Happy New Year!

All of us at Wilderness Creations, LLC. would like to wish you a very Happy New Year!
We hope that you have a great 2011!

Cheers!

In The Workshop

Right now I am finishing up a custom armoire, made from rustic rough cut boards. It is being stained in order to more closely match it to other barn wood furniture that the customers own. It has two doors and a wooden pole for hanging clothes. It is always challenging to work with warped and cupped wood, but if you like the imperfections of rustic furniture then you will probably be able to appreciate the look of this armoire. Pieces do not fit together perfectly, and that is what makes it look like an old furniture item, that could have been built long ago. I will post photos soon when I complete the project, which should be next week. Right now I am just putting the finishing touches on.

Rustic Home Staging

Home staging can be very important for selling a home. Staging is the process of setting up a house as if it were being lived in, but without any clutter or mess. This helps prospective buyers to imagine how they would set up there home. They can then visualize and better determine whether their furniture will fit and how it will look. Home staging typically helps a home sell faster and for a higher price. Isn't that what you are after? It does cost money to stage and most homeowners don't want to spend more on their home in order to sell it, but studies have shown that the investment is well worth it. Homes sell faster, which saves the home owner in utilities, insurance, mortgage payments and maintenance. Usually the cost of staging is easily covered by higher offers. One source (stagedhomes.com) states that an average staging investment of $300-$400 can return $1,500-$2,000 in increased home price (586%).
Speak to an expert and give serious consideration to staging your home before putting it on the market, the chances are that it will be well worth it.
There are many styles and types of homes and if you are selling a rustic cabin, cottage or log home then you want to work with someone that understands this niche. A home being sold as a retreat or second home can be staged accordingly. If your are selling a house in the mountains, on the lake, or that is a hunting camp then you can market to the buyers that are most likely to be viewing the home. With rustic and Adirondack furnishings you can create a warm, cozy feeling, full of character. This presents a true retreat and vacation home that is very different than there permanent home.
So, if you want to sell your home or need to sell your home then speak to your realtor or a staging expert about the costs and process of home staging. I hope your real estate sale goes well!

Wilderness Creations, LLC. Dublin, NH.

Our rustic furniture gallery, decorated for the holidays. Located on Route 101 (1327 Main St.) in Dublin, New Hampshire.
Happy Holidays!

Old Hickory Furniture Video

Check out a quick video on how Old Hickory rustic furniture is made. Meghan Carter of www.AsktheDecorator.com talks with Rocco Liott, president of Old Hickory Furniture Co. about the rustic style.
http://www.oldhickory.com/video2.html



View Old Hickory Products- http://www.rusticfurnituregallery.com/home.php?cat=54

Model Log Home Furnishings

The model home is a huge investment and key to your companies success. You know that or you wouldn't bother building one. Make sure that you finish it with the right furnishings and proper touches that will make it look beautiful, but also make it look like a real home. Catch the attention of your visitors and spark their creativity. You want them spending time in your model and dreaming and envisioning what their new log or timber home will look like. Bring in the experts from Wilderness Creations to furnish and accessorise your model home, so that it is reaching it's full potential to sell your new homes and services. We specialize in rustic and Adirondack style furnishings and accessories, and can provide one character piece or furnish an entire home.

Contact the specialists at 603-563-7010

or Mark@RusticFurnitureGallery.com

Old Hickory Furniture Company

View a brief slide show of the Old Hickory factory and rustic Hickory furniture being made.
http://www.oldhickory.com/catalog/factorytour.gif

Old Hickory furniture is of the highest quality, built to last for generations, and proudly made in the USA.


View the Old Hickory catalog at http://www.rusticfurnituregallery.com/home.php?cat=54

Just In! Beautiful Wool Rugs and Pillows.

