Sometimes Christmas brings with it more surprises than I expect. Not only did we have weather here in Chicago that was practically tropical, guess what my Dad brought for me this Christmas?
This chair is truly a work of art. It's made almost completely out of walnut (a wood that works well in my house) with some light wood accents. During the early summer, Dad and I went to a lumber yard that specializes in beautiful wood and we selected most of the boards he would use. He also went and found some additional walnut so that the seat of the rocker could be more dramatic.
The side profile shows off some the detail work on the runners and how the back slats curve to provide the perfect back support. Dad's rocking chairs are sized to match the person who will be using them. In this case, John is lucky that when it comes to leg length, he and I are not too far apart (even though he's about 6" taller than I am).
If you'd like to see a few more details of the chair, just click on one of the thumbnails below for some closeups.
I think it's so amazing what my dad can do with his tools. The seat on the chair is essentially hand carved using an orbital sander. All the joins are smoothed and shaped mostly by hand. It is entirely fair to say that dad sculpted much of this chair out of wood. I think the result is extraordinary. This chair has definitely become one of my most treasured possessions and will definitely have a special place in my heart and my home.
Clearly a chair this lovely is going to require a complementary handknit afghan, don't you think? I've been thinking that it might be time to get out my AbFab kit this winter. What would be better than knitting and rocking?
WOW - that is truly a thing of beauty. What a lucky daughter you are. My compliments to your dad - I was in complete awe when I saw the photo. I see lots of knitting happening in that chair!
What a talented Dad, he's created an heirloom!
Happy New Year Theresa!
WOW - that is truly a thing of beauty. What a lucky daughter you are. My compliments to your dad - I was in complete awe when I saw the photo. I see lots of knitting happening in that chair!
It's so beautiful! Your dad is an artist.
Your dad made such a thing of beauty. The thing I see in that chair more than anything else? That it was crafted completely out of love. It practically glows with it.
The shaping on the arms is lovely and I can see why he bought the extra piece for the seat. I have two words - leftovers, nostepinne.
Happy New Year!
What a great chair! It looks so light and beautifully made :-) Your dad is very clever and put many hours into that.
What a gorgeous chair! Happy New Year!
What a beautiful work! your Dad is very skilled.
And a Happy New Year to you!
What a gorgeuos rocking chair! You are so lucky to have such an amazingly talented Dad. I guess it must run in the family. Happy 2007! :-)
Your rocking chair is so lovely in the photos that I'm sure it's even more gorgeous in real life. Everything about it is amazing - the balance, back slats, fitted seat, beautiful grain & wonderful finish. Many admiring congratulations to your dad for creating such a treasured work of beautiful art & skilled craft.
Wow. What a talented dad you have! That rocker is the best gift EVER!
That is absolutely gorgeous. I know it will become a treasured family heirloom.
That rocker is stunning. It's even better that it's so obviously filled with love. :)
I think I need to buy a house so I can have a basement for a woodshop so I can learn to do that.
That is the most beautiful rocking chair I have ever seen. I just want to reach out and feel the satiny finish. Your dad is a wonderful woodworker.
The chair is fluid, like water. I wish I could touch it and feel the smooth flow. It's like yarn p0rn only for chairs!
Beautiful workmanship. You are truly loved.
Your dad is truly an artist! What a wonderful gift. Thank you for sharing it with us.
FABULOUS! My FIL is a woodworker, he makes "flat" things, tables, side tables, all works of art, but that chair is....beyond words
Absolutely beautiful! When my husband finishes our house, I think I'll request furniture! Your father is a true artist and an artisan.
It's gorgeous! Use it with joy!
Stunning, absolutely stunning! Walnut is my favorite wood, and the chair is a work of art.
What a beautiful rocker! Your Dad is very talented with the woodworking. And you're so lucky to be gifted with such an heirloom.
oooooh what a beautiful chair
That chair is just stunning, please tell your Dad how impressed I am.
