Synopsis: A chair by famed Swedish designer Carl Malmsten inspired Mark Edmundson to design this bench when he was still a woodworking student. Since then, he has built quite a few. It is a good project for mastering mortise-and-tenon joinery, for working with gently curved components, and for learning to weave a seat. The legs are curved on their two outside faces, but are square on the inside for more straightforward joinery. The curved armrests seem to float above the legs. The Danish cord seat is woven by looping the cord over L-shaped nails.

This bench has been part of my entire woodworking career. I designed it as a student in the College of the Redwoods fine woodworking program. A chair by famed Swedish furniture designer Carl Malmsten inspired the shape of the armrests and legs; the Danish-cord seat adds texture. Over the years I’ve made a half-dozen benches like…