Wilderness Creations has added a new line of rugs and pillows from Chandler 4 Corners. This Manchester Center Vermont company has hundreds of great designs for rugs, pillows, benches, stools, blankets and more. We are very excited to add these accessories to our huge list of product options. Chandler 4 Corners has the high level of quality that we demand in our products. Designer Laura Megroz has put forth an incredible line that will add warmth and character to any room. Designs include wildlife, outdoor activities, seasonal scenes, coastal themes, pets, boating and more. Hooked rugs come in 2' by 3', 32" round, 2' by 4', 4' by 6', 6' by 9', and 8' long sizes. The wool hooked pillows are 18" square. Come check out this latest edition to our gallery. We've got rugs, pillows and stools in stock, as well as the complete catalog of Chandler 4 Corners, which can be ordered in quickly. For more information call 603-563-7010.

Dream

Dream- "A strongly desired goal or purpose".
It's not just OK to dream, it is a necessity. There are always people that will make you think twice about sharing an idea, or cut down a "far fetched" thought. Somehow we need to see beyond those people and keep on dreaming. What do you want? What would be fun to do? Where would you like to travel? If you don't pursue an idea then it definitely won't happen, but if you do look into it and think further about it then it has a chance. If it doesn't work out or doesn't end up being fun like you thought, well at least you tried and learned. Next time your "dreaming" will reflect what you've learned. Sometimes getting what you want takes some risk. Risk of being questioned by others, risk of it not working out, financial risk, etc... If it doesn't work out then you make another change and pursue another dream.

NASE Interview

I was recently asked to answer some questions for an upcoming article in Self-Employed Magazine. The magazine is published by NASE (The National Association of Self Employed), which I have been a member of for about 4 years. I thought for this blog that I would post their interview questions and my answers, as a way to give more information about ourselves and our business. The article is scheduled to be published in the March/April 2011 issue.



11/7/10
1. Tell us about Wilderness Creations. What do you do? When did you start your business? And why?
The company is owned and operated by myself and my wife Tasha (Nicholson).
We sell rustic and Adriondack style furnishings and home accessories. Furniture for every room of the house, as well as outside spaces and accessories such as lighting, artwork, antiques, carvings, books and so on. We help customers and clients find unique furniture pieces that will add beauty and character to their home, business or vacation retreat.
Wilderness Creations, LLC. is in it’s 8th year, in it’s current location and form. Before that the business was very small. I built rustic furniture out of our garage workshop at our house for several years before opening the store.
I started the business because I loved the Adirondack/Rustic style. It is what I want in my house and it feels more like a lifestyle than just picking a piece of furniture. It was one of those points in life where I wanted a change and a challenge. I definitely got both of those. I enjoy nature and being in the outdoors, and to me, this style of furniture is very natural and bridges the gap between indoors and outdoors.


2. How do you select the items that you sell on your website and in your gallery? Do you make any of the items yourself? If so, which one is your favorite and why?
We have relationships with many companies and crafts people that supply us with our unique merchandise. We choose items that are well built and that will last. Furnishings that are sturdy, but also beautiful and functional. From there, we try to pick things that we think will be popular and that will sell, but we also pick items that we appreciate and would enjoy ourselves.
I do make furniture myself as well. That is where the business began and that is still a big part of it. I do custom pieces for clients that are looking for something that we can’t find from other suppliers. Or sometimes they just want to know the craftsperson and have furniture that is made locally.
Trying to pick a favorite piece of furniture after more than ten years of building is tough, but I would have to say that it is a coffee table that we still use every day in our home. It is one of the first things that I made when I started learning the trade, in a small town in Colorado, in the late 90’s.


3. What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received from a customer?
We are lucky enough to receive compliments almost on a daily basis. People that get very excited to see the products in our gallery and learn that we are here, with our unique inventory. But one of the best compliments I have ever received I will leave in the words of the customer, in the form that it came to me:
Hi Mark,
Words cannot express how deeply I appreciate what you have done for my daughter, Whitney.
You have made for her something that will last her lifetime, that is so unique and different than the norm. She couldn’t stop talking about how much she loved the barn wood and how you had transformed it into exactly what we had envisioned.
Many thanks for all of your help. Your talent is truly appreciated!
Viv


4. You’ve been an NASE member for about four years. Which member benefits have you used and how have they helped your business?
We have been using the health insurance that is associated with NASE for the entire time that we have been members, which has worked out well. It is important that we are protected with quality health insurance. We also have gotten a lot out of the Self Employed magazine. There are many useful articles that help us improve our business. Advice from, and stories on other NASE members are important because we know they are coming from other self employed, hard working people like ourselves.


