I am the customer who commissioned Paul to make the Monk’s Bench (Settle).
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When I came up with the idea for a bench as a gift for my wife to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary it became very clear very early on that I do not process the skills to make what I wanted to the standard of quality that I was after for what I hope will become a family heirloom.
I sent Paul this sketch back in April. As you can see mixing of oak and walnut was one of my design requirements, along with the trefoils, the shape of the back and the positioning of the plaque.
What Paul then came up with was beyond my expectations.
I requested Paul to keep my involvement a secret in order that my wife should not happen on the forum and spoil the surprise and to insure that thoughts and ideas from members should remain forthcoming.
Keeping the secret has been tough as I also had to come up with a ruse for a journey to the UK to collect it and hide it on my return. She suspected nothing and was bowled over this morning when she discovered it in our living room. (it had been hiding in my workshop for two weeks)
Rod wrote:Beautiful and beautifully executed.
Your clients must be well pleased and what a treasure to enjoy and keep. Rod
We sure are.
For those that were concerned that such a piece would fit into a car
There was room in there for 4 of them!
Although by the time the bed was loaded (the ruse for the trip to the UK) it was not easy to see.
I also prepared a book which apart from a small intro from me is direct copy of Paul’s forum posts. A few pages of the book are shown below.
I hope the bench, sorry settle, will remain in the family for years to come along with the record of how it was designed and built.