This chair was designed and built for a client who wanted a reading chair for her home office. The requirements were: to be able to sit very upright, a modern take on a Victorian wingback chair, an integrated reading and task lamp (for other activities such as drawing and knitting), an integrated USB plug-in for electronic devices, a swivel tablet arm for books and devices, a cat hammock, and to be as sustainable as possible in obtaining materials.

The floral upholstery fabric for the inside face of the chair is deadstock vintage fabric from a local thrifted fabric seller. The outer upholstery fabric is leftover stock from another past student in the upholstery lab at Kansas State University. Many of the steel parts used are reclaimed rejected parts from past students' projects in the recycle bin in the Fabrication Lab. The light fixture is upcycled from a clip-on lamp already owned by me. All prototyping materials were reclaimed leftover parts from the Upholstery Lab and Fabrication Lab and were returned to the supply of free parts for students when the final model was complete. 

To explore the aesthetic idea of a "Modern Victorian" piece of furniture, contemporary construction methods were combined with historic corset-making techniques to obtain a more rigid structure in the fabric parts in tension. This involves horizontal cording to stiffen the upper curve of the back and arms and vertical boning (made from large zip ties) to keep it from sagging. The historic corset-making embroidery technique of "flossing" was used to reinforce the top and bottom of the boning channels and keep the bones taut. 

In order to maintain simple construction techniques with ergonomic performance, steel structure was welded primarily at 90 degree angles for a simple frame. The cords stretched across the seat and the fabric draped between the posts provide the flex, ergonomic angles, and curves necessary for comfort.