5. I thought your website was very comprehensive. How does it help your business?
Our website has been very helpful for our business. It helps people find us and learn that there is a business in the area that is selling rustic style furnishings. It also tells them a little about our history and us personally. Potential customers can see a large sampling of what we sell and what we do, complete with pricing, dimensions, and all of the other details. This allows them to be educated before they even walk into the gallery. They can narrow down their interests and present any questions they may have. Of course, reaching more potential customers on the internet is key to our success. Tasha works on the website on a daily basis, adding products, updating information, and boosting our visibility.
　
6. What’s the most effective way you’ve found to market your business?
Nothing beats having loyal customers that want to share our story with their friends and family. People that come in and think of friends or relatives that would appreciate what we have and what we do.
From there I would say that it is utilizing our high traffic location by putting merchandise outside to show people driving by that we have a great inventory.
Next would be good use of the internet and our web site as marketing tools.


7. What’s your favorite part of being self-employed?
Being able to make decisions and try new ideas without having to answer to any one else. I like the freedom to be creative and work in my own style.


8. What’s the toughest challenge for your business right now?
Right now the biggest challenge is financial, as we slowly come out of the recession. We need to be very careful about what we spend and where we spend it. On the bright side, this has been a good exercise in fiscal management and prioritization. Like any small business there are many ongoing challenges, such as marketing, finding the right customers, and keeping up with the ever changing technologies of computers and the internet.


9. What’s your best work habit? What’s your worst?
My best work habit is being able to creatively solve problems and everyday questions.
My worst work habit is that I don’t always focus on one thing at a time, I tend to work on too many things at once which can cause some projects to stay on "the list" for longer than they should.


10. What’s the greatest reward you get from your work?
I would say there are two main things that are most rewarding. One is helping a customer to find just what they are looking for, for their home. To see a customer happy and excited about their purchase is very rewarding. On the creative side, it is very rewarding to create a unique piece of furniture from some basic wood materials. To design, create, and satisfy a client’s needs is what it is all about.


11. What’s the best business advice you can offer fellow NASE members?
Always be open to new ideas and working to improve your business. I have found running a business to be a process that is constantly changing and being adjusted. Be creative.
　
12. What do you see as the biggest advantage to being an NASE member?
Although we all have different businesses, it is helpful and comforting to be connected with other small business owners that face similar challenges, every day. We can all understand to some degree what it feels like to start and run a small business, and the ups and downs that come along with that.


13. What do you do to relax and get away from the office?
I like to be outdoors, walking in the woods, or being involved in other activities such as hiking, kayaking, skiing, and snow shoeing. I also like to play music and travel as much as possible.

14. Anything else you’d like for your fellow NASE Members to know about your business?
We believe in the products we sell and we love what we do. We don’t just sell the rustic/Adirondack style but we also live with it. We live in a small rustic log home in a rural part of New Hampshire, surrounded by forests, lakes, and streams.


15. Please give me all of your contact info, including physical business address, mailing address, phone numbers, Web site address, e-mail, etc.
1327 Main Street (Route 101)
Dublin, NH. 03444
PO Box 1024
Dublin, NH. 03444
603-563-7010
http://www.rusticfurnituregallery.com/
Mark@RusticFurnitureGallery.com

Antler Lighting and Furniture

Antler lighting is very beautiful and artistic. It can bring a wonderful natural character to a home or retreat. Some people enter our gallery and immediately are turned off by the antler items that we display. They have this picture of someone hunting and killing a Deer or Moose for the antlers used in the piece. This is NOT how it happens. I don't know of any companies or stores in the US that would stand for this.

The antlers that are used in lighting or other rustic furnishings are naturally shed antlers. Every year Moose, Elk, and Deer shed their antlers naturally. They are shed in the late winter and early spring, and then grow back throughout the summer. They are shed so that the new ones can grow in and the animals can use them to attract females, or fend off other males in mating season (the fall). Each year the antlers grow larger as the animal gets older.

