Previous resident amazed with progress of the Shoals
I was honored with a brief visit yesterday by previous resident Steve Ainsley. Locals will remember Steve as the publisher of the TimesDaily back in the late '80s, and proceeded to eventually become publisher of the Boston Globe. He and his artist wife Ann have recently retired to Santa Barbara.
Steve is on a whirlwind driving/visiting/camping tour of the US. He pulled up in his Volvo with bike mounted on top and camping gear, and several pairs of running shoes plus plus, crammed in the back.
It appeared that he had zero room left, but we somehow managed to force a couple of small RWF pieces to add to his and Ann's growing collection.
We visited over lunch @ the new fab downtown Thai restaurant "Yumm". He couldn't have been more impressed with his sushi lunch and the super cool interior and vibe.
Steve was instrumental in leading our community in a progressive and thoughtful direction decades ago. Although he and Ann are firmly grounded in Santa Barbara, I planted the seed of taking on some type of advisory role for the community's continued supercool growth and direction. His only comment is that we were doing just fine without his help. I'm thinking we could do even "finer" with it!
I have a feeling Florence will be seeing more of Steve now that, for maybe the first time, he has time on his hands. As everyone who knew Steve from our past, don't be a stranger! We'd like to become your home away from (your new beautiful) home.
Steve Ainsley, past Shoals resident - retired publisher Boston Globe
steve ainsley road trip 2013
Steve Ainsley road trip
Museum of Alabama photo shoot - just awful
Having my photo taken - one of my most uncomfortable hangups.
The Museum of Alabama sent master photographer Mark Gooch around the state to take pics of 20 Alabamians for the final exhibit of phase two of their amazing project. Not really sure how I ended up in the mix, but the rest of the project seems to be totally first class. They've hired world class Museum designers and fabricators for the project. One of which just completed Presidential Library project in Texas.
Can you see that the photographer might just be "stumped" for the first time in his career? - Can you see how much fun I'm having? If I'm going to get over this one in my lifetime, I think I better get on with it.
Ellipitcal walnut top closeup
This 3" thick walnut tabletop is just about ready for the finishing room.
3" thick elliptical walnut top closeup.
We made this month's Florida Design
Well, one of our tables did.
Linda was shopping for groceries last night, was in the checkout line, picked up and briefly flipped thru the current Issue of Florida Design. Look what she found! My goodness I love (and could use) free press. This is a great article. But to be perfectly honest it's really about my over the top, super creative friend's in Winter Park - Phil Kean and Rob Turner of PKD.
The photo was of Phil's 2012 New American Home dining room. I think Phil's home make's a great new home for our single slab dining table. We collaborated with Rob and Phil on this dining table. Very pleased with the results.
Even my shiitake's are happy to see spring
My shiitake log has produced nothing all through the winter. Linda just put it outside for some fresh air. I've worked so hard to keep them inside "in the dark". Maybe they need some degree of sunlight therapy as much as I do.
These two little shiitake's seem to like fresh air and sunlight more than I realized.
Split Walnut Bench
This walnut bench is the last piece fresh out of the finishing room last week
Split walnut bench, close-up of dimensional joinery.
split solid walnut bench with dimensional joinery full view
Cherry Baptismal Font
This one took a while before the design flowed in. Again, curves aren't my forte'. But I think (hope) we got this one right. I hope to be able to see it in action in the church in Birmingham soon.
Baptismal Font, clsoeup of the custom beautiful blown glass bowl (supplied by the church).
Baptismal font from "her" view.
Solid Cherry Baptismal Font, full view.
custom solid cherry lectern
This custom order for a church in Birmingham included several pieces. The font and this lectern are the two more unusual and significant pieces of the group.
custom solid cherry lectern
Custom Made Desks
Custom is our specialty at Robin Wade Furniture
by Rachel Bergstrand
Feeling a lack of stimulation at work? The problem might be your surroundings—but don’t worry; Robin Wade Furniture has the solution. Each piece of Robin Wade furniture is as unique as the tree it came from. Every item comes embedded with its own individual history, providing the customer with the inspiration needed to power through the work day. Clients who submit a custom order will find they become a participant in Robin’s vision. In the off chance that two customers choose the same exact design, the unique grain of each slab of wood sets each piece apart from its brethren. Let’s be honest, it’s difficult not to get excited to sit down at your desk and get to work knowing that your desk was designed with you in mind.
Custom Made Desks
Custom Desk - in process
We're back in the Robb Report - well sort of
We were already getting all geared up to celebrate Independence Day, but now we have another big reason to party. We are back in the Robb Report - well sort of. After being featured last September, it never occurred to us that we might be back in the supercool, super luxurious Robb Report - particularly not within a year! But here we are.
We were already getting all geared up to celebrate Independence Day, but now we have another big reason to party. We are back in the Robb Report - well sort of. After being featured last September, it never occurred to us that we might be back in the supercool, super luxurious Robb Report - particularly not within a year! But here we are.
Linda was just looking through the July/August issue of the Robb Report's "Exceptional Properties" and did a triple take. A couple of pieces of our furniture that were showcased at the beautiful NAHB New American Home in Winter Park are sitting pretty front and center smack dab in the middle of three photos of this issue. Now, to be honest, this isn't a feature of Robin Wade Furniture. I couldn't even find a mention of us - that is - with the exception of these three photographs.
The feature was of another American Made icon, Timberlake Cabinetry of Winchester Virginia. Just a little more to celebrate this Independence Day
The feature was of another American Made icon, Timberlake Cabinetry of Winchester Virginia. Just a little more to celebrate this Independence Day
