#HTE

A Look at Wintercheck Factory’s Furniture Designs

I’ve been looking through the portfolio of Wintercheck Factory and I like what I see. Designers Kristen Wentrcek and Andrew Zebulon Williams work with a multitude of materials and manufacturers, and I dig the exploratory nature of this; rather than doing things in just wood or just metal or just plastic, they’re all over the map (quite literally in terms of suppliers) and this speaks of both healthy curiosity and possessing the bravery to experiment.

Their 102 Closet, perfect for singles living in studio apartments, was the first piece that caught my eye:

The 102 Closet is made with heavy gauge chrome-plated steel and mounted on 5" swiveling casters. In addition to the traditional hanging garment rack, a deep wire cage drawer and removable solid wood bin are provided as enclosed storage for small or folded items. The solid wood bin is made in house by WINTERCHECK FACTORY®.

The steel structure of this design is made in California. Our fabricator manufactures a variety of industrial tubular steel products and dominates the coin-laundry market. Their products can be easily identified by a yellow tag which states that the product is made in the U.S.A.

I’m not crazy about the exposed planer marks on the wood, but I realize I’m armchair quarterbacking here.

Their 501 Chair, made from cast polyurethane rubber and Corian, looks like it came from a Dutch design museum:

Their 101 Side Table looks sturdy and substantial without being clunky and intrusive:

The 101 Side Table is made from 18 gauge steel and is powder coated. The table features adjustable screw feet and a small cutout for cords. A removable utility box sits below for additional storage.

Our manufacturer fabricates the side table alongside a 92-year-old line of steel factory equipment. Founded by two brothers following their service in the first World War, the company has carried on through four generations, working from the same warehouse space in Chicago. Their original 1920s product line included a bench leg, which kickstarted the business and soon became a staple in US Army warehouses and factories.

Their 104 Desk moves to fiberglass:

The 104 Desk is comprised of an industrial fiberglass top and steel legs that are powder coated, have adjustable feet and are removable. The desktop is equipped with a grommet for cord access and the back rail is slightly curved to provide a resting spot for pens.

Our manufacturer fabricates the 104 Desk using a hand lay-up process. This is the oldest and simplest method for making fiberglass designs with an open mold. This process is used for lower volumes and is more labor intensive but incredibly strong; it’s frequently used to make boat hulls. Layers of fiberglass are piled onto a custom mold and then a resin is poured on top, a process which must be monitored so that entrapped air can be squeezed out as the resin begins to cure and harden.

The MCM-ish 103 Chair brings us to leather:

Made in solid oak, the 103 Chair features Italian leather cushions with welting and button details. WINTERCHECK FACTORY® hand picks each hide and uses a supple, natural-finish leather that has been lightly waxed for durability. The steel legs are powder coated, have adjustable feet and are removable.

The fabricator for this design is located in North Carolina and specializes in military and healthcare furniture using a flat line system. This means that 100% of their materials are used and no waste is produced. Since the plant uses only oak and maple, any leftover wood from one line of furniture can be gathered and reallocated to another project seamlessly.

In short, I like the duo’s willingness to experiment and how they share details of their manufacturers’ stories. And their emphasis on Made in the U.S.A. is encouraging.

Check out more of Wintercheck Factory’s stuff here.