Proper Adirondack Chairs Provide Comfort And Craftsmanship

PROPER ADIRONDACK CHAIRS PROVIDE COMFORT AND CRAFTSMANSHIP
By Margaret Prewitt

As a child growing up in Western KY I remembered my vacations at my grandparent’s home near Corbin, Key and how all of us kids would fight to sit in the Adirondack chairs that were on the large porch.

After moving into my new home a few years ago I was looking in a magazine that had Adirondack chairs in it and that brought back memories of the chairs that I played on as a child. After much searching on my computer I found a web site that offered chairs much like what my grandparents had. Clarks Outdoor Chairs in Lexington, KY. had what I wanted!

The chair had to duplicate the feeling of sitting in my grandparents’ Adirondack chairs in the mid-1950’s. Kids could climb over the curved, front edge of the chairs and slide down the seat until their bottom was firmly wedged against the 3-foot wooden back. As I grew up, the test came to include the front edge of the chair hitting just behind the knees. My chair did that. And then, there are the chair arms. Proper Adirondacks have arms that are 4 inches wide where they attach to the back and gradually flare out to 9 inches at the front. Little boys and girls can play with their toys on those arms, teenagers can rest their hot dogs between bites and adults can put their coffee and newspapers on them on Sunday mornings.
Craftsmanship is very important at Clarks Outdoor Chairs. Painted or stained, the wood must be able to stand up to constant exposure to the elements and guests. My chairs, like my grandparents’ chairs, are held together with rust-resistant Phillips screws. Five pieces make up the back for that perfect contoured fit.

There are plastic chairs that will do a good job of keeping you off the ground until you can find that perfect Adirondack chair. Much to my surprise, there are chairs made from recycled milk bottles, but more surprising is the fact that these chairs are at the high end of the price range. You can buy Adirondack chairs at lawn and garden centers and various other stores but will pay between $35 and $230 for a plastic chair.

I bought my chairs from Clarks Outdoor Chairs and they have passed all the test of comfort and durability. I also bought the footrest that is made with the same material as the Adirondacks. They are curved so your legs drape comfortably over the edge and make it a great place to relax or take an afternoon nap on a summer day.

*Margaret Prewitt-Estes is a free lance KY writer