click to enlarge

Each of Nigel Coope's pieces is hand-crafted from tree to chair. Each chair is built from a solid two-inch English elm board, hollowed out to reveal an unbroken area of rich grain not possible with a jointed seat. It is finished with a rich French polish and beeswax. The wood for these magnificent chairs has been selected by Nigel Coope for its unique grain.

Steambending - A process whereby water in the wood is heated to make it supple. The wood has to be quickly bent, in about three minutes, as the steam passes over it.

Wood-turning - Many parts for Windsor chairs involve turning. Here Nigel Coope uses a chisel to shape the wood into the beautiful hollows you see in the finished product.