William Jenkins

I make 18th and early 19th century style Windsor furniture using the same techniques as were used making the originals. Most of my work is done with hand tools. The woods I use primarily are red oak ,white pine and maple. I use the two inch white pine for my seats so they can be carved sufficiently deep to make them comfortable. I use red oak for my spindles and parts that need to be bent such as arms and hoops. Red oak has long fibers and can be bent after steaming and will hold its new shape after drying. I use maple for parts such as my legs, stretchers and arm posts as maple is very dense and will hold up to the wear and tear of everyday use for over a lifetime.

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The great majority of my chairs put together with only glue and wedges. My chairs are painted with milk paint and will grow more beautiful as they age with natural wear and tear.. The milk paint is covered with a pre-blended mixture of tung oil, linseed oil and polyurethane. Windsor chairs are a classic form of furniture. They serve their purpose,they are strong, they are beautiful,and they have an enduring beauty that passes from one generation to the next. They will be passed down indefineitly and may well become museum pieces.