Giant Match Chair (La Pucelle) by Samuel Bernier

I like objects that are fun to look at. Objects that tell a story. I made this chair to show how a simple chair can generate discussions and imagination.

Step 1: The Name.

Since I was in France while doing this project, I tought of naming the chair after one of the most important female european hero of all times : Jeanne d'Arc. It was a little bit to obvious so I used her nick name : La pucelle.

Since this brave woman died while burned alive... my teachers didn't like the joke much. (It was also accidently the same week where people were burning themselves in Tunisia to protest against their government)

Step 2: The Frame

I wont bring much details on how I made the frame because.. it isn't very impressive.
I roughly cut the parts in 1 1/2'' x 1 1/2'' pine wood and glued everything together with white glue and clamps. 
I did use some screws in some week places. 

Step 3: FIRE!

Now, the fun part! Fire a blow torch and burn one or many legs of the chair. Make it so it seems that the flames are almost touching the seat. Don't burn too much or you'll weaken the frame too much.

Step 4: Match Tips

It's easter soon, so you won't have difficulty finding some styrofoam eggs in the closest craft store. They are what I used for the legs tips.
Paint them red and black (depending of how many legs you burned). Make a hole in the middle so you can insert them tightly on the chair's legs. The acetone in the spray paint will make the foam melt a little bit and give it a nice texture, similar to the one matches have. 

I hope you enjoyed this design!

Sincerely,



Samuel Bernier