Detailing, Design, & More

Journal Entry: 10.16.2024

Since our house renovation, I’ve been saving an old piece of lumber. It almost got tossed a few times while cleaning out the garage because it was dirty and dusty, but I kept insisting on holding onto it for a future project. That project finally came to fruition this past weekend: I made two coat racks out of it.

The lumber is probably 150+ years old (I’m being conservative, so likely even older). The age of the tree it came from is even more fascinating, considering it had to be mature enough to mill to the thickness of this piece. As I sanded the lumber down, it just kept becoming more and more beautiful. The patina in the wood grain had me so excited. It felt like velvet, like butter to the touch.

I used one of my uncle’s tools for punching my nail holes to line the hooks up. He’s passed away, but I know I share his same appreciation for this kind of detailed work and restoration. I got teary-eyed that day in reminiscence, but was left with a smile and a sense of peace, feeling like I wasn’t alone in making this project.

As I look at the finished piece, I reflect on how the tree that became this lumber isn’t gone, but rather here in a different form.