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 24^th 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 12^th and 11^th place respectively), and today’s glamorous trailblazer Danica Patrick, who finished 38^th 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

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Give your bathroom a rustic makeover with a found luggage case.  

Someday…

I would love to remodel my bathroom and use this steel Pharmacy Medicine Cabinet from Restoration Hardware for wall storage. It’s hard to find an industrial looking cabinet and this one looks like it’s straight out of a 19th Century doctor’s office. Love the aged patina and apothecary feel.

Today…

I can add some well-traveled flair from a cabinet made from an old suitcase. The owner of the one pictured below has added two shelves, a jewelry drawer and a handy mirror on the front. I love how she even kept the travel tags on the handle. Well-worn leather suitcases can be found in flea markets and garage sales for a steal. I picked up three the other day for one dollar each at different garage sales. Just add a little DIY and you can add some personality to any bathroom. Found on Etsy.

Someday/Today is a weekly column that inspires you to dream big for your home, and scale it to your lifestyle, always keeping sustainability of the planet – and your wallet – in mind.

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