Rocking Chairs

"The most comfortable wooden chair I've ever sat in!"

Colin Eden-Eadon, Editor of "Furniture & Cabinet Making", Britain's premier furniture making magazine. This is what Colin had to say after sitting in the chair I exhibited in England for "Chairs 2004"

Click on rocking chairs to enter

The chair above was made from a walnut tree taken down on George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate about 40 miles from where I live in Fredericksburg, VA. The tree grew in front of George's distillery for 150 years and had to be taken down in order to re build the distillery. You can read about the making of this chair by clicking HERE or proceed on to the Hal Taylor web site by clicking on Georges headrest above.

 My greatest influence in woodworking has been James Krenov.  After reading his first book A Cabinetmaker's Notebook  my view of woodworking changed from "What can I make out of this wood" to "What can this wood and I make together." I will forever be grateful for his enlightened, giving approach to the craft of wood.

As many would surmise I have also been influenced by one of my favorite people, Sam Maloof. When I first saw one of Sam's rocking chairs I realized that a comfortable rocking chair could also be a work of art. Sam has been instrumental in bringing the craft of woodworking to new levels, changing the perception and attitudes of consumers the world over. And in so doing has made it possible for thousands who love woodworking to make it their living, not just their dream.

Click here to see Hal's Rocking Chairs