What makes mortise-and-tenon joints better?
One piece is cut with a tongue that seats into a cavity in the other, so the joint interlocks mechanically before any glue is added. It holds far longer than a screwed or bracketed joint, which relies on the fastener alone and works loose over years of use.
What does steam-bending do for the chair?
It shapes the back pieces to follow your spine rather than meeting it as a flat board. The wood is bent under steam into a curve and holds it, so a chair that looks simple and straight is actually contoured where it supports you.
Are these comfortable for long dinners?
Yes. The steam-bent back curves to support you and the seat sits at a standard 18 inches, so it works at a standard-height table without perching or wedging. A wood seat is the most durable, and leather or fabric adds cushion for longer sits.
Which wood and seat should I choose?
Oak and quartersawn white oak lean most traditional for a mission chair. Cherry deepens with age; brown maple takes stain most evenly. Wood seats wipe clean and last longest; leather and fabric add comfort. We send a sample on your actual wood first.
Can I order side and arm chairs together?
Yes, and it’s the common setup. Arm chairs at the two ends of the table, side chairs down the sides. Order each in the same wood and stain and they’re built together, so the set arrives matched rather than close.
Why does a simple wood chair cost this much?
Because the work is in the joinery you can’t see. Mortise-and-tenon joints, steam-bent backs, and corner-block seat anchoring all take a craftsman far longer than assembling a chair from screws and flat parts, and they’re the reason this one is still solid decades on.
Do the chairs arrive assembled?
Yes, fully. Each chair is built, joined, and finished by hand before it ships and arrives ready to use, with nothing to bolt together. Our team brings it into your room and takes the packaging away.
