Keep in mind that this was less than a year ago. When I went to their house for dinner last night, I was thrilled to see that she has obviously sat in the chair A LOT. When I saw it, I filled with joy.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Distressing, the Easy Way
Last thanksgiving I gave a chair to one of my favorite people. She was 4 1/2 at the time. She is the child of one of my oldest friends and I thought that she might like to sit at the same height as the everyone else at the table.
Keep in mind that this was less than a year ago. When I went to their house for dinner last night, I was thrilled to see that she has obviously sat in the chair A LOT. When I saw it, I filled with joy.
I've got chairs that have been in service for a decade and don't show this much use!
We did some forensic research and it became clear rather quickly that a squirmy 5 year old rubs their head on the bow just right to wear the paint right off. I wonder how many wriggling 5 year olds it would take to make the Grand Canyon? From this impressive effort, not as many as you might think.
Rubbing through the paint in a few spots is normal when burnishing and oiling a chair and I think that we all consider how "natural" the wear should look. Look no further, find yourself a willing 5 year old and you'll get the real thing.
Keep in mind that this was less than a year ago. When I went to their house for dinner last night, I was thrilled to see that she has obviously sat in the chair A LOT. When I saw it, I filled with joy.
I agree with your post, Peter. I find the wear marks on a chair a true indication of how much the chair is used and loved. It only adds to the value. Bob Glenn
ReplyDeletePeter, Last fall I harnessed the power of 9 year olds. Ten of them moved 1000+ lbs. of rocks from a garden in less than 30 minutes. The trick with kid power, like most unlimited power sources, is harnessing it! Love your chairs, Dohnn Wood
ReplyDeletePete, I've got this 2 year old who ages chairs without even sitting in them. I think in police parlance you could describe what he inflicts on them as 'blunt force trauma'.
ReplyDeleteBut hey, what's a few hundred dings between father and son.
I'm a calling you your Friday night, my Saturday morning. Scotch and coffee, nice.
Very nice story. I actually have a friend with a 5 year old daughter, I built her s swing in the tree, and I am seeing the same result lol.
ReplyDeleteAlways appreciate you taking time to share.
John Lewis
Brighton Woodshop
Raymond, Maine
Love it!
ReplyDeleteI have a 5 year old that does that too. She even has the exact same pink shoes. :)
However it was my 1-1/2 year old, at the time, that dumped the contents of her sippy cup into the seat of a rocking chair that I had submitted to a woodworking show. Needless to say that by the time I discovered this it had ruined the seat. Swelled and cracked upon drying out.
No harm, we still use it, just didn't go to the show. :)
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ReplyDeleteOops! Post that comment multiple times, somehow.
ReplyDeleteAmazing story, I need this chair in my apartment.Top quality furniture company
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