Crate chair

Rachel Clare and Jacob Leaf embrace a Modernist aesthetic with this simple chair first created by iconic Dutch furniture designer and architect Gerrit Rietveld in 1934.

DIY Rietveld Crate Chair

You will need

Resene Timber & Deckwash
Resene Quick Dry Waterborne Primer Undercoat
Resene Lustacryl (we used Limeade)
5.8m 140mm x 32mm decking pine
3.2m of 90mm x 32mm decking pine (or use pallets instead of decking pine and adjust measurements accordingly)

Saw (our wood was pre-cut for us in the store for $10)
8g x 50mm countersunk decking screws
8g x 100mm countersunk decking screws
4 x 25mm angle brackets (optional)
Screwdriver, drill and paintbrush

Cutting list:

From the 140mm x 32mm decking pine: 10 x 450mm (legs, backrest & seat) & 2 x 650mm (legs)
From the 90mm x 32mm decking pine: 2 x 650mm (arms); 2 x 484mm (seat); 2 x 420mm (backrest)

Painting: We painted our cut lengths of wood before constructing the chair to achieve an even finish. First we cleaned the wood with Resene Timber & Deckwash, then undercoated with Resene Quick Dry Waterborne Primer.

Cost: $170 excluding Resene products

How to build the crate chair

Step one
To make the legs, place 1 x 450mm length at each end (one above and one below) of a 650mm length (140mm x 32mm dimensions) to form an overlapping H shape. Drill and screw together with 50mm screws. Repeat to make the other set of legs.

Step two
To make the backrest, line up 3 x 450mm lengths and overlap each end with 2 x 420mm lengths. Drill and screw together.

Step three
To make the seat, make a square by overlapping 2 x 484mm lengths over 2 x 450mm lengths. Drill and screw together with 50mm screws in each corner. Drill and screw the remaining 450mm length to the middle of the seat section.

Step four
Drill and screw the seat section to one of the leg sections with 100mm screws (we used 2 angle brackets to hold the sections in place before screwing). Flip the seat over and attach the other leg section. Drill and screw both sides together with 100mm screws.

Step five
Line up the backrest, then drill and screw it to the seat with 100mm screws.

Step six
For the arm rests, attach the remaining 2 x 650mm lengths (90mm x 32mm dimensions). Drill and screw 50mm screws at each end.

Projects by: Rachel Clare and Jacob Leaf

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