L&JG Stickley Rocker

When I was a boy, my grandparents had a rocker that all the kids thought was really cool. The back could swing down and be a ladder up to the seat. Needless to say, one of the slats was busted by an overweight kid, but when Grampa Archie died, Gramma Jewel gave me the rocker because she knew I always liked it.

Well, I had forgotten all about it until she gave it to me, and I had since learned a little about furniture. The red "L&JG Stickley" lable was still visible on the back but the chair had certainly seen some difficult years. The arms were a little splintered on the edge and somebody had traced the grain with their thumbnail. Worst of all was the mauve plastic brocade cover for the cushions. Practical and quite ugly.

I cleaned it up as best I could, and made some new custions, but I really wanted something a little less worn with the same dimensions.

Out came the tape, pencil and paper and I made a measured drawing of this rocker. It is the pattern from which I made several rockers. They are all quarter-sawn white oak, with pinned mortise and tenon joints. Leather or fabric cushions per customer request. As an aside, the endtable has a slate top...no need for coasters






This last chair had such incredible color and grain, I couldn't bear to stain it. So it got several coats of an oil wipe-on finish I made. Resawing the 2x6 that would make the arms was one of those exciting times when something unexpected and wonderful presents itself. I sure hope the owner appreciates it for a long time.