Visiting San Francisco this week
Visiting San Francisco this week
I don't know anyone that has visited San Francisco that doesn't love it. Linda and I are really looking forward to this upcoming visit this week. We haven't visited San Francisco in years. . . Maybe a decade! Will be there Wednesday through Saturday, and you are in the neighborhood, and would like to "talk tables", there's nothing I'd rather do. I'm looking to find the perfect showroom or designer in the area for our sustainable, one of a kind, high end products. Or, should you simply be a resident that is looking for a desk or dining table, etc, let's do it! Friday and Saturday will be the best days for me to meet with you. Just send me an email (robinwadefurniture@mac.com), and we'll set up a time. I'm thinking the lobby of my hotel might be a great spot.
Visiting San Francisco this week
Andrew Reed's amazing documentary I'm with Phil debuted last night
I can't imagine how tough it would be to work on a tragic story so close to home. Andrew clearly put his heart and soul into this documentary, and it shows.
Andrew combined two of his passions during this documentary process. Using his profession of video along with his hometown's desparate need to rebuild after the April 2010 tornadoes that devastated the community.
Good luck Andrew and Phil Campbell, and our my new Phil Campbell friends. You've got my vote
Andrew Reed's amazing documentary I'm with Phil debuted last night
massive walnut beams
massive walnut beams
These massive 12" thick walnut beams just arrived back from the kiln yesterday.
I have more than a habit of pushing limits and taking passions to extremes, but these massive walnut slabs might just take the cake. Six years ago, when I began working with these (originally) logs, I know I must have had a wonderful clear vision of where I was going. Well, I'm not 54 years old, my memory seems to be holding up pretty well, but I don't have a clue of just what I had in mind.
This 40' trailer load of recently kiln dried walnut slabs included 9 of these massive 12 inches thick. Gosh, just getting them into our studio last night, then two of them back out to the sawmill for cleaning up, was quite a project. By the way, they are 12' long! No clue how much they weight, but my 5000 pound capacity forklift had no trouble with the group of 9.
Today we cut one of the 12' beams into 3 pieces. I'm thinking benches, and possibly table pedistals right now. And for the benches, I'm leaning toward my first bench with casters. Been wanting to do rolling tables/benches for quite a while now. But haven't yet been able to find an all American made caster.
Do I give up and use imported, or just give up??
massive walnut beams
Alabama receives shoutout at the Academy A!
Alabama receives shoutout at the Academy A!
The Help was another amazingly wonderful story. A story that really isn't talked about much down here in the deep South. But one that so needs to be. I didn't watch last night, but what a great surprise driving in to work this morning, listening to OUR OWN Octavia Spencer on NPR this morning who won a sooo well deserved best supporting actress award.
LOVED her (obviously from the heart, and not at all rehearsed) shoutout to Alabama.
Here's how it went:
“Thank you, Academy, for putting me with the hottest guy in the room,” Then she thanks the state of Alabama, her family, her “Help” family. “I’m wrapping up, I’m sorry, I’m freaking out.”
Alabama receives shoutout at the Academy A!
A lesson from arborist Joe Mcphail
My buddy, City of Florence arborist Joe Mcphail asked me to drop by this morning.
He knew this day would come, but has been putting it off for years. In Joe's back yard was the states largest sassafras tree. (Not by the record book-because it split into two early in it's life). With a diameter of over 70", let's just say it's a begun.
Either way, now it's history. It was cut down yesterday. It had around 70 good years. Who know's what form it might take on next.
Huge Alabama sassafras tree killed from "topping"
Tree "topping" seems to be a common practice, at least around here, with tree services. A storm comes through and trees are topped. Someone is nervous about limbs falling on a home and trees are topped.
This beautiful old massive sassafras was topped 18 years ago, when a previous homeowner was present.
And yesterday it had to come down. Learn from this sassafras tree's deadly mistake. Topping trees kills trees.
I got some video of Joe sharing more details of the historic tree and the "topping" problem, and will post when I get it uploaded, etc.