Individuals go out and search for the antlers on the ground. They can then use them for projects or sell them to others who use them for their crafts. Some people find them while out hiking or recreating and others even have trained their dogs to locate the antlers.

So, the animals are not harmed at all during this process. It is very different than an actual head, complete body, or antlers that are mounted with the top of the head. In this case the animal has been hunted and killed and a taxidermist has made the display.

Look carefully at the antlers and if you have any concerns you can ask where the antlers in the lighting or furniture have come from. Antlers are also used in other ways that make great home accessories such as drawer pulls, candle holders, fireplace tools and more.

So, don't be automatically afraid or concern about antler lighting and furnishings. Give them a chance and take a good look. This type of rustic furnishing can be very beautiful and a nice way to show respect and appreciation for these great animals, while bringing in a natural, rustic feel to your cabin, lodge, or retreat.

http://www.rusticfurnituregallery.com/

Rustic and Adirondack Furniture for The Lakes Region

Wilderness Creations, LLC. has been serving the Lakes Region of New Hampshire for over seven years. We offer distinctive rustic and Adirondack style furnishings and home accessories. A huge selection of beautiful, hand crafted furnishings for your lake house or retreat are available in our gallery or online. We also offer interior decorating services and custom furniture design. Contact us for help on your next project in the Lakes Region of NH, because we know New Hampshire and we know rustic furniture.

603-563-7010

Dublin, NH.

http://www.rusticfurnituregallery.com/

New Items in Stock!

Wilderness Creations, LLC. has just received more new inventory! There is beautiful new Barn wood furniture, lamps, lights, tea lights, and more.
New chainsaw carvings starting at $42. These little guys are super cute, there is a biker bear, ski bear, fishing bear, welcome sign bear and more.
We also just added some hand carved bowls made in New Hampshire. These are just beautiful and are finished with a food safe finish.
On the way is a new line of pillows, rugs, and furniture made in Vermont.
Come by our Dublin New Hampshire location to view any of these items, or check us out online at www.RusticFurnitureGallery.com Items are being added often to our extensive website.
We are constantly looking for new and exciting items that will help make your home beautiful, comfortable and full of character. Please contact us with any questions or suggestions at
603-563-7010

Use Paypal at RusticFurnitureGallery.com

10/27/10 - Dublin, New Hampshire
Wilderness Creations, LLC. announces the PayPal option for purchasing at their website www.RusticFurnitureGallery.com Customers can now enjoy the safety and security of purchasing online using their PayPal account. Owner Mark Nicholson says that "this is something that our customers have been asking for and we are happy to provide another payment option at our website". RusticFurnitureGallery.com also accepts major credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.
Wilderness Creations, LLC. offers distinctive Rustic and Adirondack style furnishings and home accessories. The retail gallery is located at 1327 Main Street in Dublin, New Hampshire.
Call 603-563-7010 or email info@rusticfurnituregallery.com


The Beauty of Outdoors.....
the Comfort of Home

Genuine Barnwood Furniture

Furniture made from reclaimed lumber is a great choice for rugged, beautiful and long lasting furniture. The materials come from old barns, sheds, and other buildings that are being taken down. Instead of just burning the wood it is used to make high quality furnishings that are made here in the USA. Barn wood furniture fits into many decor styles, such as log homes, cottage, farmhouse, lodge, cabin, and more. The old wood is dense and strong, from a time when trees were old growth and structures were made to last. Many companies make nice furnishings that are made to look like old barn board, but they are new lumber that is distressed and stained to look old. There isn't anything wrong with that, it still can be good quality. But if you want genuine barn board furniture then that is what you should look for. Typically you can tell the difference because the patina and look of the wood will tell you if the boards were old, reclaimed wood. The barn wood furniture that we sell does not have a stain finish, it simply has a clear coat to protect it and make it easier to clean. If you look on the underside, or inside of a piece of furniture you may be able to see that it is old wood. Sometimes it is stained a color from the side of a barn. There will be real nail holes and distress from the decades of use and exposure.

