Her Captain’s Chair

Project Info

This solid ash chair, with a steam-bent double bow design, reimagines a traditional captain’s chair from a woman’s perspective.  

This highly considered and well-crafted piece is a reinterpretation of a traditionally masculine style of Windsor chair, originally used to keep a ship’s captain alert but comfortable whilst on shift. Addressing the underrepresentation of women in higher-level positions in the design industry, Her Captain’s Chair is designed to prioritise the comfort and confidence of a working woman.

Informed by conversations with women in powerful positions in industry, combined with research into gender-specific postures and the impacts of posture on creativity, confidence and focus, the design features a contoured seat and mid-height back, allowing users to lean backwards or sit up straight.

The silhouette follows that of a typical captain’s chair, with a mid-back bow at a consistent height around the seat and a raised back that doubles as a handle. Two identical bows are joined to create the illusion of one continuous bow, forming a light, elegant shape that is both strong and functional. These were created using straight-grained ash strips that were steam-bent using bespoke jigs, before being shaped using a router. The design is completed with hand-turned legs and spindles, and a crinoline stretcher.