Journal
The Thos. Moser Continuous Arm Chair
When Tom Moser embraced furniture making, he revived the Windsor chair with a modern design that became iconic for Thos. Moser.
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The Harpswell Chair
Tom and Mary Moser didn’t fall in love with Maine the typical way. Before the arrival of their second son, they packed themselves, a tent, and a few provisions into their car for a long weekend. Being unfamiliar with the area and exhausted from a day of driving, they pulled over for the night and pitched their tent. Much to their chagrin, they awoke to a man’s voice saying they were blocking his driveway. Instead of being curt, the gracious man helped them move their tent aside and invited them to stay. They stayed for four days, and nearly thirty years later, they planted their roots on a spit of land not far from where they landed on that first trip to Maine. Above: Table Minimus - Oval & Harpswell Arm Chair with Back. Developing A Classic Around 1990, Tom strolled down the driveway to his Harpswell workshop and began working on a new chair design. He created a round chair with a quarter-round back, but he wasn’t happy with the initial result. After a bit more tinkering, the rounded seat became a U-shaped seat. “Eventually, I added a curve and tapered back leg,” Tom recalls. “And one day, I discovered that the round cafeteria chair I began making in my shop a few years before had morphed into this very pleasing piece.” The new design’s most magnificent appeal was an exuberant back carved from a solid piece of wood that intentionally displays the wood's natural beauty, where no two are alike, revealing the mark of an heirloom. Eventually, the chair would incorporate an upholstered slip seat that rests directly in the chair’s frame and an often-requested upholstered back. Above: Tom Moser in his workshop. From Humble Beginnings to Dignified Design Aptly named after the location of his home studio, the Harpswell Chair was introduced in 1992 and became an instant classic. Its modest cafe chair design and refined details bring quiet distinction to any space. The versatility of the durable Harpswell Chair has made it a favored choice for countless family dining rooms, community colleges, and Ivy League libraries. In 2008, the Harpswell Arm Chair would be selected as Papal seating and chosen as the signature piece to grace the George W. Bush Presidential Center in 2013, where, during the dedication, five living presidents would be comfortably seated. Above: The Harpswell Chair at the opening of the Presidential Library and the chair for the Papal visit. Incorporated in 1758, the town of Harpswell boasts the longest coastline of any town in Maine. This rugged coastline, purchased with a pound of tobacco and a gallon of rum, has cultivated generations of self-sufficient families who worked with their hands; fishers, farmers, shipwrights, and now, a furniture maker. From the humble beginnings of a simple cafe chair to a dignified design sought after by Popes and Presidents, the Harpswell Chair is a natural fit for every home and any occasion. The expressed growth rings found in the crest celebrate the weathered-tested years of a strong tree and embody the spirit of a community nestled along this section of granite coastline known as Harpswell. Tom and Mary Moser at their home in Harpswell.
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The Aging Process of Cherry
Cherry furniture deepens from light salmon to rich reddish-brown within months, its unique finish inviting a tactile connection through time and touch.
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Natural Variations Found in North American Hardwood
Discover the natural variations in North American hardwood—aging color, grain patterns, and mineral deposits—that make each Thos. Moser piece unique.
