With Mother's Day approaching I thought I would share my most memorable one with you all. I think three years have past since the beauty parlor chair incident.
the update...I did get the legs refinished and put it all back together. There are still plans to "customize" it...do a little painting inside the dryer top...perhaps. I love seeing it in my studio! It inspires me to slow down and observe all the exciting possiblities each day brings; and to, not forget to have fun and smile whenever possible.
I like unusual things...things with unexpected possibilities...and chairs, I love chairs.
Driving through back streets on my way to church, I noticed a chair sitting in the side yard of a little block house. The neighborhood is one block from the beach, lots of rental homes most of them built in the 50's and 60's. I was immediately intrigued by the beauty parlor dryer chair with a elongated bullet-shaped dryer; definitely "vintage". I continued to notice the chair, week after week, and commented to my sons that I loved the chair...and wanted to have the chair. I lamented on rainy Sundays, that my chair was getting all wet. I said that I was going to ask for the chair. Many months passed by and on one Sunday...no chair. The chair was gone.
Driving through back streets on my way to church, I noticed a chair sitting in the side yard of a little block house. The neighborhood is one block from the beach, lots of rental homes most of them built in the 50's and 60's. I was immediately intrigued by the beauty parlor dryer chair with a elongated bullet-shaped dryer; definitely "vintage". I continued to notice the chair, week after week, and commented to my sons that I loved the chair...and wanted to have the chair. I lamented on rainy Sundays, that my chair was getting all wet. I said that I was going to ask for the chair. Many months passed by and on one Sunday...no chair. The chair was gone.
I was so distressed...physically, when you heart starts pounding and you get that pit in your stomach.
I believe it was the following day...I drove to the house, knocked on the door and introduced myself as a local artist, who had noticed the chair that "used to be in the yard" and inquired if something had happened to the chair. Well...the young surfer "dude" that I was speaking with explained that they had moved the chair to the back patio, "yea it's still here...why"? As nonchalantly as I could reply, I said I liked old things and thought I could do something with it. He said that the chair belonged to his roommate, who wasn't home, and I should check back. I nervously wrote my phone number and handed it to him...I asked him to please have his roommate call me about the chair. I was trying not to get too excited...look too anxious.
I believe it was the following day...I drove to the house, knocked on the door and introduced myself as a local artist, who had noticed the chair that "used to be in the yard" and inquired if something had happened to the chair. Well...the young surfer "dude" that I was speaking with explained that they had moved the chair to the back patio, "yea it's still here...why"? As nonchalantly as I could reply, I said I liked old things and thought I could do something with it. He said that the chair belonged to his roommate, who wasn't home, and I should check back. I nervously wrote my phone number and handed it to him...I asked him to please have his roommate call me about the chair. I was trying not to get too excited...look too anxious.
I waited for that phone call...at least two days. I drove back over, but no one was home. The Friday before Mothers Day I got up early and couldn't stop agonizing over the chair. I woke up my two sons, Jay and Tom and asked them to pay close attention. "I am your mother, and Mothers Day is this Sunday, I want one thing for Mothers Day and I will be disappointed if I don't get it". I remember this moment...I am not proud of it...but I remember it. My oldest son was still in college and the youngest one was in high school; neither of them had any money. I had recently sold some art and still had some of the cash in hand. I counted out $115 and told Jay to take the money and drive over to the chair house and negotiate the procurement. I suggested he see if they would like to give him the chair to humor his mom...and to take it from there. Tom was going along to help with loading and delivery. They returned with a tale of the garbage truck showing up...and the chair was in the truck and they followed it but it turned...a lie. I could tell by their faces, a mother knows. No, no...they had the chair! I was sooooo excited.
How much did they charge for the chair, I asked? Well, Jay says, I asked the guy what he would take and he asked what I thought it was worth...and before I could start with a low price, Tom says,"didn't mom say she would pay $115? Sold...$115.
I still have big plans for the chair...I have had it upholstered in hot pink glitter vinyl, and the elongated helmet top has been repainted, I still need to re-do the chrome legs. I want to call it the get plugged into art chair, or something like that and give it a prominent place at my studio. Regardless...I love the chair, I love the boys who got me the chair, and I can't imagine a more wonderful Mothers Day.
the update...I did get the legs refinished and put it all back together. There are still plans to "customize" it...do a little painting inside the dryer top...perhaps. I love seeing it in my studio! It inspires me to slow down and observe all the exciting possiblities each day brings; and to, not forget to have fun and smile whenever possible.
