The Modern Adirondack Chair: A Beaver's Tale (and Maybe Yours!)

Okay, let's talk outdoor furniture. Specifically, the kind that makes you want to kick back with a frosty beverage and soak up some sunshine. Think cedar planter boxes overflowing with petunias, seriously chunky sectionals you can sink into, and, of course, the king (or queen!) of patio lounging: the Adirondack chair. And that brings us to my latest project: building one. A modern one, to be precise. Because, well, beavers gotta build. 🦫

This is my first foray into Adirondack chair construction, but don't think I haven't done my homework. I've been down a rabbit hole (or maybe a beaver dam?) of research. My mission? To create a chair that's not just stylish and clean (and yes, a little meaty – chunky patio furniture is where it's at!), but also accessible. I want to build a quality cedar Adirondack that won't break the bank, so you can have one too!

My deep dive into the world of Adirondacks has been, shall we say, enlightening. Who knew there were so many variations on a chair? It's a design jungle out there! But I'm sticking to my guns: I want a classic look, but with a modern edge. And it has to be cedar. Gorgeous, fragrant cedar. The same wood I use for my planter boxes, so naturally, they need to match. 🪵

Sourcing that cedar, though? That's a whole other story. Let's just say the big box stores weren't exactly overflowing with the good stuff. Looks like I'll be getting creative.

Now, about the plans... I opted for the Rockler Modern Adirondack chair plans. They're… a starting point. Let's be diplomatic. They give you a general idea of the construction and you get cardboard templates (MDF if you upgrade – tempting!), but they're not exactly holding your hand through the whole process. Think of it as a choose-your-own-adventure in woodworking. A little trial and error is definitely in the forecast.

And the hardware kit? Sigh. Let's just say I learned a valuable lesson: $37 for a bag of screws you can get at any hardware store for a fraction of the price? Ouch. That stings. But hey, at least I don't have to guess which screws go where. Small victories, right?

So, there you have it. My Adirondack chair journey in a nutshell. Stay tuned for updates and pictures of the finished product. If it turns out amazing, I might just keep woodworking. If not? Well, let's not go there. 🤣 Wish me luck!