The Happy Chair: a fortunate collision between NASCAR and design.
EcoSalon’s demographic doesn’t necessarily veer towards the NASCAR market, but Shawna Robinson’s line of salvaged furniture, Happy Chairs, could change all that. It’s what Shawna does after all: breaking barriers, taking risks, screechingly putting a halt to “the conventional” and so-called norm.
In 2002, the single mom raced in the Daytona 500 and came in 24th place. In its 50-year history, there have only been three women to race the Daytona 500: Janet Guthrie in 1977 and 1980 (finishing in 12th and 11th place respectively), and today’s glamorous trailblazer Danica Patrick, who finished 38th this past February, a full decade after Robinson competed.
Before that, she was named Rookie Driver of The Year in The Great American Truck Racing Series (GATR). When she raced in the Goody’s Dash Series (we had to look it up, too) she became the first woman driver to qualify first (pole position) for a race, later winning Rookie of The Year and Most Popular Driver of the Year. There was the Busch Series (now Nationwide Series) and the ARCA Series.
And now, a series of very cool chairs made from old, salvaged and weathered pieces of furniture. Armchairs that would have otherwise been retired, kicked to the curb, disqualified on the back marker. Armchairs that are now back in groove, coasting through the victory lane.
“I love big, bold, crazy color. I love art. I love animals and as is evident from my past as a NASCAR race car driver, I love the thrill of taking risks,” she states on her website.
Her one of a kind pieces, built in her Charlotte, North Carolina studio, are available for purchase via her website. Customization upon request.
Images: Happy Chairs; Happy Chairs/Flickr