Berlin Chair, Gerrit Rietveld, DIY, UK, 1980s

Gerrit Rietveld designed this chair in 1923 for the Juryfreie Kunstschau, an art show based in Berlin.

It was originally made from oak or beech panels, but as a pioneer in simply constructed furniture his furniture has encouraged DIY-ers to try for themselves. This version seems to have been made in the last 30 years using a combination of materials. DIY doesn’t have to be synonymous with ‘ready-to-break-as-soon-as-it’s-sat-on’ though, as this is strong and sturdy and has aged well.

Materials:

plywood, MDF, pine, hardwood dowels