The Kennet Chair
The Kennet Chair
A steam-bent English oak garden chair, combining traditional joinery with gentle curves for comfort and durability outdoors.
Project Summary:
The Kennet Chair is a steam-bent oak outdoor chair designed for durability and comfort, combining traditional joinery with sculpted timber forms.
Project type: Made to order edition
Cost: £2925 (Discount offered on multiples of 2+)
Lead time: 3-5 weeks
Materials: English oak and stainless steel
Project info
The Kennet Garden Chair was designed and made especially for Them Outdoors collection as a durable and comfortable piece of outdoor seating, rooted in traditional timber construction and refined through careful proportion and detail. The brief was to create a garden chair that would perform reliably in an exterior setting while offering a level of comfort and craftsmanship more often associated with interior furniture.
The chair is made primarily from steam-bent English oak, selected for its strength, durability and suitability for outdoor use. Steam bending allows the timber to be shaped into gentle, flowing curves without compromising its structural integrity. These curves define the seat and backrest, creating a relaxed, supportive form that encourages comfort over extended periods of use. In contrast, the main frame is constructed with crisp, square-edged sections, introducing a deliberate tension between softness and structure within the overall design.
This contrast is central to the character of the Kennet Chair. The smooth, comfortable curves of the seat and backrest sit within a robust, rectilinear frame, giving the chair a clear architectural presence. The result is a piece that feels both welcoming and grounded, balancing visual lightness with a sense of permanence appropriate for outdoor furniture.
Construction is based on traditional drawbored mortise and tenon joinery throughout the frame. This method, inspired by oak-framed architectural structures, creates strong mechanical joints that tighten over time and perform well in changing weather conditions. Rather than relying on modern fixings alone, the joinery is designed to allow the chair to move naturally with shifts in temperature and humidity, ensuring long-term stability and durability outdoors. Stainless steel connection details are used where appropriate, providing corrosion resistance without detracting from the overall clarity of the design.
The backrest is hand planed to introduce a subtle texture, adding tactility and visual depth while reinforcing the handmade nature of the piece. This detail also enhances comfort, allowing the backrest to feel warm and responsive rather than overly smooth or uniform. Careful attention has been paid to the proportions of the chair, with seat height, rake and back angle refined to achieve a relaxed yet supportive sitting position.
The chair is finished in a protective oil specifically chosen to help extend its life outdoors. This finish enhances the natural colour and grain of the oak while allowing the timber to weather gracefully over time. As the chair ages, the material will develop character, reinforcing the sense of longevity inherent in its construction.
The Kennet Garden Chair was designed to sit alongside the Coln Bench, a curved six-seater garden bench, sharing the same language of steam-bent oak, strong joinery and carefully balanced proportions. Together, the pieces form a cohesive family of outdoor furniture, defined by comfort, durability and an honest approach to materials and making.
The finished chair reflects a commitment to proper craftsmanship and thoughtful design, resulting in an outdoor piece built to withstand the elements while offering lasting comfort and visual clarity.
