Field Tests

Year One

Eight years into a severe drought, we're finally getting some significant rain. We may have to mow the lawn more than five times this year. We may even have to run the string trimmer soon, which will mean moving some pieces of furniture.

It sort of looks like a rustic furniture moving company had a yard sale here and didn't put things away. That's because when Bill tests furniture finishes, he wants to expose them to the worst conditions possible. What looks good Year One has to stand up to sun, rain, snow, more sun, and expansion and contraction caused by heat and cold.

The milk paint field tests are in a handy spot for the watering can by the vegetable containers. Other tests get pulled into use to hold down tarps and landscape fabric, as the need arises. Some samples are screwed to the wall of an outbuilding. And some we use on the porch. Even if it's too cold to sit out there, it's handy to have a place to put groceries while opening doors.

The pebble-topped table on the porch may be moving to the yard after this summer. It's been on the porch seven years. The table is still solid and the finish is fine, but the bark is finally breaking away from the split-branch edging on the table top.

Bill's field test on this piece tells him that split-branch edgings are OK for inside but not for outdoor furniture. For me, the message is that there's a charm that comes with showing some age and imperfection. I think it's still beautiful.