Don S. Shoemaker did not follow the same path as the other famous designers of his era like Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, George Nakashima, Isamu Noguchi, etc. Don developed his very own style, completely independent, classic and timeless.

The “Sling” folding chair design dates back to the 60´s, produced in solid tropical woods (rosewood and cocobolo) with black leather upholstery and a seat adjustable to three different positions. These folding chairs were available in 2 versions:

  • The “Sling” dining folding chair
  • The “Sling” parlor folding chair

Don´s “Sling” folding chairs are easily recognizable: the chair folds to a straight position and it has folding armrests, a feature almost impossible to find in any other chair design. In the book “1000 Chairs” by Charlotte & Peter Fiell, ed. TASCHEN 2005 I could not find an armchair with folding braces.

The “Sling” dining folding chair had a straight back for a comfortable seating at a “Sling” dinner table and the “Sling” parlor folding chair was designed in a lower position for a more relaxed environment.

Below is a picture of a “Sling” dining folding chair in cocobolo tropical wood from my personal collection. Pay attention to the straight back.

The pictures below are also from my personal collection and show a “Sling” parlor folding chair produced in rosewood. Notice the difference between the two models, this version has a lower more relaxed back.

Pay attention to the folding armrest, a very unique feature created by the master. The armrest articulation allows the user to fold up the armrest and leave the table in angle, an action almost impossible to perform in an armrest chair.

Copyright © 2011 Karin Goyer. All Rights Reserved

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