Happy New Year, Theresa and John!
Gorgeous!!!
That is such a lovely rocking chair. I think the Abfab would be a wonderful partner, and the idea of knitting and rocking sounds so nice.
your Dad is amazing!
what a glorious chair.
So how's the part where he adopts me and teaches me this stuff coming along? That's a beautiful chair. Just beautiful.
WOW - Absolutely gorgeous piece of art! It definitely needs an afghan.
Beautiful!!
It's lovely. You are so lucky to have such a talented dad =)
And yes, it definitely needs an afghan to go with it!
What a beautiful piece of art -- the walnut is just fantastic. Reminds me of a Sam Maloof rocker. Nice job, father of Keyboard Biologist!
that's a beautiful rocker! happy new year to you.
What a talented father you have! It's absolutely gorgeous, I'm so jealous! Definitely requires a handknit afghan, although I'd hate to cover up that beautiful back! What a wonderful present.
What an incredible gift - truly the most lovely rocker I have ever seen. I love the fluid simplicity and the lack of fussy ornament.
How beautiful! What a great present from a great dad.
Oh, how wonderful! I've been lusting after a rocker, but nothing would compare to getting one my dad built! Beautiful!
What a gorgeous chair!
The rocker is amazing! What a wonderful gift and keepsake. Your dad has a lot of talent and patience. Does he only do this as a hobby? Are rocking chairs his specialty?
So gorgeous! You can feel the love he put into creating this for you.
beautiful! you are lucky to have such a nice and talented dad!
The way he made the color and grain of the wood in the left and right back slats mirror each other is one small example of the exquisite workmanship and loving care he put into this project. Dad is an artist. And walnut? He hand-crafted this from a wood that resembles granite in its hardness? Yikes.
Absolutely beautiful :-)
Happy New Year :-)
Absolutely amazing. What a fantastic piece of art -- and love!
I once had a (store bought) rocker that was NOT balanced for my size. Taller men could sit in it okay, but with my shorter legs it wanted to dump me out on my nose!
A stunningly gorgeous chair. Such beauty in a functional object. We should all surround ourselves with beautiful things. Not just to look at, but to use, appreciate and enjoy. To fill our hearts with love.
You know what I'm grappling to say !
xxx
That is just absolutely amazing. I mean just gorgeous.
How very lucky you are. It is beautiful.
Very impressive. I know you will treasure that chair. I sure would!!
He's a wood artist, no doubt about it.
What a beautiful chair!
So stunningly beautiful! May you have many hours sitting in it soaking up the love.
From his hands and heart to your home. This is a piece you will always treasure!
OH. MY. GOSH. That is the most beautiful chair I have ever seen in my life- bar none. You as SO lucky and he is so talented. That is truly a work of art which will become a treasured heirloom. Does he need any more daughters?? I'd like to get in the gifting circle with HIM!
What a beautiful piece of furniture! Your father is very talented!
Wow! I mean seriously, WOW! That is such an amazing piece of functional art! What a wonderful heirloom piece. What an amazing gift. You are truly blessed Theresa. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Love made visible. You're a lucky daughter, Theresa!
The chair is *gorgeous*. You are so lucky to know someone, let alone be *related* to, someone who can craft such a fine piece of furnature. Bravo Dad!
Wow.
That's about all I can say. Wow.
That rocking chair is fabulous and your father is amazing. I expect good things from that chair.
Gadzooks! That is gorgeous! You had better never invite me over. Or if you do check my large bag when I leave. I would be petting that chair all day long.
The chair is wonderful. Congrats to your father.
Stunning! What beautiful woodworking he does. That is an amazing heirloom.
It's a beautiful chair. Can I start a rumor that there is a little keyboard biologist on the way who will need some rocking?
The craftsmanship of your father is truly great. I am in awe.
omg, what a wonderful gift! your father is extremely talented.
The chair is gorgeous. What a beautiful heirloom piece.
Incredible chair...looks beautiful and comfortable.