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Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Pssst...It's called a stretcher.

In case you ever need to know what that piece of wood is called that runs horizontally between the legs of a chair, sofa or table, you've come to the right place. It's called a stretcher.

A stretcher connects, braces, and strengthens the legs of tables, chairs, chests and sofas. Box stretchers connect all four legs of a piece, forming a box around it. X-stretchers (also known as cross stretchers or saltiers) form an X underneath the piece of furniture. H-stretchers have side pieces that connect front legs with the ones directly behind them and then have a cross piece that runs from one side stretcher to the other.


Paul McCobb Directional chair with box stretchers
modernlivingsupplies.com

T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb
with X-stretchers
1stdibs.com

Finn Juhl library table with H-stretchers
1stdibs.com

Tommi Parzinger table with X-stretchers
1stdibs.com

Hans Wegner Peacock chair
with H-stretchers
1stdibs.com

6 comments:

  1. Another new thing learned. Thank you for the Chairs 101 lesson, teacher Dana. (:

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    1. I have a post coming up in a few days that I think you'll like even more. You may not learn anything new, but it's on a topic near and dear to you. :) I'm glad you found this post informative. If nothing else, my readers are building an arsenal of game show trivia should they ever be selected from the audience.

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  2. Let me guess- you snagged a Hermes 3000 ( :

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    Replies
    1. No, nothing that good. :( All the ones I've found have been overpriced, but the search continues. The post will be about a typewriter, although you may find the details a little "girly." That hint may give it away...but maybe not. You'll just have to stay tuned to find out.

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  3. The Adrian Pearsall sofa is hotttt and the Finn Juhl library table would complement it well if it was a coffee table.

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    1. I love both those pieces...but it's rare for me to feel anything but love for whatever those two designers created.

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