Bored retiree creates supersized household objects

Bored Retiree Builds Oversized Household Objects

Steve Wainwright, a 62-year-old man from Peterborough, has turned his post-retirement boredom into a unique creative venture. After stepping down from his role at the East of England Ambulance Service in 2020, he began crafting enormous versions of everyday items, such as a giant pencil, a clothes peg, and a 13-amp plug. His home has become a surreal collection of oversized objects, evoking the whimsy of the 1980s film *Honey, I Shrunk the Kids*.

“Once retired, you can only cook and clean for so many hours,” Wainwright said. “Men often call my work impressive, but women usually wonder, ‘Where does your wife store it all?'”

Retired from his job in Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, Wainwright reluctantly embraced the role of a house husband. The monotony of routine inspired him to take on a new challenge. “I just got bored and needed a project,” he explained. His idea? Creating replicas of common household tools, but scaled up by a factor of ten. “I’m not great at maths, so 10 times seemed like a safe bet,” he added.

Materials and Time Investment

Wainwright’s creations, made from wood, metal, and plastic, have cost around £2,500 and required up to two weeks of work each. Some items, like a giant tape measure, have been repurposed into functional furniture, such as a coffee table. While he sells a few pieces locally through word of mouth, his primary goal remains personal enjoyment.

Family Perspective

His wife, Cat Thompson, 53, expressed appreciation for his efforts. “He keeps busy instead of idling around the house,” she noted. The oversized objects are mainly displayed on the garage wall, with additional storage in their summer room. “When I saw the plug, it was pure joy,” she said, highlighting the family’s lighthearted attitude toward the collection.

Wainwright has shared his work at charity events, where he noticed blind attendees especially enjoyed touching the large items alongside normal-sized ones. His most popular creation, a five-foot HB 2 pencil, has become a favorite among visitors. The public can experience his handiwork at the *Feel the Force Day* comic book convention in Peterborough Cathedral this September, where the scale of the objects will make people feel distinctly small.

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