We just had many new pieces arrive at our Dublin, NH gallery. Some has already been delivered, but we have an amazing sideboard that is 6' in length with 2 drawers and two cabinets. Also just in is a 5' sofa table (both shown above) and a 3' bench. A bench with a back and under seat storage is also here in the gallery. Come see the beauty and quality of these furnishings. We can order in hundreds of other barnwood options as well as custom pieces. Stop by to view the full catalog of barn board furnishings.

Call for more information 603-563-7010, or visit our website at http://www.rusticfurnituregallery.com/

We are located at 1327 Main Street, Route 101, in Dublin, New Hampshire.

Rustic Furniture...A sustainable Choice

Like any product, it is good to do your homework and see where and how a product was made. Sales people may make you feel like you are a bother, but that's they're problem, it's OK to ask questions. After all you are thinking about spending your hard earned money on something, you want to make sure it is a good investment.
They're are many rustic and Adirondack crafts people and companies out there and all will, of course, do things a bit differently. That is good because it gives the consumer many choices. The rustic furniture industry overall is very caring for the environment and for the quality of their products. Taking time and carefully crafting a durable product is the norm with the rustic style.
Typically, rustic furniture makers use materials that are readily available in their particular area, so the resources usually aren't being trucked all over the country. Twigs and saplings grow back very quickly after they are cut, so materials will be available at the same site in not too many years. Some rustic makers use dead standing trees, which is a perfect resource. The trees are dry and ready for building, and in much of the country these trees are fuel for wild fires which should be removed anyway. Some builders use trees and saplings that have been cut along roadsides or other areas being cleared. So, instead of being wasted they are reformed into a functional furniture item. Other rustic furniture makers may use wood they find on a walk or drift wood along the coast. Of course many are using a combination of these to get their raw materials. Sometimes recycled items and antiques are incorporated into furniture pieces as well.
Rustic and Adirondack styles like to leave materials as close to their natural form as possible, so there is much less energy being used for planing and other alterations of the wood. Plus it makes each piece unique in form.
For all of these reasons, rustic and Adirondack furniture is a perfect, sustainable choice. Great for you and your home and great for the environment!

Presentation at The Monadnock Rotary

This Morning I spoke at the Monadnock Rotary meeting, here in Dublin, NH. The group meets each week at the Dublin Community Church where they have breakfast and discuss the upcoming events of the chapter. Most weeks they have a guest speaker and I was asked by one of the members to speak to the group, about our business and rustic style furniture. The presentation was about half an hour long and I discussed my background and how I came to have a furniture business in the small town of Dublin. I gave my thoughts on the meaning of Rustic and Adirondack and what it really means, when it comes to furnishings. I talked about what we do and what we offer at Wilderness Creations and also about how we try to give back to our community.
The Rotary has 1.2 million members in over 33,000 clubs around the world. It was started more than 100 years ago and carries the motto "Service Above Self". Each local group works in their own community and on more global issues to help make the world a better place. I was honored to be this weeks speaker and appreciate the attentive members of the Monadnock Region Rotary. For more information on the international Rotary organization you can visit http://www.rotary.org or visit http://monadnockrotary.org/ to learn more about the Monadnock Rotary Club.


www.RusticFurnitureGallery.com

Clearance Sale!!!

Wilderness Creations is having an end of summer clearance sale! Our in store inventory is marked 15% to 30% off. Some of these discounts are on top of other mark downs, so there are some really great deals on all of the rustic and Adirondack furniture and home accessories in the gallery. This sale runs from today, 10/6 until Sunday 10/10/10. For more information call 603-563-7010 or visit our website at www.RusticFurnitureGallery.com

