Monday, June 23, 2008

My Dad's Better Than ... Well ... You Know


As the only daughter and only child of my father, I never had to share his attention with anyone except my mother. And she seemed to have a way of captivating him that took me years to truly understand - years of being married myself, and to a man very much like my father.

My dad is a quiet man of many talents, and one of these is his superb woodcrafting abilities. Nearly a life-long passion of his, he is a perfectionist when it comes to many things and the furniture he has made over the years is a testament to that.
Those of us that he loves (and love him) have been fortunate to be recipients over the years of many of his very special creations. He is a humble man, thinking that what he does is no big deal, even though we assure him it is.

Our home is filled with his works: a 3-section wall unit that holds many of my books and our television (and a cat now and then), built-in bookshelves along a stairwell wall, a cedar chest that doubles as a coffee table, a grandmother clock, a built-in desk and cabinets that house my Classic Pooh collection, a bookend that holds five wine bottles, and an inlaid walnut Reuge music box.

The star of our collection is our bedroom set which he made in 2000, to copy Thomasville's Encounter collection that I'd seen at Kittle's, and was a gift for our 25th wedding anniversary.



Photos taken in 2001

These are just a few of the things that we're fortunate enough to have in our home. Earlier this year, Dad made me something else that was a special request - a porch swing. When Kara, Jenna and I took a garden tour in Ft. Wayne a few years ago, one of the homes on the tour had a swing on their front porch and Kara remarked, "Mom, you need one of these on your front porch." Brilliant, that girl!

And now we have a porch swing, a la Dad:


But wait! There's more!


A matching chair!


Let's put it all together now...


Romie has decided that a matching rocker would be rather nice and Dad has graciously agreed to make one this winter, when he spends more time inside, in his fabulous woodworking shop.

Now lest you think that my dad has never said no to me, I assure you that's not true. I asked for a pogo stick for Christmas when I was two and I didn't get it.




Thanks, Dad. I love you!


19 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Oh my gosh Kylee what a wonderful talented Dad you have. I really think you need some competition, like an adopted sister. I will volunteer to be your sister and he can make me some of those wonderful things. tee hee...

chey said...

Your dad is very talented Kylee! How lucky to have some of his wonderful creations in your home. I absolutely love your new swing and chair!

Robin's Nesting Place said...

Those will be pieces you will treasure forever and hopefully will be loved and cherished for generations to come. Your dad is a very talented man.

kate smudges said...

Your dad is an amazingly talented woodworker, in addition to being a wonderful dad. You are fortunate. The porch swing and chair are gorgeous... wow! Your other beautiful pieces will truly be heirlooms for many years to come.

Cindy Garber Iverson said...

Your dad's work is exquisite!!!!!! The bedroom set is amazing! And your latest acquisitions are so crisp and charming. Your dad is a man after my own heart. My dream is to someday have a workshop and build like he does. Ahhhhh... dreams....

Cindy at Rosehaven Cottage

Louise Hartwig said...

You need a pretty rug on the floor ??????????????????

Louise Hartwig said...

Another Mr Wonderful!!!!!!!! Inside joke MOM

Gina said...

kylee - your dad is such a rock star! that stuff is beautiful!

Anonymous said...

What a sweet, generous, and talented father! Lucky you!

Rose said...

That's a great picture of you and your Dad, Kylee. He may dismiss his work as not being "a big deal," but he is a true craftsman. That bedroom set is amazing, not to mention everything else he has made. Robin is right when she says these are pieces you'll treasure forever.

Unknown said...

:)

The smile is for your post, and your enthusiasm for your dad. This next is because I am absolutely amazed at his wonderful work: WOW!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Ahhhh, you have the same smile! Love the bedroom set and the porch set but the best is the love I see between you two! You are indeed fortunate.

Sky said...

wow! if he lived in the puget sound area i would beg him to make us a cedar garden bench glider for two. we have had a hard time finding one, and i hate to order one online having no clue about the workmanship! your gifts are beautiful, and i am sure they will always have special meaning in your family as they become heirlooms.

lucky woman, you are! :)

Connie said...

Your Dad is an excellent craftsman...it seems they are far and few between these days. My grandfather used to made a lot of furniture.
Love your white porch furniture!

Anonymous said...

I was going to say that you don't know how lucky you are...but I think that you do. My Dad passed away 25 years ago, but I just know that had he lived he would be building lots of 'treasures' for his children, and grand-children.

Kerri said...

The photo of you two is just beautiful :)
Not only is your dad an extremely talented woodworker, he's prolific! He's certainly created some beautiful pieces of furniture, and obviously loves what he does.
The porch swing and chair are a wonderful addition to your front porch.
I've enjoyed catching up with your blog this morning. Love those 2 Campanulas!
How exciting getting your pergola photo featured in Old House Journal!

verobirdie said...

Your dad is a very talented man! You are a lucky daughter.And your porch is beautiful with that swing and the chair.

Unknown said...

This is such a great story, Kylee, and I utterly, completely CRACKED up when I read about the pogo stick. can see it all now....

Shady Gardener said...

Wonderful post! And a wonderful way to tell your dad how much you appreciate and love him. :-)

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