Comments from our Patrons

July 09, 2007

Sorry for not dropping a note to you earlier.

The table is very nice. It is just what I expected. You do very nice work.

J.P.D.

Fresno, California

September 09, 2005

Gary,

The table and chairs arrived Tuesday, and I just got the time to unwrap them last night. They are beautiful, as expected, and the table is indeed a nice size and looks good with just the two chairs. My small dinette set for two is perfectly proportioned; we did an excellent job of deciding upon the right size for the table top.

The color of the wood is not quite what I expected. It is a very neutral brown without any discernable red, green, or purple tinge, and it is a little lighter than anticipated. It is quite simply "brown" and, being not too dark and not too light, I am confident that it will go well in any setting I may find for it. (I plan to move a lot in the next few years.)

The grain on the table top is beautiful, and as you say, it is difficult to see the seams where the boards are glued together. I even went as far as to tape a piece of twine from edge to edge, along the seams to expose them. Still, there are areas where the grain of one board flows so well into the grain of the next, that it is quite impossible to follow any seam the entire length of the table!

The chairs are comfortable, just like my others, and I don't think I will miss the arms at all. The figure of the grain on the seat tops is stunning. Too bad most people won't see it, with the chairs shoved up to the table.

Thanks again for your work and dedication. You truly produce works of art. I am eagerly anticipating the introduction of the extra-large rocker. (Get to work!!) Hopefully by the time I retire. :-)

J.S.

Long Beach, California

June 28, 2005

Gary,

I just got home and saw the furniture. It is so beautiful! It fits perfectly, both our home and our style. Thank you.

L.S.

The Woodlands, Texas

September 22, 2004

Hi Gary,

Sorry for the delay. The chairs are beautiful, my friend R. C. delivered our new dining table last Sat. and we all sat together and laughed a lot. I am afraid my crazy life won't give me time today to truly express how much I enjoy both the look and feel of the chairs though I imagine I'll have 30 — 40 years to reflect on it and sooner or later the real letter will write itself. I hope that I can spread the word about your furniture and send some deserving sitters your way.

Thanks for the lifestyle change, all the best,

I.C.

Bar Harbor, Maine

July 15, 2004

Gary,

they're here!

and they are STUNNING. absolutely gorgeous. the proportions with the new leg bracings are perfect. thanks so much, Gary. these will be a family treasure for many generations!

also, our table has some reddish and gold hues that, if memory serves, were not nearly as present when the table was first built 6 years ago. the dining room faces west with huge picture windows across the west wall. would sunlight bring out those shades in walnut, or is that a function of the finish, or just a different color of walnut?

after many long years of searching, we finally have chairs that look like they were made for our lonely table. AND the arrival couldn't have been more perfectly timed. thanks again, Gary. keep in touch, and if you ever come thru nashville, make sure you let us know.

L.C.

Nashville, Tennessee

July 02, 2004

Gary,

We received the table today . . . It is beautiful, well worth the wait!

R. and S. W.

Grosse Ile, Michigan

May 14, 2004

Gary,

Hope all is well with your family. The table and chairs are great. Everyone can't believe how comfortable the chairs are. Thanks for all your help.

Yours truly,
B.D.

Charlotte, North Carolina

March 31, 2004

Gary —

Arrived home yesterday — table and chairs — and rocker — are great! The table is really more of a "treasure" that happens to be a trestle table. I will appreciate them for a very long time.

Many thanks,
R.N.

Austin, Texas

February 10, 2004

Hi Gary,

I just had a very exciting morning. The Plycon guys delivered the dining set today, a whole week early! I have to tell you that I am floored with your expert craftsmanship. A huge thank-you to your entire team. I only had a few moments to admire the satin smooth finish and enjoy the heft of the chairs before setting off to work, but dinner tonight will be a treat. I am extremely pleased with the set.

All the pieces were very well protected and everything seemed snugly wrapped. In fact, the delivery guy took quite a few minutes unraveling each piece. I only want to add that the delivery guy did ding one of the arm chairs. After unwrapping the chairs in the truck, he grabbed two chairs and tried to get them into the house all at once. Unfortunately, when he came up the porch steps, one of the chair tops banged into the ceiling overhang of the covered porch. I was rather disappointed with his carelessness, and I just wanted you to be aware of it. I'm not sure if this was an isolated incident with the particular delivery guy, or a mark of company, Plycon. I suggested that he bring in the rest of the pieces one at a time, which he did. Other than that, the delivery went very smoothly.

As for the ding in the chair back, I ran a barely-damp cotton cloth gently over the ding a couple of times, and got the white paint off. Can I use some lemon oil to get the luster back? Or should I hold off, until the chair cures a bit? The ding is very shallow, and about the width of a grain of rice. It isn't particularly noticeable (now that the paint is gone), but I just want to treat it right, and keep it protected.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks for the help,

C.C. (1 happy girl)

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C., I am delighted that you like your furniture and dismayed at the careless delivery. I have a simple repair that you can do to make the chair arm good as new; I just regret that you have to do it.

I am leaving for the day and will send more tomorrow.

Sincerely yours,

Gary

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

C.,

I hope dinner last night was a treat. Have the dinner party invitations gone out?

Rereading your note, I see that the ding is on the back of an arm chair, rather than the arm of the arm chair. Anyway, I can mail a repair kit to you with instructions, oil, and sandpaper. You can use a clothes iron and a damp cloth to drive steam into the compressed fibers, swelling them back to the surface. The following day, you can lightly sand with a very fine grit and apply a bit of the hand-rubbed oil finish that we use. You will need to lightly sand and re-coat on a subsequent day to get the sheen back. I am upset to put this on your plate, but it is not difficult or very time-consuming. The other options are:

1. Do nothing and consider that the first ding in the Charlene era of this long lasting furniture came too early.

2. Say to me: "Gary, you promised that the furniture would be delivered as new; I am hesitant to make this repair. Will you do it for me?" I will have it brought to me; I will repair it, and return it.

I hope you remain a "happy girl." I will do my part to keep it so.

Sincere thanks and regards,

Gary

San Mateo, California

September 05, 2003

Gary:

The table is beautiful. Lot's of work is evident in its making, especially the fine joints. The extra effort carefully packing the table pays off — it arrived in perfect condition, despite a battered crate. I had to bring the table home that same day to show R., not wanting/able to wait for a special occasion.

D.M.

Pittsburg, PA​