Open- tuesday-saturday 10-5 and sunday 10-2

Walking Sticks

Walking sticks can be very useful when walking around the home or hiking in tough terrain. Many hikers use two poles for balance and stability. More modern hiking poles are light weight aluminum and adjustable with easy to hold grips, much like ski poles. A more traditional hiking stick can be heavy and more cumbersome to carry on a long trek. Instead of bringing one of your favorite walking sticks into the back country you can find them as you go and as needed. Here in New England there is no shortage of fairly straight branches that are already dead and down on the ground. Simply break it to your preferred length and keep it as long as you feel necessary. Many times when hikers find nice ones, they will leave them by a trail head for others to use.
If you are walking from your home and not going out for days, then it is nice to carry your own stick. Perhaps you have a collection and grab different ones on different days. They can be made of many different woods, carved, painted or decorated with feathers or other treasures. Hang or lean them by the door so you don't forget to grab it on the way out.
Walking sticks can be useful for extra support and balance. If you are heading up or down hill you can use it for stability or to take a bit of the load off of a bad knee or ankle. They are useful when crossing streams on a log or rocks. They can also give you a bit more security if you run across a dog or other aggressive animal. I like to use them for knocking the spider webs out of my path. Certain times of year they are everywhere and it can get annoying fast to have them across your face, time after time. Other uses for walking sticks or hiking poles are for setting up a sleeping tarp or for emergencies, like immobilizing a wounded leg.
One recommendation is to make sure you have rubber tips on your poles or walking sticks. They can help the base stick securely on rocks, pavement, and so forth. Then they are less likely to slip out on you. If the walking stick doesn't have that you can buy them at hardware stores and slip them on yourself. Usually you can find a size that is close to the size of the end of the stick or pole.
Of course it all comes down to personal preference and how it feels to you. Some will never want to carry extra things, some will find a stick for when they need it, some will need the latest and lightest hiking poles while others don't want to enter the woods without their favorite stick. Give any of these approaches a try to see if it feels right to you, and get out in the woods and enjoy a nice hike.


www.RusticFurnitureGallery.com

In The Workshop

This is a rustic plant stand, pedestal table that I just completed. It has a burl base with a Pine top and twig accents around the edge. The base has an oil finish and the top has an exterior polywhey finish. It stands 43 1/4" tall and the top is roughly 12 by 12. This item is in stock and priced at $230. It is perfect for putting plants on or any kind of pottery, art, or other item that you may want to display. It is a unique, one of a kind piece of furniture from Wilderness Creations. Email Mark@RusticfurnitureGallery.com

Visit our website at: www.RusticFurnitureGallery.com

Yes, we have a "real" store.

We believe that we have put together a very nice website. This takes alot of time and financial resources but it just has to be done because that is where most people go to find out about products and services that they are looking for. Customers can search our products, get directions to our location, contact us and so forth. We also have what these days is called a brick and mortar store, an actual physical location. This is where we can visit with people face to face, and really get a feel for their interests and needs. Our visitors and clients love to come in and see what we've got. They take their time and touch the wood, sit in the chairs, and ask questions about the construction. Many people have never been into a store that is filled with beautiful Adirondack and rustic style furniture and accessory pieces. Others have only seen galleries like ours in Lake Placid or Aspen Colorado. They comment on the smell of the wood and the natural shapes that are formed into a functional piece of furniture. These are all things that can't be properly conveyed over the internet. It's a great tool, but you can't get it all through. You can't stimulate all of the senses. That is why we love to have customers and new visitors into the gallery, because we can see their smiles and feel their excitement. We can communicate face to face and hear their stories. They tell us about their new home or the retreat that they are planning to build. This type of interaction just can't be duplicated online. You can't catch a facial expression or appreciate a message through the tone of voice. A physical store location also attracts neighbors and friends and allows you to work with the people from your town or region. That is special.
Of course this type of interaction comes at a cost to us as well. We don't have flexible hours and there is alot of overhead for the space and utilities, but we understand and accept this, because I don't want to have a completely cold and faceless transaction every time. Some days it would be really nice to be home in my bathrobe answering calls, but I just don't think that is the best way to do business. I don't feel that you can give the customer all of the attention that they deserve. I guess I'll always be a bit "old fashion", but we'll stick with our brick and mortar gallery here in Dublin, NH. and continue to build and improve our website so that our customers can research, purchase, and gather information at their leisure. Please let us know how we can make our website or our store even better, we are always open to your ideas. Stop by for a visit if you are in the Monadnock area.

