Local Design: Gordon Rattey Lounger

WORDS Lindi Brownell Meiring

Local craftsman Gordon Rattey was inspired by the natural building methods he encountered while living in an eco-village in Knysna.

After finding some driftwood on a beach near Plettenberg Bay, he decided to design and make chairs. “When I see a pile of forgotten wood on the side of the road, I jump at the chance to make something out of nothing,” he explains.

His latest design, a lounger made from South African pine, recently caught our attention. What started as 60 planks, turned into 600 individual pieces, which Gordon layered “like a trifle” using over 1 200 screws.

“It’s been sandblasted to bring out the texture and combat the shine that comes with the finished sanding,” adds Gordon. “I have stained the lounger because I think every pine tree feels like a teak tree on the inside. I do leave them natural as well, sealed with a non-yellowing varnish.”

For more information about Gordon and his work, visit dreamchair.co.za.