Off their rockers? No way

Sue Painting (left), Ngaire Podjursky and Teddy get to test drive the rocking chairs made by Peter Painting. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO

There is nothing like a rocking chair to soothe away the worries of the day, especially when you can park it under a shady tree on a hot summer evening.

Castlecliff builder Peter Painting thought so and that is why he started making his custom-designed chairs that can be used in or out of doors.

"I used to make Cape Cod chairs, which were quite popular, and then I was asked to make a rocking chair," he said.

He drafted a pattern for a large rocking chair and decided to make a smaller version for children as well.

"They are made of white pine, which is locally sourced from Bunnings, and I sell them unpainted so people can choose their own treatment," says wife Sue Painting.
"Children love the idea that they can decorate their own chair."

Mr Painting's aunt, Ngaire Podjursky, was the inspiration for the chairs when she said she wished she had one.

"Lots of people remember rocking chairs," Mrs Painting says.

"They remember being rocked to sleep in them when they were babies."

When Mrs Painting researched the cost and availability of rocking chairs for sale, she found there were not a lot on offer.

"We thought there was a market there and the fact that these are made in Whanganui from locally sourced materials should give them a bit of extra appeal," she said.

Mr Painting has also created two types of foot stool to use with the chairs.

Currently fitting the rocking chair work around employment as a full-time builder, Mr Painting says he would like to make the chairs a full-time thing if he gets enough orders.

The chairs can be viewed online at offyourrocker.wixsite.com/newzealand.