As I wrote in a previous entry, I constantly
question what I make. The most recent
entry regarding color, which I have deleted, is
an example.

During the past few years I have been
experimenting with adding color to the fur-
niture. I first discovered a line of
plywood that has a dyed surface along
with a sheet of heat-set clear plastic
over the top for protection. Due to the small
amount of Weed Furniture pro-
duced, not to mention the slicky plastic
surface, this was dismissed. Then I began
experimenting with dyes and tints.

Ever since 2001 when I began remodel-
ing the elocution/recital hall shown above,
I have become fascinated with
the inherent color of materials. I devel-
oped an aversion to paint and sand-
blasted many layers from the wooden eaves
and windows along with the con-
crete stem wall. This lead to a white Aalto
armchair, black Jieldé lamps, and a black
Raleigh bicycle. Yes, I even remove the noisy
labels from canned chickpeas and
chipotles before placing them on the shelf
so that I can enjoy the plain material.

My first thought when dying the furniture
was ‘why not’ because the grain
remained visible and so it seemed somehow
honest. Today, while sitting in the front
yard looking at the facade I thought, ‘what’s
wrong with the color of plywood?’

Therefore I will continue to experiment
with and produce the furniture only in plain
material such as Birch plywood.