If you've ever sat in a ladderback chair, you know the feeling — steady, familiar, like it's been part of the room forever. Now imagine that same classic silhouette, handcrafted from Northern White Cedar logs with every knot and grain left beautifully intact. That's exactly what our Hand Peeled Cedar Ladderback Side Chair delivers: a rustic log dining chair that feels right at home whether you're furnishing a cozy cabin or a refined lodge-style dining room.
Why a Cedar Ladderback Chair Belongs in Your Home
The ladderback design has been around for centuries, and there's a good reason it's never gone out of style. Those horizontal slats across the back aren't just handsome — they naturally support your posture and invite you to sit a little longer at the table. We took that proven design and built it the Lakeland Mills way: with hand-peeled cedar logs, mortise-and-tenon joinery reinforced at every stress point, and a contoured seat that makes comfort a given, not an afterthought.
This isn't furniture made to impress for a season and then fall apart. It's furniture made to anchor your dining room for generations.
Hand-Peeled Cedar: The Heart of Every Rustic Dining Chair
Every piece of Northern White Cedar we use is hand-peeled by skilled American craftsmen. That matters. It means no two chairs look exactly alike — each one carries its own unique pattern of knots, grain lines, and natural color variation. The result is a rustic dining chair that doesn't just look authentic. It is authentic.
Cedar is also naturally resistant to moisture and decay, which makes it an outstanding choice for furniture that needs to handle real life. Spilled drinks at Sunday brunch? A house full of kids? Cedar can take it. And because we never use cheap veneers or particle board, what you see is what you get — solid wood through and through.
Three Finishes to Match Your Style
We know your space has its own personality, so the Hand Peeled Cedar Ladderback Side Chair comes in three distinct finishes:
- Clear — Bright and natural, letting the raw beauty of the cedar grain shine through. Perfect for lighter, airy dining rooms.
- Exterior Stain — A warm, honey-toned finish that adds richness and a layer of extra protection. Great for kitchens and high-traffic spaces.
- Unfinished — A blank canvas for the DIY-minded. Apply your own stain, paint, or sealant to match your exact vision.
No matter which finish you choose, the chair's character comes through. That's the beauty of real wood — it doesn't need much to look incredible.
Built by Lakeland Mills Since 1923
Lakeland Mills has been building solid wood rustic furniture in Edmore, Michigan since 1923. That's over a century of sawdust under our fingernails and pride in every piece that leaves our shop. When you pull a ladderback side chair up to your table, you're getting something backed by four generations of woodworking knowledge — not a factory shortcut.
Every chair is constructed using kiln-dried cedar logs that are individually selected, hand-peeled to preserve the natural bark texture along the edges, and assembled with joints that are drilled and pinned for structural integrity. We don't hide behind upholstery or decorative overlays. The construction is the design.
Pair It with the Right Cedar Dining Table
A great chair deserves a great table. Our cedar ladderback side chair pairs beautifully with rustic log dining tables, farmhouse-style trestle tables, or even a clean modern surface if you like a little contrast. The ladderback silhouette is versatile enough to blend with almost any style — it just adds warmth wherever it lands.
Planning a dining set for your cabin, lake house, or mountain retreat? Start with four or six of these chairs around a solid cedar table and you've got the kind of gathering spot that pulls people in every evening. And if your outdoor space needs the same rugged craftsmanship, our 6' log picnic table with attached benches brings that same Lakeland Mills quality to your patio or deck.
Why Families Choose the Cedar Ladderback Side Chair
Here's what we hear from families who own these chairs:
- They're sturdy. Kids can climb on them, push back from the table, and do everything kids do. The solid cedar frame doesn't wobble or creak.
- They look better with age. Cedar develops a beautiful silver-grey patina over time if left natural, or holds its warm tone beautifully with a clear finish.
- They're easy to care for. A damp cloth handles most messes. Cedar's natural oils help resist staining and odor absorption.
- They spark conversation. Guests always notice — and always ask where you got them.
This is the kind of chair you don't think about replacing. You think about passing down.
Extend the Cedar Experience Outdoors
Love the feel of hand-peeled cedar inside your home? Bring that same warmth to your outdoor spaces. Our 5' cedar log patio bench is a simple, beautiful addition to a front porch or garden path, and the 7' cedar log patio bench gives you room for the whole family to sit together outside after dinner. Same hand-peeled cedar, same Lakeland Mills craftsmanship — just built to thrive in the open air.
Bring a Ladderback Chair to Your Table
The Hand Peeled Cedar Ladderback Side Chair isn't trying to be trendy. It's trying to be the last dining chair you ever need to buy. Solid Northern White Cedar. Hand-peeled by American craftsmen. Built in Michigan by a family company that's been doing this for over 100 years.
Whether you're setting up a new cabin, refreshing your dining room, or just replacing chairs that couldn't keep up with your family — this is the one. Browse our full collection of cedar log furniture and find the pieces that make your home feel like home.
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