19th April 2023
Today was a treat, a trip to Byron Center to meet the guy who is making our wood countertop.
After a twenty minute drive we arrived at large red barn surrounded by stacks of air drying timber. John, was loading planks into a customer’s truck.
He showed us round his yard, tons of timber of every species was there. He mills the trees, of which he had dozens lying about, and the best was still in store.
Inside his barn, which was three stories high, he had a sixteen foot ceiling completely done out in tongue and groove pine which he machined himself. There was masses of the stuff, all finished in marine varnish. His floor was oak held down with over thirty thousand screws, each was covered with a walnut plug, it looked a work of art.
The best of it was he doesn’t run it as a proper business, he loves working with wood, and that’s why he does it. He does make table tops, mainly for people he knows, but he works alone with decent equipment.
His left hand shows a lot of wear, tips missing and scarred, but it hasn’t deterred him from what he loves, and I guess he knows the quickest way to the hospital.
I went there to clarify what top I wanted, I had sent sketches, but when I spoke over the phone I wasn’t alway confident that he fully understood, so a face to face meeting was essential. He showed us the beech planks he had selected for us, which looked great, and we are looking forward to seeing the final product.
The rest of the afternoon was spent finishing off the large mid century style dresser ready for collection. We had two customers due early evening to collect both pieces, which was welcomed.
The First Lady arrived and was all over the mid century one telling us that she needed it for “their cottage” but it was not able to fit into her vehicle because of a fitted child seat.
She then said that either her or her husband would be round would be round to collect it tomorrow. Then she added, “ but if anyone else wants to buy it in the meantime they can have it”.
Now if that’s not a statement of purchasing intent, I don’t know what is.
I don’t understand these people, they gush pleasure one minute, then go cold the next, I don’t think they are genuine people at all.
The next couple arrived just as the first was leaving, they were a bit indecisive, that had seen one other that had more drawers, bla, bla, but wasn’t painted, bla, bla, but ours had nicer knobs, bla, bla.
“JUST BUY IT LADY!” I was shouting inside, in the end she offered less, I just said “YES” just for them to go, I guess I’m not the most patient salesperson.
Another Lifetime to go 