Drift Well

Chair

  • The challenge was to design a piece of furniture that highlighted veneer wood while creating a meaningful emotional connection between the object and its creator.

  • The chair is constructed using walnut veneer for the main body, a steel base for structural support, and woven canvas upholstery.

  • The form draws directly from the silhouette of a boat hull, using motion and balance as a core design feature.

Driftwell is a lounge chair designed to evoke the sensation of floating on water through both form and movement. The curved walnut veneer shell references the profile of large boats, while the single central steel foot allows the chair to gently rock, creating a calm, rhythmic motion. Mechanisms include a swivel base and adjsutable back rest height. Inspired by memories of watching my grandfather work on large ships, the design connects personal history with material expression. Simple in form and built from timeless materials, Driftwell is intended to feel grounded, enduring, and quietly expressive.
more info
driftwell108.png
hy.png
driftwellmen.png
boy.jpg
IMG_4303.jpg
IMG_4304.jpg
IMG_4301.PNG
IMG_4300.PNG
driftwell+hero+2.jpg
coverdrift.jpg
coverdrift+copy+5.jpg
coverdrift copy 2.jpg

I came into this project feeling confident working with metal and wood, as I had used both extensively in past builds and knew how to avoid most major issues. Soft goods, however, surprised me. Even with prior experience, I underestimated how difficult it would be to get the cushion covers to look clean and intentional. What seemed simple at first turned into a lot of small adjustments, especially around the foam corners, where getting the fabric to sit tight and smooth took far more time than expected. That back and forth process was frustrating at times, but it ultimately taught me the value of patience and attention to detail when working outside my comfort zone.

back
Next