{"product_id":"cilla-memorial-storytelling-chair","title":"Cilla — Personalised Memorial Storytelling Chair","description":"\u003cp\u003eA personalised memorial storytelling chair is the most meaningful piece of furniture a school can commission — a lasting tribute carved in solid oak that keeps a beloved memory alive every single day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo examples show the breadth of what's possible. The first was made in memory of \u003cstrong\u003eCilla\u003c\/strong\u003e, the much-loved school cat whose name travelled well beyond the school gates. Her portrait, surrounded by flowers and the creatures she shared her days with, is carved into every panel. The second was created for the staff and children of Snapdragon Nursery, in memory of a beloved teacher — a gentle, woodland scene that feels like a place she would have loved. Both chairs now sit at the heart of their school's outdoor space, gathering children around them every day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chair is made from solid oak in our Mid Wales workshop, with solid hand-built joinery designed to last for decades of outdoor use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"I absolutely love it! I think the wood colours are fantastic — I will show it to the children tomorrow in assembly.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e— Sally Taylor, Headteacher, Outwoods Primary School\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDimensions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTotal height: 140 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWidth: 70 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDepth: 70 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are generously proportioned chairs, designed to feel like a throne — comfortable for adults and welcoming to children gathering around.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFully bespoke carving\u003c\/strong\u003e — portrait, name, date, favourite animal, flowers, or any scene that carries meaning for your school\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSolid oak construction\u003c\/strong\u003e — a durable, beautiful hardwood that holds fine portrait and relief carving\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChoose your finish\u003c\/strong\u003e — supplied unvarnished as standard, or add three coats of Epifanes yacht varnish for lasting colour and sheen (+£50)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSolid hand-built joinery\u003c\/strong\u003e — built in Mid Wales to last a generation of outdoor use\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIndoor and outdoor use\u003c\/strong\u003e — equally at home in a reading corner, library, or school garden\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eYour Version\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour memorial chair begins with a conversation. Who or what are you commemorating? A school mascot, a beloved teacher, a founding figure, a pet who was part of the school family? We'll work with you to sketch the design before a single cut is made — sharing references, ideas, and artwork until it feels right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTypical lead time is 4–5 weeks, though we can work to tighter timelines for significant dates — end of term, a retirement, an anniversary. \u003cstrong\u003ePrices include VAT.\u003c\/strong\u003e Schools can order by purchase order and pay on invoice — no upfront payment required. We're happy to provide our VAT number, bank details, and address if your school needs to register us as a supplier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSee our full range in the \u003ca href=\"\/en-de\/collections\/storytelling-chairs\" style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003estorytelling chairs collection\u003c\/a\u003e, or \u003ca href=\"\/en-de\/pages\/contact-us\" style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eget in touch\u003c\/a\u003e to begin your memorial chair design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFinish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis piece is supplied \u003cstrong\u003eunvarnished\u003c\/strong\u003e as standard. Left natural, solid oak slowly weathers to a soft, silvery-grey — completely normal for outdoor timber, a graceful way for a piece to age, and with \u003cstrong\u003eno maintenance needed\u003c\/strong\u003e. If you’d prefer to bring out the grain and warm, honeyed tones, choose the \u003cstrong\u003evarnished\u003c\/strong\u003e option (+£50) and we’ll hand-apply three coats of Epifanes, a premium marine yacht varnish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer; font-weight:bold;\"\u003eMore about the two finishes\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin-top:8px;\"\u003eOutdoor furniture takes a real beating from sun and weather. Left natural, an unvarnished piece simply silvers over time and asks nothing of you. A varnished piece keeps its rich sheen for a couple of years; after that the varnish may begin to flake or patch, at which point you can simply re-coat it, or let it weather back to that natural silvery-grey. Either way, your oak is fine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e","brand":"FreeRangeDesigns","offers":[{"title":"Unvarnished","offer_id":55030565077367,"sku":"FRD-BEN-WD-1042","price":1200.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Varnished (+£50)","offer_id":57213738090871,"sku":"FRD-BEN-WD-1042","price":1274.09,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0267\/7673\/1729\/files\/cilla-memorial-storytelling-chair-handcrafted-wooden-tribute-3713504.jpg?v=1776705272","url":"https:\/\/freerangingdesigns.com\/en-de\/products\/cilla-memorial-storytelling-chair","provider":"FreeRangeDesigns","version":"1.0","type":"link"}