Storage, Style and Satisfaction

I have developed a sincere appreciation for furniture pieces that include hidden storage compartments. Specifically, coffee and end tables. With a family of four humans and two dogs, there are plenty of odds and ends (and, frankly, ugly stuff) that need to be hidden away from visitors and ourselves alike.

What makes a great coffee table? For us, it’s a combination of things. We gather around its edges some Fridays and Saturdays for family game night, so it requires a sizeable surface. As an added bonus, said games can be stored inside the coffee table for easy accessibility. It must be sturdy and easy to wipe clean after the countless art projects it hosts. Since a table of the proportions we desire will likely be the centerpiece of the room, it must have rustic style and character. Last, but certainly not least, it must function as a comfortable footstool. Yes, we are a casual family that puts our feet up on the table when we’re relaxing.

Finding a coffee table that checks all the boxes can be quite a daunting task. I’m always on the lookout for one, even though we are more than satisfied with the one we have now. You never know, however, when the one you love is suddenly broken beyond repair and you have to replace it. Shopping in a state of desperation can lead to bad purchases, so having a reserve selection of furniture is never a bad idea. If you find an artisan or design that you love, add the contact information into your idea file, along with a photo, so it’s at the ready when you need it.

Storage, style and satisfaction…the ingredients for the Reclaimed Barnwood Coffee Table with Drawers. Add a smile and a sign of happiness as you put your feet up on its reclaimed barnwood top, and all the world is right for a while.

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Renovation Bathroom

On a recent episode of a home remodeling show, the contractor was explaining the two rooms that are most likely to sell a home: the bathroom and kitchen. I’m a sucker for a spacious and well-appointed kitchen, so that room came as no shock to me. But…the bathroom? It’s a space that is necessary, but not one that I would give extra attention to in plans for remodeling.

At the conclusion of that show, I ventured into my master bathroom and took a look around. Instantly I hung my head as I realized it was more “before” quality than “after”. I knew it was time for a little renovation.

As I contemplated a plan of attack for the bathroom, I decided that the changes would be mostly cosmetic. The size and layout were more than functional, it was just the appearance that was dull and outdated. New paint, vanity, fixtures and wall décor would be just the trick.

Over the years, we have become fans of the rustic style. As a result, every time we purchase new furniture for our home we buy quality reclaimed wood pieces. Our search led us to the Reclaimed Barnwood Barn Door Vanity custom built out of solid wood to our specifications then shipped direct to our door. The process was so easy; the builder sent us a sheet that walked us through how to take the correct measurements, we did so and emailed them back in, and our beautiful vanity showed up about six months later, ready for installation. A truly effortless experience.

I’m proud to say that now our bathroom is HGTV-worthy. I no longer cringe when I watch the beautiful bathrooms flash across my TV screen. In fact, I’m so proud of our “after”, I’m already making plans to do a renovation project on the kitchen. Next up: reclaimed barnwood cabinets!

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What’s Behind Door Number One

There is something magical about an old barn. So stately, so picturesque… I always try to envision the barn in its heyday, what role it played on the farm and what took place inside of it. I imagine the warm smell of animals, the slightly dusty but earthy scent of hay, the sweat dripping from the brow of the resident caretaker. It’s like a beautiful story just waiting to be unveiled.

Perhaps that same magic is what compels me to bring the elements of a barn into my home. Reclaiming lumber from the historic landmarks and finding new uses for it is a continual quest for me. From furniture to siding to wall décor, barnwood can be found in many places inside my home.

The decorator inside of me loves (LOVES!) to binge watch HGTV for new ideas. The day I watched Property Brothers and they installed a barn door on a master bath, I was in love. I had found my next project: Timber Frame Barn Wood Sliding Door for my downstairs hall bathroom. The traditional swinging door had been blocking traffic flow and the sliding door provided the perfect solution. What better way to highlight my love for rustic décor while providing a space saving door for the powder room? Perfect!

