Don Shoemaker Furniture

I received several requests from my readers to write about Don´s famous Sling Swinger chair, so here it is:

The “Sling Casuals” furniture collection together with the “Elephant Lounge Set” limited edition (which I already described in a separate post) from the 60’s are Don S. Shoemaker´s most accomplished organic design achievements. Although, the output of the “Sling  Line” lasted during three decades, the “Elephant Lounge” remained an exclusive special edition of only 5 sets. The Sling “Swinger” chair and the Sling “Sloucher” chair are well known to collectors and galleries.

The Sling Swinger chair is of timeless elegance, the perfect integration of form, function and exotic woods. The production of these harmoniously sculpted chairs in solid tropical woods was only possible thanks to the highly sophisticated manufacturing equipment and special tools that Don had at his workshop. Shoemaker´s favorite tropical woods used for the production of these attractive swinging chairs were granadilla, cueramo and cocobolo, combined with black or brown leather upholstery. Besides the wide arms model a second version was available with narrow arms, an alternative for smaller living spaces. Below a  Sling Swinger chair from my personal collection in heavy solid cocobolo tropical wood:

Another unique feature about Don´s furniture designs as I have already noted before is that he excelled in developing systems for link and joint, he tried to avoid no matter what the use of screws and nails in his work. These chairs are assembled to perfection, easily dismountable for an uncomplicated transport to any place in the world. A different Sling Swinger chair from my private collection is shown here, this time in solid granadilla tropical wood:

And finally, here is a picture of one of my Sling Swinger chairs with its matching ottoman with black leather upholstery. The classic combination. Both pieces bear the Don S. Shoemaker decal studio label.

Copyright © 2011 Karin Goyer. All Rights Reserved.

@donshoemaker.com

Don´s organic designs were unmatchable by any other furniture designer of his time. When I refer to his organic designs, I am talking about that marvelous prototype I had the opportunity to see, sit and enjoy, which was the base of what we know as the SLING “sloucher“ chair, made in some sort of bone shape disposition.

The “Sling Casuals” line is one of Don´s most classical and successful design lines from the 60′s. The SEÑAL, S.A. catalog page above describes the stylish Sling “sloucher” chairs which were produced only in selected precious tropical woods (zebrawood, cocobolo, granadilla and other local rosewood variants like cueramo), all made with black or brown leather upholstery. The SEÑAL, S.A. shop in Santa Maria de Guido also had a collection of other available leather samples and colors for you to choose from: gray, different shades of brown, beige, etc. to match the Sling “sloucher” chairs to your home décor or personal favorite colors.

To give you a good idea of the different tropical woods and leather upholstery colors Don used at the time I am showing below some Sling “sloucher” chairs from my private collection. Personally I am very fond of the cocobolo and zebrawood models with black leather. They have been in our family for almost 50 years and looking impeccable.

Don also produced these chairs in granadilla tropical wood, very attractive to the eye with brown or beige leather. I just love them!

Copyright © 2010 Karin Goyer. All rights Reserved

@donshoemaker.com