Mark
www.RusticFurnitureGallery.com

Barnwood Furniture

Making furniture out of old weathered wood or barn wood is a great way to bring in an old rustic look to your home. The old wood with all of it's distress markings and years of use is like bringing in an antique, but just the wood is old, in a new form and with a new purpose. You can think about how long ago it may have been cut and the way things were back then. So much took place in that time with different families growing up and moving on. If you tear down an old structure or find an old piece of wood with beauty and character, then consider using it in a "new" piece of furniture. Tackle the project yourself or have a local craftsman turn it into something lovely and functional.

You can test some sanding and finish options on a small piece of wood. Sometimes it is best to do very little sanding, other times you may like the look of the wood if you bring it down just a little farther. Sand enough to get the splintery wood out of the way. You can leave the wood as is or put a protective coat on top of the wood. I find that it can be a very nice look to do some finish coats. It protects the wood, creates a nice look and makes it easier to clean up and dust.

Some companies make furniture that is made to look like barn wood by distressing it themselves and putting on a finish that make it look old and weathered. This can still be a nice appearance and it allows the company to have lines of furniture that keep a consistent look. Other companies and individual crafts people will buy and collect truly old barn wood for their projects. Both can look very nice, but with the real barn wood you feel that their really is a story that comes with the materials.

Projects that may be quicker and easier with barn wood are side tables, coffee tables, shelves, and benches. If you have a good supply of wood then you can get into bigger projects like a dining table.

Barn wood and weathered wood have a great look and can fit into many styles of decor. It is recycling at it's best when you salvage some old wood from a burn pile and make it into a wonderful new piece of furniture. Next time you see this wood being tossed out or thrown into a pile, think about whether you could have it made into something, or maybe you have a wood worker friend that would love to have some old boards.

Good luck hunting for those old boards with tons of character and know that they can be transformed into something beautiful and functional for your home.

Mark

http://www.rusticfurnituregallery.com/

Call or email for more information on our line of barn wood furniture.

Bed and night stand pictured were made by Green Gables furniture. Wilderness Creations carries the full line of Green Gables barnwood furnishings. Located in Dublin, NH.

Free Shipping on Safe Wood Cleaner!

As a special introductory offer http://www.ecowoodfinish.com/ is offering free shipping and handling on any purchase of Vermont Natural Coatings environmentally safe, vegetable based wood cleaners. Simply enter coupon code: "cleaner" at check out. This offer is good anywhere in the lower 48 US states. This will save you money so you can give this great new cleaner a try at your home or business. Please view the previous blog for more information on these biodegradable wood cleaners with no harsh chemicals. ecowoodfinish.com accepts major credit cards and paypal.
If you live in the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire then you can stop by our store to pick up some wood cleaner. 1327 Main Street (route 101) Dublin, NH. 03444

New Product! Non-Toxic Wood Cleaner

Wilderness Creations carries the entire line of Vermont Natural Coatings Products, both in store and online. Vermont Natural Coatings has just launched their latest product, a non toxic wood cleaner. This vegetable based cleaner is safe for people and pets and is unscented and non-flammable. Perfect for all your household or commercial needs. It is biodegradable and removes dust, dirt, grime, food and stains. Vermont Natural Coatings Wood Cleaner can also be used on other hard floor surfaces such as tile, laminate and stone. Available in 32 oz ready to use spray bottle or in a one gallon concentrate which makes four gallons of ready to use. 32 ounce bottle costs $11.50. For more information or to order by phone, please call 603-563-7010.

SALE on Vermont Natural Coatings PolyWhey Finishes.

Go Rustic! Blog Special. Save 15% on all Vermont Natural Coatings products at http://www.ecowoodfinish.com/Vermont-Natural-Coatings-Wood-Finishes_c2.htm. Just enter coupon code "natural-coatings" at checkout to receive your discount. Vermont Natural Coatings produces environmentally safe wood finishes made from whey, which is left over from cheese making. These finishes are safe to use, have quick dry time, and easy clean up. No harsh fumes!

http://www.ecowoodfinish.com/ sells products for finishing wood that are safe and non toxic. Check out their selection of Milk Paints, Poly Whey, Tung Oil, Citrus Solvant, and more. Protect your families health and the environment with products that are responsibly made and safe to use. Purchase these products securely on line, or call 603-563-7010.