If you have a room in your house that you want to hide, but don’t have the space or desire to use folding or hinged doors, consider a barn door. Just hang it on a track and presto! Great style AND functionality.

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Rug Ed

We just moved into our first house with all hardwood floors. In fact, the only rooms in this 2,000+ square foot house with a different floor covering are the two upstairs bathrooms. I love the look, sound, and feel of the almost 100-year-old oak floors, but I am admittedly a little overwhelmed with the design choices available to soften their hard edges.

One of the first things I’ve noticed since ditching carpet is our furniture’s tendency to go slip-sliding every time I so much as situate a cushion or fuss over a spot on the armrest. I know that rugs will help to alleviate that problem, as well as warm up these beautiful wood floors with color and texture. But, where to start? How big? What shape? Where shall I put them?

Upon consulting the Google machine, I was presented with a few key tips for decorating with rugs. To break down the highlights of what I found:

1. Area rugs should be a minimum of six inches away from the walls of the room, and no more than two feet.
2. Hallway rugs should be situated so that any furniture in the entryway is entirely off the rug.
3. In an office, select a rug that is sizeable enough to accommodate both your desk and chair in such a way that you aren’t dragging or rolling off the sides of it.
4. In a living room, the rug should be big enough for the coffee table and front legs of chairs and/or sofas to sit on it. The rug should be the focal point of the room without under- or overwhelming the scene.

With that said, the Walk in the Woods Hooked Accent Rug is a pretty good find.

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Timeless Style

Let’s face it: many of our favorite things eventually go out of style. Some of us resist it, like that gal at the gym who continues to wear tights and legwarmers, even though the 80s were over many years ago. Or, the guy who still rocks the business-in-the-front-and-party-in-the-back hairstyle, another favorite in the eighties.

Suffice it to say, when making a significant purchase it is sensible to buy a high quality item and ensure it is of timeless style. Those considered to be financial experts sometimes advise that buying gold is an investment that will never steer you wrong. Others consider real estate to be a wise means of spending money. In the world of fashion, where many styles come and go on a whim, shoppers are encouraged to buy conservative cuts and colors that are more apt to be acceptable with the shift in what is considered ‘hip’ and ‘in vogue’.

In the world of home interiors, rustic and reclaimed furniture is a timeless investment. Design trends may ebb and flow but the practice of carefully harvesting boards from neglected old barns and structures to re-use them in new and inventive ways will never go out of style. Not only is reclamation environmentally friendly, the look of rustic sophistication that can be created with combinations of old and new materials is unmatched by any modern factory-made product. Just take a look at this Floating Timber Rough Sawn Barnwood Dining Table.

If you are looking to purchase some new decor and are seeking an investment with timeless appeal, look no further than reclaimed furniture. You won’t be disappointed.

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Come in and Have a Seat

Our house has become quite a neighborhood gathering spot for the kids. I both love and loathe the fact that a series of local boys traipse freely in the front door and out the back…over and over again, as if they are doing laps around the house. I love that parents trust us and the kids make themselves at home, but I loathe that they track “things” all through the house because they don’t stop to take their shoes off and/or empty their pockets before they come through the door.

As we all know, boys are always on the move. Slowing down, let alone stopping to do something, is far from their nature. When I was thinking of a way to get the boys to take their shoes off before they came into the house, I knew I had to be creative.

Luckily, I have great spaces inside both the front and back doors. I found two sturdy yet sophisticated Cedar Lake Log Slab Benches and ordered them in lengths suitable for the spaces. An attractive yet durable rug went down on the floor, covering the entire expanse from entry to under the bench. The entire ensemble provides a visual reminder to the boys that shoes belong on the rug only, and they have a great opportunity to come in, sit down, and shed the shoes.

Now, whether or not my solution works is yet to be determined. Stay tuned.

