chairs in a range of period designs with traditional colonial woodworking tools and techniques. We understand the historical development and the signature regional forms of this classic American furniture.
Windsor Benches
Our Windsor benches can be custom ordered to different lengths accommodating from two to six people. All of our hand made Windsors come in a range of period designs and are made with traditional tools and techniques
Chicone School of Windsor
Chicone Cabinetmakers offers a five-day Windsor chairmaking class several times throughout the year. Traditional green woodworking techniques are used as students build a bench-made sack-back chair. Come for a week and leave with your chair.
