Morley Lounge Chair

Philip Morley

The Morley Lounge Chair was heavily influenced by Mid-Century modern aesthetics, which is where its iconic shape is derived from. It was designed to be comfortable as well as a way to make a statement in any home. Just as important, it is grounded in traditional joinery making it a piece built with integrity.  

Dimensions: 30”D x 30"W x 29"H

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  • 16 lessons
  • 374 min
  • $99.00

Templates are available for this course

View Templates

What's included:

  • Detailed cut list and plans including a PDF and a SketchUp file (Metric and Imperial).
  • Hours of detailed video instruction showing every step of the build.
  • All videos and plans are digital and will be available for download upon purchase.

What you'll learn:

  • Learn to make bridle joints
  • Mortise and tenon joinery
  • Using spoke shave, hand planes to shape parts
  • Slip tenon joinery
  • Using templates and jigs for pattern routing to produce accurate and efficient parts
  • Use an “L” fence effectively
  • Importance of reference faces
  • Coping on table saw
  • Veneering for panels

What you'll need:

Minimum material required: 3 BF of 4/4 Hardwood, 5 BF of 5/4 Hardwood, 10 BF of 8/4 Hardwood, 8 Sq Ft of Veneer (Accent Species), 1 Sheet 1/2" Plywood. You'll need to make (or have an upholsterer make) the two cushions. Back: 4” thick Soft high density foam with Dacron wrap all around. 21.5” x 23” Seat: 5” thick firm feel high density foam with Dacron wrap all around . 23.75” x 23” Instructions for upholstery are NOT provided.

Tools

Table Saw, Bandsaw, Jointer, Planer, Drill Press, Drill, Random Orbit Sander, Router, Router Table

Bits

Stuff I use that you might find useful

About the Course

This is an Advanced Project!

Advanced does not necessarily mean DIFFICULT. It simply means that there won’t be quite as much hand-holding as we normally feature in Guild projects. Philip uses very specific tools (such as the Pantarouter) in his work. While there are alternative options and he discusses and partially demonstrates them, this series doesn’t cover them completely. An experienced woodworker should have no problem substituting their own joinery preferences and tools when building the Morley Lounge Chair.

 

Reviews:

I took Phil’s in-person class at the Austin School of Furniture in 2022, and this online version of the course came in so handy to finish the final few steps at home.

Hannah Hearth
Guild Member

Fantastic project! Phil’s approach is thoughtful and organized and quality of the videos is excellent. It is a challenging build but its broken down into steps that make it manageable. While its definitely an intermediate / advanced project I think woodworkers of all level will find value in this course. This chair is now the most beautiful piece of furniture in my home!

Christene J
Guild Member

Great instructions and templates. This was my hardest project to date but Phillip made it very manageable. I learned several new techniques and really expanded my skills. Highly recommend.

Chuck Klein
Guild Member
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About Your Instructor:

Philip Morley was born in London, England. After a rough academic start, struggling with dyslexia, he found his true passion in trade school where he studied for four years to become a joiner under the City and Guilds program. Once graduated, Philip worked as joiner doing restoration work on various prestigious historical buildings in central London. After moving to the US, he studied with furniture designer Richard Chillcott in Ruskin, Florida for three years before moving to Texas where he apprenticed with Michael Colca for 7 years. He is now a contributing author to Fine Woodworking Magazine and has been published in Woodworker West and Woodskills Magazine. He has taught at Austin Community College, Marc Adams School of Woodworking and Austin School of Furniture and Design. Phil continues to build one-of-a-kind pieces in his small studio located on his property where he can be close to his family.