Hidden Message Reveals Family History of Donated Dresser

October 24, 2017

• Donated Furniture
• Renewing Lives

Every piece of furniture donated has a story. Imagine our surprise when we found a hidden message under the drawer of this hand-made dresser!

Our logistics coordinator John Dunlap was refurbishing this dresser and discovered the hand-written message, explaining that this chest was made by Richard Morse Chapin, 1928-2016. It says, “Richard was a furniture designer who built this chest for his son’s clothes. He was a kind and gentle man.” This brought tears to our eyes!

We wanted to know who Richard Chapin was, so we did a little research. Richard was a furniture designer in New York in the 1950’s then opened his own firm, Chapin Designs, in Charlotte in 1966. He helped found the American Society of Furniture Designers and served as president in 1985-86. He spent three years in the Navy, was passionate about sailing and was an accomplished musician. And he built this beautiful chest!

John sanded the drawers, top and side and brought it back to life so someone else can use it for another 50 years. He even added his own message for the new owner. Just last week, this dresser was chosen from our showroom and went home with someone from our partner SouthLight Healthcare who is getting a new start a new life.

The Green Chair Project: more than a store–a story. To Richard’s family for giving us this gift, and to David Chapin who wrote this message, thank you. When you donate something with meaning to The Green Chair Project, you know it’s going to a good home.