Imperfections

This afternoon I finally finished my wedding gift for Deven and Kaylee. They tied the knot March 25th, I had a shower for K two weeks before that and had intended to give her this gift then. Issues arose.

Today, April 27th, the coffee table is finally a part of their first nest. I bought the piece from the KSL classifieds almost 3 months ago. I have seen a lot of furniture in my work, but never have I encountered a piece just like this. It is the most unique thing I have ever seen. I have no idea when it was made, but love for the shape and the lines convinced that nothing else really mattered.

True antique? No idea. Worth more than 40 bucks, probably not.

Upon close inspection of the coffee table you will see many flaws. It has been clearly used. I opted for a light sanding and spray paint in a high gloss, white. Now, most designers would tell you not to 'high gloss' anything that doesn't have a perfect finish because all the flaws will immediately be seen. But, I felt that the imperfections in this piece added to it's charm and beauty and needn't be disguised.

Each ding has a tale to tell, each scratch an event lived through. Personality in a piece of furniture is not something that can be falsely created.

And so I ask, "What makes a person beautiful and valuable?"

So often we compare ourselves with another shape or finish, or falsely assume that our imperfections are in high gloss. I often I am tempted to feel that my flaws are what make the Me, and that my value decreases with each scratch and ding.

I wish that we could stand back from ourselves and see the way we appear to our Heavenly Father. Are we timeless and unique in his eyes? Are our scratches and loose knobs part of the priceless piece?

I think so. I know so!

It is something that I must remind myself all the time. A lesson that is continually learned. It's not that I often feel like a cheap piece of furniture, more that I wonder about whether or not I am really special and valuable. (Is it so hard to believe that I feel a little unimportant when the world is in complete raptures with Kate Middleton? Seriously, I had to quit watching TV. 'Royal Wedding' extravaganza is making me nuts.)

I am glad that the atonement makes it possible to fix the real bangs. The ones that need putty, and sanding and a fresh paint job. But, may I close this rant with the thought that the small imperfections we posses are part of our unique art. Quirks, features, shapes. Certainly there are those who love us solely for being the only one like us. And, are most cherished by the ones who lovingly crafted our form, and paid the purchase price.

P.S. My camera is not MIA, but 'presumed dead.' The photo above is of a room I finished this fall for a client in Logan. I thought it appropriate because there were many imperfections about this room. We had to meet a tight budget, repair walls, use hand-me-downs, repaint a few KSL steals and sort through a LOT of junk. The result of this project was truly breathtaking. It was one of the few rooms where my own tears where shed when I presented it to it's owner. (Check out the purple marble goose on the bedside table, FABULOUS!)