An idiot Abroad - or right here in the living room
An idiot Abroad - or right here in the living room
Another episode of one of my favorite current TV shows, "An Idiot Abroad - the Bucket List" aired last night - and again last night I was in tears - laughing so hard. Being a good southern boy, I have lots of guilt. And I have plenty for all of the pure enjoyment I get from this - and a few other - TV programs.
This morning I was wondering why I'm getting such enjoyment from seeing Pilkington's weekly torment. Generally, it doesn't please me to see other's in pain. Typically it sickens me to see other's hurting. Other people, or other animals for that matter. I've gotta be one of the very few southern males who doesn't go out into the woods to hunt and kill living creatures. I'll save that one for a future post.
I'm really not sure how much of Pilkington's role is an act and how much is him. -- If it is an act, he is pure genius.
So, back to the why. It's gotta be that every time he gets caught up in another totally fearful or embarrissing (or both) role, I can easily (and do) see myself right there in his shoes. Each of those little skits (lists from the bucket) somehow zeroes right into my obviously quite weak psyche.
Well, now that I've had this little confessional, maybe I can get back to watching/enjoying/crying I'm laughing so hard - my favorite new TV program.
An idiot Abroad - or right here in the living room
The no-thing of furniture design - or is it of life?
We are completing this beautiful little desk today, and I've been thoroughly enjoying it.
I'm never quite sure why/how one piece can be so amazing and the next one, almost identical, might not be so.
The no-thing of furniture design - or is it of life?
This desk is particularly thick. It's fairly small (48" L). Has a beautiful curved natural edge front and legs, all from the same slab of the oak tree. (Once I get it turned right side up, and with it's hand rubbed oil finish, I'll post the completed table).
But, the whole in the leg is quite amazing, and seems to just make this piece. Is it the spalted (partially rotten) wood surrounding the hole that is so intriguing, or the hole itself? Reminds me of some asian teachings that ask if it's the "thing" or the "no thing" that is what we are searching for. Not sure about in life, but in furniture design, or more specifically this little table that we've almost completed today, I feel like the answer was somewhere in the process of finding the tree a few years ago, to this coordinate in the journey it's taken from slabbing the tree, removing the bark with a draw knife, stacking it to dry for a few years, deliving it to the kiln, receiving it back from the kiln, receiving an order for the desk, finding that the thickness is too much, going ahead and building the beautiful desk anyway, taking this picture of this stage of the process, and posting it here on my blog.
So, if you know the answer, please share. . .
The no-thing of furniture design - or is it of life?
Planing Oak Slabs this week
Storms were arriving while sleeping, and most mornings we were awaking to beautiful, clear, warm weather.
I don't know about global warming (although I do have some strong guesses), but Alabama has been enjoying a nice "warming" this winter.
Any slabs over 20" can't be planed inside with our helical planer. So we take advantage of all this great winter "warming" to do some outdoor work when it's comfy.
Looking inside a tree, one slice at a time, is my version of a ct scan. We really have no clue as to the health of a tree (or body) until we take a look (or digital peak) inside.
This beautiful oak must have received tremendous stress of some kind. These wondrous caverns are quite amazing. Obvious to a lumber-mill, this log would be used for pulp at best. I don't know what we'll do with it, but my first thought is it might be more suited for a museum.
Well, after a couple of years of air drying, it's back "home", has now been planed square (for the most part), and I look forward following it's path from here.
Planing Oak Slabs this week
Florence Goes Green
I've been noticing this billboard on the way to work each morning. It's wonderful to see our city leaning toward/interested in their green efforts.
My optimistic side is pumped. So cool for the city to be thinking this direction. Just like probably all cities, Florence has sinned. Their awareness of the direction and the color to strive for is beautiful.
• Only two miles from Historic Downtown Florence.
• Proven to be pouring toxics into Cypress Creek.
• Destroying our most precious/most beautiful natural resource.
Florence Goes Green.
Jeez! Florence has a ways to go. I applaud every single effort. Baby steps will get us there. Lets all support every effort - certainly including this upcoming Cleanup effort.
