Tuesday is the day my blog will be about the people, places, moments and general things that I treasure. This seems like a good way of reflecting on what's important to me and sharing (exposing?!) a little more about myself.
My first treasure is wood. I'm sure this is an inherited trait from my Dad who is a serious wood worker. In recent years, my Mum has had to deal with spare wood (mostly rescued from old bits of furniture and skips) stashed all over the house. In his semi-retirement he has built his own workshop in the garden (no ordinary workshop I tell you, it's made from cotswold stone, has a wood burning stove and rural views to die for). Anyhow he has made many things over the years; toys and furniture mostly. He has a lathe, he turns things, spinning tops and bowls! They're beautiful.
My favourite wood is oak. Hands down. I love that its so solid, strong and sturdy, that it seems very English somehow. We used to live in Windsor and my daily commute would take me through the heart of Windsor Great Park where the oak trees were simply stunning. I was thrilled when I realised that the house we recently bought has its very own oak tree.
My parent's wedding present to us was an oak dresser, handmade by a good friend of my Dads. I chose the design and he made it - it took 6 months and the back of it is a dance floor salvaged from an old Royal Air Force station. Handsome seems to be the best word to describe it.
Unfortunately we never got around to the next step of chairs and a table before we started our family. We've been on the look out for a table since we moved to Canada. Finally we have a large enough house to accommodate a grown-up dining room set. I'd not really seen anything that's caught my eye, but last week I stumbled on one in a thrift store not far from where we live. OK, so its oak veneer, not solid, but it feels solid, it's the perfect size (with two extra leaves when we have a full house) and, most importantly, I love it!
My gosh, Lina! Those are treasures indeed! Such beautiful wood... your photos make me want to run my hands across all of it. And the sound of your Dad's shop... I want to sit in a corner and watch him work.
Posted by: Stefani | October 09, 2007 at 10:11 PM
ooh.love all the wood, my dad has just taken up woodturning in his retirement, and is making lovely things.
Glad you liked my bunting! On the larger bunting I used bias binding, and
turned the "flags" inside out to hide the seams, on the quick version I just
cut out with pinking shears, and then used folded ribbon, which is floppier,
but still pretty, and the small flags aren't as heavy anyway.
I had such fun making it I'm going to make some spooky bunting for halloween!
Posted by: driftwood | October 10, 2007 at 06:22 AM
Hello, just stumbled on your blog and thought i would leave a comment. Such beautiful wood! I love the dresser and the story behind it must make it even more special.
Posted by: Elora | October 10, 2007 at 07:52 AM
Your dresser is just stunning - and to think you know the person who made it! We love oak too.
Posted by: dottycookie | October 10, 2007 at 04:35 PM