A Work of Art

Billy and I have been living with a college-student television "get-up" for the last ten years. Seeing as how we are both in our mid-thirties and have a child, we figured it was time to upgrade from the old black TV stand and 783lb tube television to a nice armoire and flat screen. Easier said than done.

The flat screen part was easy--we bought one for what was a good price back in January. Unfortunately, we sort of jumped the gun and that television sat in our guest bedroom for the next several months. Why? Because we couldn't find an armoire that would work. You see, we have an unusual nook in our living room--the only space where we could put an armoire. We couldn't find a piece that would fit the size of that nook AND fit the size flat screen we wanted. Of course, we are sort of picky when it comes to design, so we didn't want to sacrifice on taste or quality.

Flash forward to April. Our dear friends David and Ruthe Ball were over for dinner. We've known them for twelve years--Billy and I both worked with David back in the late 90s. David is a graphic designer and artist--and probably one of the most talented and visionary people I've ever met. We were explaining our television dilemma to them when David got up to take a closer look at the nook where the elusive armoire would have to fit. "I can build one for you," he responded.

Billy and I had discussed hiring someone to do a custom piece, but all the people we talked to were VERY expensive, and even at those high prices couldn't deliver the intricate detail we wanted. David's offer, particularly since we are familiar with his talent and trust him explicitly--he's one of the good guys--was as good as gold.

After months of blood, sweat and tears (primarily on David's part), we brought home a gorgeous work of art. I call it that because it's truly one of the most beautiful pieces of furniture I've ever seen. He designed it to complement a buffet piece we have in our dining room, complete with carved sun bursts in the doors of the armoire. And not only is it beautiful, it's functional, built precisely to our specifications and components. Best of all? We have a piece of furniture in our living room, prominently displayed, that reminds us of our wonderful friend David and the love he put into that piece.

David is honest, kind, hard working and fair. If you need a custom piece of furniture or shelving or whatever, he can build it for you and you can be sure you're getting the highest quality and attention to detail around. You can reach him at david@davidballdesign.com or at 512-293-4668.

Here are some pics of our beauty (they don't do the armoire justice--really, you have to see it in person to understand it's magnitude). And ignore the beer steins sitting on the top shelf of the armoire--those will be, ahem, replaced soon. (No offense, honey! They are lovely beer steins...)


Up-close detail shot--see the carvings and brown mesh covers over our speakers? So nice.