A Little Pink Chair for My Niece’s First Birthday

For my niece’s first birthday, I wanted to create something unique and special. I decided to design and build this little pink Adirondack chair, perfectly sized just for her.

I started by creating the design in Adobe Illustrator. I focused on making it both sturdy and safe, with a classic look that would fit her size. Once I finished the design, I exported the files to Carbide Create to set up the tool paths based on the dimensions of the material. With everything prepared, I used my Shapeoko CNC to cut out each piece precisely.

After cutting, I rounded the edges of each piece with a trim router to ensure a smooth, safe finish. Then, I assembled the parts with screws to make sure the chair was solid and could handle plenty of playtime.

The finishing steps required some patience. I carefully sanded the chair, filled in any gaps and holes with wood bondo, and sanded it again for a seamless surface. I applied multiple coats of paint, sanding between each coat to achieve a smooth, vibrant pink finish. After the final coat, I let the chair cure for several days to minimize any lingering paint smell before the party.

As a final touch, we added a battery-powered fan that clips onto the chair to keep her cool and comfortable.

Seeing her sit in it for the first time made all the effort worthwhile. This little chair was a true labor of love.