ddouyardchairmaker

05/22/2026

Class opening!

Come build this classic, comfortable rocker; I’m pleased to be teaching this chair in shop this September 13-19 in beautiful Berwick, Maine along with Australian Chairmaker . The class includes steam-bending, green working techniques, seat weaving and a mix of power and hand tools covering all aspects of post and rung chairmaking. 🛠️

This rocking chair evolved from requests for a medium sized rocker with influences from local Berkshire vernacular and Shaker designs, Jenny Alexander and Brian Boggs. Most recently an arm chair version was included in the Melbourne, Australia design show “100 Chairs” and the rocker at the Fine Woodworking Show gallery.

DM for more information or go to Peter Galbert’s website to register, www.PeterGalbert.com. Hope to see you there.

04/27/2026

Modern American meets x

03/31/2026

New class schedule:
Pleased to announce some new classes to be held in my shop in Pine Meadow, CT. All classes are 7 days and limited to 3 students. Classes include all aspects of chair building including:
Lumber selection
Steam bending
Shaping
Drilling compound angles
Assembly

June 7-13, Berea side or arm chair
July 12-18, Lefkowitz side chair
August 16-22, High Sack Back (contemporary or traditional)
October 11-17, Berea rocking chair

DM for registration and more information. (The website is slowly getting updated).

03/31/2026

Class announcement:
I am very happy to announce that I will be back shop Sept 13 - 19 teaching a post and rung rocking chair. The Berkshire Rocker is a 5-slat rocking chair built using green woodworking techniques with a mix of new and traditional methods. Information and registration can be made thru Peter’s website.

Send a note with any questions

03/29/2026

Honored to be up on stage at Lost Trades Fair at Hanging Rock in Victoria, Australia this past weekend talking about coy journey into chairs. This is such an incredible event with so many talented crafts people.

03/23/2026

03/20/2026

Tall sack back in Australian Blackwood getting ready for glue up. It’s wonderful seeing in in a different timber. For those of you who can come it will be Fair at the end of the month. It’s bound to be special with its new location at Hanging Rock.

03/13/2026

Getting ready for with the Pine Meadow Fan Back. This one features maple turnings with a Fijian Mahoney seat and Blackwood spindles and crest. Just a couple of weeks left to get it painted and ready for the Fair. Aleays fun to work in shop.

03/06/2026

Great day set to show off some chairs at the Red Hill Fair with . Front and center is the Berkshire rocker. Which we will be teaching at shop in September. So wonderful to be showcasing the craft.

02/14/2026

The tall sack back has become one of my favorite chairs. I first saw this rare form in Janet Coyne Evan’s Windsor Chair book and was fascinated with the design. With simpler more modern turnings it seems to fit everywhere. And the added height give the chair a bit more flexibility yielding a more comfortable seat.

This one is finished with a custom blend of paint I made from followed by Botanical line of polymerized tung oil.