Parlor Settee

Alex Dolese

Join furniture maker Alex Dolese as she guides you through the complete build of her elegant, curved-rail Parlor Settee. Or maybe it's a wooden couch. You decide! You’ll learn slip-tenon joinery, angled quad joints, precision shaping, pattern routing, and the techniques that make this Settee both beautiful and genuinely comfortable. Whether you choose walnut, white oak, or another hardwood, this project will expand your skills and leave you with a stunning, handcrafted piece for your home.

This course will be released in 2025 and is not eligible for additional discounts

  • 13 lessons
  • 272 min
  • $129.00$109.00

Here's what you'll learn how to build:

What's included:

  • Detailed cut list and plans including a PDF and a SketchUp file (Metric and Imperial).
  • PDF patterns for creating templates.
  • 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:

  • Split tenon joinery
  • Angled Joinery
  • Precision Shaping
  • Pattern Routing
  • Chair design for comfort and appeal
  • Please Note: Upholstery is not covered in this course

What you'll need:

Materials

  • 6 BF 5/4 Hardwood
  • 34 BF 8/4 Hardwood

Power Tools

This project is built with a Terra Firma Horizontal Mortiser. You can apply a variety of other methods and tools to accomplish this (router-cut mortises, dowels, Domino, Pantorouter, Multi-router) but that instruction is not included in this course.

Bandsaw, table saw, jointer, planer, router table, random orbit sander, spindle sander, miter gauge, drill and driver, handheld router, Carbide Cutter Flush Trim Bit

Shaper Jig Parts (Toggle Clamps are an alternative):

Hand Tools

Other Accessories

Bits

Supplies

About the Course

Build a sculptural, comfortable, heirloom-quality couch with furniture maker Alex Dolese in our Parlor Settee Course. Alex guides you step by step through the full build of her modern walnut couch, also known as a settee.

You’ll learn slip-tenon joinery, angled quad-joint construction, precision bandsaw shaping, and pattern routing with flush-trim bits. You’ll also learn how to blend sculpted parts so every curve and transition feels natural. Alex shows you how to design seating that feels good, looks good, and fits your space. She also covers how to choose and lay out lumber for a clean, balanced look.

The project starts with dimensional stock and a CAD-based leg template that sets the angles and structure. From there, you’ll shape the arms, rails, legs, and crest rail, building skills you can use in many future projects.

By the end, you’ll have a beautiful couch and a deeper understanding of how to build comfortable, long-lasting furniture. You can use walnut, white oak, cherry, or another hardwood. No matter what you choose, the techniques in this course will raise the quality of everything you build next.

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About Your Instructor:

Alex Dolese
https://www.dolesewoodworks.com/

Alexis Dolese grew up in a family of builders and artists, surrounded by creativity from an early age. Her path to fine furniture began while designing and building her own home alongside her father, a longtime woodworker. That experience sparked a deeper passion for the craft, leading her to apprentice with accomplished makers before launching Dolese Woodworks in Bozeman, Montana in 2019.

Alexis specializes in custom fine furniture rooted in traditional joinery, clean design, and intentional craftsmanship. Influenced by Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics, her work emphasizes precision, subtlety, and timeless form. She approaches every project with intuition, care, and a meticulous attention to detail.

Alongside running her studio, Alexis teaches at woodworking schools across the US and in her own shop. She’s dedicated to making woodworking more accessible and building a supportive community around the craft. As a founding member and current president of the Bozeman Woodworking Guild, she actively fosters engagement, mentorship, and growth among woodworkers of all experience levels.

As an instructor, Alexis is known for her calm, encouraging presence and her ability to turn complex techniques into clear, approachable lessons. Whether you’re just beginning or pushing into advanced skills, her thoughtful guidance will help you build with confidence and clarity.