Birds & Blooms

Bittersweet Vine Chair

David McCormick of Springfield, Massachusetts found a simple way to create a rustic-looking garden chair out of living bittersweet vines. He says they remind him of something out of a fairy tale cottage in the forest.

You can find these vines growing in woodlands or along roadsides. And since each vine is a different shape and size, each chair is one-of-a-kind.

Material and tools...

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Cut two 1-1/2-inch diameter pieces at 48-inches long.
  2. Cut four -inch diameter pieces in graduating lengths from 15-inches to 18-inches long.
  3. Cut four 2-1/2-inch diameter pieces at 15-inches long.
  4. Bending the first 48-inch piece into a bow, lay it down on a flat surface. Holding the bow in position, and starting with the shortest of the 2-inch diameter pieces to the back of the bow, attach each of the four graduation lengths to the bow with 3-inch decking screws. This completes the top of the seat.
  5. Flip the seat over, so the top is facing down.
  6. Attach to the outside of the bow, the four 2-1/2-inch, 15-inch long pieces using 3-1/2 inch decking screws. These are the front and rear legs.
  7. Measuring between the inside of rear legs, cut to size one 2-inch diameter length and attach between the two rear legs using 3-1/2 inch decking screws. This is the bottom rung.
  8. Bend the second 48-inch long piece into a bow. With the seat still flipped, attach the top of the second bow to the underside of the seat bow using 2-inch decking screws. And attach ends of second bow to inside lower part of rear legs with 2-1/2-inch screws. The seat of the chair is now complete.
  9. Flip chair back over, so it is standing on four legs.
  10. Cut 1-1/2-inch diameter at 60-inches long and two 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch diameter at 60-inches long, weaving all three together while bending into a bow shape. Attach to rear of chair at the bottom with screws. This is the back of the chair.
  11. Using two 3/4-inch diameter length, weave together to make the spine of the chair and attach to the back using 1-1/2-inch screws.
  12. Cut two 3/4-inch diameter pieces. Bend them into two small bows and attach to the spine and back of the chair using 1-inch screws. This completes the back of chair. (Straight pieces of the same diameter can be used to make a spindle rather than two small bows to complete the back.)
  13. Cut two 3/4-inch diameter pieces at 15-inches long for the arm rests, and attach to seat and back of chair using 1-1/2-inch screws.
  14. Trim all excess vines as needed.