Florence Goes Green
heavy organic oak desk
We got started on this oak desk today. After cutting the 9'+ 2 1/2" thick oak slab into the three sections, we just set it up to take a peak - for the first time it's out of my mind and into this universe as most of us know it.
I LOVe the way it's looking. Obviously the slabs need to be cleaned up more than a bit. There's lots of sanding to do. But the primary concern here is for the designer (Sheena) and her customer to decide if it's too organic for their modern setting, if it's too deep, and if we need to cut one side or (hopefully not both) sides square.
I was sick last time I was asked to cut the natural edges off a beautiful old massive slab. Ok, it was Rob Turner in Winter Park that had a vision of what he wanted in Phil Kean's amazing show home. And the end result, was more than amazing. Maybe breathtaking is more appropriate.
That was one custom piece for one custom home. And it really worked. But, generally, I still enjoy designing modern "organic" furniture - modern furniture with natural organic lines. I've been thinking about just what is the difference between organic modern and organic rustic design. It's really amazing how balance, sheen and symmetry all play a part. I'll be posting more details soon.
heavy organic oak desk
Received Squarespace6 beta last night
The New York based website development platform Squarespace has been instrumental in allowing me to efficiently add photo's, galleries, and blog posts with the ease of a click of the mouse (well trackpad).
I've been reading about thier (Squarespace') success. Venture capital cash flooded in a couple of years ago, they hired top notch programmers to build whatever they dreamed of.
Received Squarespace6 beta last night
Walking the Tupelo Furniture Market Tomorrow
Walking the Tupelo Furniture Market Tomorrow
Linda and I will be making the two hour drive tomorrow morning to walk the Tupelo Furniture Market. Although it's not exactly our market, we usually leave the show having learned a few things. I'm hoping to see continued (even if small) growth in American Manufacturing. We'll be stopping in to say hi to our friends with ShawLiving. And if you will be at the Market in the morning, I'd love to meet for a coffee or brief table talk. Just text or email me if you'll be in Tupelo tomorrow morning!
256.394.9868
robinwadefurniture(at)mac.com
Walking the Tupelo Furniture Market Tomorrow
Two Grammys to the Civil Wars!
Two Grammys to the Civil Wars!
There's gotta be something in the water around here. Another BIG instant success that we are going to claim as ours. Instant success I'm talking about is apparent. From what I hear it's after a lifetime of hard work. I have to admit that I haven't yet met (Nashville's?) Joy Williams or our local John Paul White. And now that they are famous, probably won't get a chance to. But that doesn't mean I'm not proud, and not gonna claim - Both of em.
Sooo cool that the shoals music traditions are continuing.
Two Grammys to the Civil Wars!
Alabama clearly represented at the New American Home party last night
Alabama clearly represented at the New American Home party last night
2012 New American Coffee Table
2012 New American Coffee Table
The smallest of our three featured pieces at the 2012 New American Home seemed right at Home at this week's annual NAHB show.
Made of sustainably harvested Alabama oak, this coffee table was custom designed for this amazing space. As you can see, the oak was beautifully partically spalted by nature - I havet't learned this technique - yet.
If you are on the fence about visiting this show, seeing this home is absolutely worth the trip. These guys got it right. Can't wait to get back over to the ShowHome again this afternoon. This time, I'll be taking more pics and plenty of notes.
2012 New American Coffee Table
2012 New American Desk
2012 New American Desk
During the tours of the 2012 New American Home in Winter Park yesterday, this modern walnut desk was getting some ooooh's and aaaaah's and lots of pics. Seemed to fit right in witht he super cool new age mid century modern design of the home.
Hope to be posting more pics this week.
2012 New American Desk
2012 New American Home
2012 New American Home
What a treat to finally view Phil Kean's New American Home in Winter Park yesterday. The BIG NAHB show is in full session here in Orlando.
Here are my first pics of the dining table we supplied. I think it's found the perfect home.
Will be uploading more pics soon.