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Coastal Cottage Offers Modern Retreat
Owners: Chantal and Michael Jennings Size: 1200 square feet Architect: Elizabeth Jennings Location: Schoodic Peninsula, Maine Interior Design: Chantal and Michael Jennings Furniture: Thos. Moser The moment you turn down the nearly half-mile private driveway to the Jennings cottage, you know you are about to experience something magical. Cut through old–growth forests, the driveway winds through coastal pines draped in usnea. The harsh coastal weather has stunted and twisted the jack pines into looking like meticulously pruned and trained bonsai. The forest floor is covered in lush green mosses, and massive granite boulders left behind from receding glaciers dot the landscape. The drive ends on a ledge of pink granite with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and the protected entrance to the harbor. The Jennings have left this unique property as intact as the day they purchased it, over 40 years ago. Above: Auburn Stools and Continuous Arm Bench. Finding an Artist Colony in Down East Maine The property was once owned by California watercolor artist Barse Miller. Drawn by the rugged shores that occupy this area, Mr. Miller established his small summer artist colony, Rangemark. Here, he hosted numerous watercolor workshops until he died in 1973. This place offered solace, beauty, fair winds for sailing, and an opportunity to paint en plein air. When the Jennings purchased the property in 1983, the land and views were breathtaking, but the buildings were nothing more than a dilapidated main house, a tiny bunkhouse, and a horse shed. Years later, they found themselves with the arduous task of demolition and hauling away the all–but–abandoned property before they could begin breaking ground on the new site for the cottage. A Daughter’s Designs Elizabeth Jennings’s goal was to create the small escape her parents envisioned. Her initial design had clean, modern lines. She wanted to create a minimalist home that retained much of the “New England” charm without competing with the land. Her design included cedar shakes, copper flashing, and a standing seam copper roof. Elizabeth added weather-related adaptations: overhangs, a covered entryway, and a slate-floored entrance that would accommodate muddy boots and wet paws. Above: Auburn Stools and Vita Lounge Chair and Ottoman The open layout of the interior invites intimate dinner parties. The large southern-facing windows provide plenty of ambient light. When it came time to set Elizabeth’s design into motion, her parents turned to Bensonwood in New Hampshire. From day one, Chantal and Michael were involved in every aspect of the cottage's construction and finish details. They chose the house site, guided construction trucks up and down the driveway, hauled rocks for the foundation and landscaping, chose fixtures, assisted the finish carpenter, and designed custom cabinets. An Interior Inspired by Thos. Moser Furniture To the far left of the cottage are the master bedroom and bath. Here, the early morning light greets each day with a view of the entrance to the harbor and the ocean. The furniture in the bedroom includes one of the first Pencil Post Bed designs from Moser. Chantal wanted an uncluttered and calming bedroom. On either side of the bed, the nightstands are simple Minimus Tables built by Chantal at a Customer-In-Residence program. In the corner of the room sits an Aria Chair Michael completed during his Thos. Moser Customer-In-Residence program. The Jennings chose the light salmon upholstery to reflect the color of the granite boulders and shoreline. The primary bath, set behind the bedroom, features custom cabinetry, a compact washer and dryer, and a beautiful river stone shower. The main living space is unobstructed by walls and creates a welcoming space for guests. There is even a secret loft for their grandchildren, complete with a porthole. A Harvest Table accompanied by six early Fanback Chairs, a predecessor to our Catena chairs, were Chantal and Michael’s first Moser purchases in 1981. Chantal points out, “I wouldn’t trade the table or chairs for anything. I raised my children at that table, and we’ve shared many meals and conversations here. That table is a part of our family’s history.” Above: Auburn Stools The beautiful antique Marblehead pond yacht was a housewarming gift from Mary and Tom Moser. The vintage yacht, hanging on the wall over the fireplace, links land and sea. The floors and ceilings, inspired by Moser, are crafted of ash. Michael recalls, “When the Mosers had their first showroom in Portland, Maine, the floors were ash.” He remembers how he loved the way the cherry furniture stood out on the light ash floors. Chantal and Michael wanted to incorporate this warmth into the interior of the new cottage. The Jennings find the cottage liberating. Its small size and beautiful furnishings free up time to enjoy the surrounding area. Elizabeth is delighted that her parents are so happy with their little coastal retreat. “The furniture is a testament to good design; it looks as stylish and modern today as the day we bought it.” Chantal says, “It showcases the versatility of Moser’s designs. An upholstered sofa pairs beautifully with the Vita Chairs, Harvest Table, and Auburn Stools in the same room. The designs go with anything, and each piece has a timeless quality.“
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More Than Ink on Wood
Mason Faucher’s eight-year journey at Thos. Moser, starting in 2015, showcases his evolution from a woodworking graduate to a skilled, versatile craftsman.
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A Golden Guide to Interior Design
The Golden Ratio, often seen as the 60/30/10 rule, guides interior design to create balanced, cohesive, and inviting spaces.
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How to Clean Your Hardwood Furniture
We asked Marc LaBonte, head of furniture maintenance, for expert tips on caring for and cleaning our hardwood furniture.
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