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An Office for Momma and the Mini

It’s an exciting time in our household. We are preparing to make yet another move, this time way down south to the rolling hills of south Georgia. Although we are filled with anticipation of the unknown, this adventure takes us back to some familiar territory.

We have again chosen to live on Fort Benning, rather than in one of the surrounding communities. There are several good reasons for our choice, but by doing so we suffer the consequence of moving into a house we have never seen. The only premonition we have of our home for the next two years is Google’s satellite view, maps of the installation, and a floor plan that may or may not be accurate for the particular house we’ve been assigned.

It’s quite an adventure.

I promised our youngest son that I would set him up with an office in this house. If the floor plan in my possession rings true, the rooms hold plenty of opportunities for his pint-sized workspace. In fact, I may be able to dedicate a space that can hold both his desk and mine. To be truthful, both of our “desks” are really tables equipped with file holders, storage spaces, and pen cups. I especially love that we have matching rough-cut tables, his Homestead Rough Sawn Child's Table being a shorter and smaller version of mine.

Stay tuned for updates on the workspace for me and my mini entrepreneur.

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There is a Difference

I have been married to my husband for almost ten years, but he still manages to surprise me. He’s a “guy’s guy”, parked in front of the TV on weekends during football season and spouting sports statistics to his buddies whenever they get together. He likes to hunt with his buddies back home and drink a couple of beers with friends new and old.

The other day, I flippantly threw an invitation his way to attend a local craft show with me. To my amazement, he cheerfully accepted. (In hindsight, I think his definition of “craft show” is root beer and whoopee pies. LOL) And so it was our family of four was found walking the streets of Occoquan, gazing under canopies at all the wares and whims available for purchase.

We were simultaneously drawn to a vendor with cool-looking furniture. As we approached, we ooh’ed and aah’ed over the rustic appearance of the dining table. Its rough cut surface had streaks of turquoise and red paint, nicely balancing the natural wood grain. The edges were wrapped in wrought iron, and it was an impressive sight.

But, as I looked closer and inspected the matching buffet, I opened a drawer and saw pressboard. My heart dropped as I realized; even though this set was made to look rustic and reclaimed, it was anything but. The lumber had been rough cut and treated to look weathered and cheap materials had been used in areas that were out of sight. Suddenly the quality of the table was cheapened to match the price on its tag.

Be a smart shopper. When researching a potential furniture purchase, inspect it inside and out. If possible, talk to the person who made it. Find out how it was made, what materials were used, and know whether the lumber is reclaimed or made to look rustic. When it comes to rustic furniture, there is a difference. Make an informed purchase so you won’t be surprised or disappointed later. A good example of a great quality piece would be this Timber Frame Gable Barnwood Dining Table.

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A Win-Win Sleeping Situation

As most people are aware, one of the hallmarks of being a military family is frequent moves. We are preparing to embark on yet another Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move in less than a month. This will be our fifth move, so we are starting to “get the hang of” the entire experience. Although, every move is different and we always seem to learn something new.

We always opt for a moving company to pack and move the majority of our household goods. We do have a utility trailer and move a few things ourselves…mostly family heirlooms, items of value, and the assorted items that the moving company will not transport. One thing we have moved ourselves, from our very first PCS, is the mattress from our futon.

While that may seem to most like an odd choice, we have a specific purpose for the futon mattress. Oftentimes, we get the keys to our new house several days before our household goods arrive. The futon mattress functions as a comfortable sleeping solution until we get our bed. We just set the mattress on the floor of our bedroom, slip some sheets and blankets on it, and we get a good night’s rest. (I have a hard time sleeping on an air mattress, but am more than comfortable on a futon mattress.)

We have even used the mattress for overnight getaways. It fits perfectly into the bed of our truck, which has a bed cover. It’s a cozy place to sleep, but it’s comfortable and it keeps us warm and dry.

Have a move planned in your near future? Consider packing your Lakeland Cedar Log Futon mattress for a win-win sleeping situation.

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