2012 New American Home
I have never liked much about las vegas, but I'm beginning to love las vegas
I have never liked much about las vegas, but I'm beginning to love las vegas
For me, disliking las vegas has been quite, well, "organic" for me. It is a too bright example of some of man's worst creations. Obviously nothing real about it. It's driving force is greed. Attracting hurds of the masses in hopes of possibly hitting the jackpot. Then there are tourists everywhere you bump. Then there's the poor beautiful gals that arrive here to work their trade - not even thinking about waiting until dark.
Ok, back to my new found love of Las Vegas. Now that exhibited here for the my second market, and worked past my clear biases, It is, without now my favorite market city. It's really quite clear, and has almost everything to do with comfort and convenience;
Gotta get past the obvious first step, a pretty big negative though, the flight. It takes way too long (in a perfect world) to get here from Florence Alabama. I drive to Huntsville (East, the wrong way) take my all time favorite airline - American with a layover in Dallas, then finally to McCarran airport. Once I've landed, it's almost all downhill from here.
• Five minute shuttle to my Las Vegas home away from home "Bill's Gamblin' Hall" right in the middle of the strip. If there's a closer airport to a city I've ever flown into, I can't remember it.
• So many great hotels to choose from. Lot's of competition. And you can pay almost any price you want. (this subject deserves a few blog posts on it's own).
• From here, most of the many plusses of exhibiting/visiting the Las Vegas Market have to do with the over the top "customer service" provided by the Market itself as well as the wonderful facility.
• What a beautiful marketplace the World Market Center is. Built just before and possibly into the most recent crash, this three building (originally slated for 8?) structure is amazing. Compared with almost any or market, and particularly High Point (I love High Point, but not the convenience part) there's no comparison. Great conference rooms. The three buildings are right beside each other. They are new, and beautiful, and modern. Simply a pleasure to move around in.
• Now back to the customer service. The elevator operators, security personnel, information desk workers, even the bus transportation workers, are for the most part quite, well, "southern". Maybe they aren't quite up there with High Point, which I think are the friendliest people in the world, these guys might be running close behind.
• from the show hotels, each morning, there's always a bus waiting to take us 5 to 10 minute ride to the Market Center. And most of the time, it's one of the nicest, newest, cleanest busses there could be.
• As we get off the bus, we are greeted by smiles handing out water. Reminding us of the dry climate and certainly not wanting their guests to end up with parched lips.
• As we walk into the courtyard of the Market Center, there's beautiful white, modern outdoor decor throughout. Beautiful models handing out more water. More folks handing out breakfast sandwiches and coffee, as wells as apple, bananas and fruit.
• Some really nice presentations in all areas of our biz. Showroom design, social media, and always some old timer designer/guru's sharing their tricks of the trade. And during many of these there will be a meal served.
• After the show, it takes a bit longer to get back to my hotel. Instead of 10 minutes, maybe 20, just because of the route, dropping off at 3 or 4 other hotels along the way.
• So now I'm back at my little Las Vegas home away from home Bill's Gamblin' Hall. Where, as always I seem to be the only one doing no gambling. Well, that's not the only thing I seem to be the only one not doing. And, since I'm not, I'll be sure to blog about all this - what everyone else is doing in Vegas - in a future blog. Don't worry, no pics here.
I have never liked much about las vegas, but I'm beginning to love las vegas
Great traffic at Las Vegas Market
Great traffic at Las Vegas Market
So nice to see all the crowds of mostly positive happy buyers swarming the beautiful, modern Las Vegas Market. Although it's obviously slowed down a good bit today, looks like most vendors have been quite busy.
I'm enjoying the Vegas market more and more. It's quickly becoming my favorite market venue.
Great traffic at Las Vegas Market
Inside Chihuly in Las Vegas
Inside Chihuly in Las Vegas
This is the first morning of the Las Vegas Market that hasn't begun with massive traffic. Hopefully I can get caught up with a few blog posts before the crowds return to this exceptional market. I love walking through the Chihuly showroom. Wanted to take a video of the walk through, but security put an immediate halt to that idea.
Here I took mostly "inside the vase" pics - just with my iphone.
Inside Chihuly in Las Vegas