This is a limited time offer, so don't wait if you are a regular user of VT. Natural Coatings or if you would just like to give it a try. Available in sizes as small as pints. Great for builders, contractors, floor refinishing companies, home owners, and wood workers.

In The Workshop

I recently completed this entertainment center. It is made of authentic barn wood and has a compartment for the dvd, receiver, etc... components. The top and bottom boards are thick 2" and the sides are 1", with breadboard ends. I cut a 1" piece off of another piece of barn wood to cover the new cuts in the wood, so that it all appears old. The legs are 4 by 4 and raise it up 6" from the floor. It is a fairly simple appearance and design, but it looks nice and functions well. On top is a 32" flat screen TV. I lightly sanded the rustic barn wood with 220 grit and then finished it with a coat of Vermont Natural Coatings Satin Furniture Finish. This will make splinters less likely, make clean up easier and enhance the overall look.

Mark

Purchase Vermont Natural Coatings online at: http://www.rusticfurnituregallery.com/home.php?cat=200

Teak Home Furnishings

Reclaimed Teak furniture. Wilderness Creations offers a wonderful selection of teak furnishings that are sturdy, unique, and full of character.

More than You Think

Wilderness Creations offers over 1,800 square feet of indoor show space, an on site workshop and over four hundred items in stock! From the outside we may look like a small one room retail store, but the truth is that there is also a "greenhouse" space that has well over 1,200 square feet of inventory. Our customers are often surprised to learn just how much space and inventory we really have. Our covered porch adds another 280 square feet that is usually full of furnishings. Our gallery has a great selection of home furnishings but we can also order in or drop ship thousands of other items. We try to keep the gallery fresh and interesting by getting in new products on a regular basis. So, stop by our Dublin, NH location if you are in the area, and see for yourself what makes Wilderness Creations the best choice for Adirondack and rustic style furnishings. If you live outside of our area then check us out online at www.RusticFurnitureGallery.com

South Western Furniture

Wilderness Creations, LLC. offers south western style furnishings and home accessories. Log style furnishings, antler lighting and furniture, south western rugs and more! Add a touch of the West to your home with great furniture and home accessories. Visit www.rusticfurnituregallery.com or come by our gallery located on Route 101 in Dublin, New Hampshire. 603-563-7010

Rustic

I love the word rustic. Like any word it may be loved by some and hated by others, it may create positive images for some and negative for others. Some may hear about a rustic house or a rustic piece of furniture and they immediately picture something that is dirty and covered with cobwebs. But for me it creates not only a different image but also a different feeling. I hear the word rustic and I think of a physically beautiful place or item, a natural look and feeling, and perhaps just a simple appearance. Many times when you visit a location that is viewed as rustic it brings on a sense of relaxation. Nature is sometimes a little more "dirty" but don't we need to reconnect with that as much as possible? Isn't that what will help us to take better care of ourselves and our planet? I know many do feel that more separation from the outdoors and nature is the best way to live, but I disagree. Maybe it's OK to have a house that lets a little bit of air through, or a car that doesn't block out all outside noise and smell. I feel that we should be more connected to our surroundings and that it's good to slow your pace sometimes and see what's going on around you. When I think of the word rustic I think of all of these things, all of the positive connections with nature and the areas of our country and our planet that are just beautiful. I think of getting back, even just for a moment, to a time before technology and fast paced living.
If you haven't, give rustic a chance. Take a vacation to a cabin in the woods or an old lodge in the mountains and be conscious of how you feel while there. If you love it then maybe bringing that type of lifestyle into your everyday life would be a healthy thing. Create a place where you can relax, slow down and be aware of your surroundings and your connection with nature.

Rustic Cabin Railing

Here are some photos of a rustic cabin porch railing that I recently completed for a client in Vermont. The tall supporting posts are peeled Hemlock from the cabin owners land. The horizontal posts are Cedar and the inner rungs are made from peeled Maple saplings. Finally, the remaining twigs were cut from the same Hemlock tree that was used for one of the supports. The Maple pieces are tenoned in for extra strength and durability, and the Cedar is connected using long timber bolts. This rustic railing was constructed on site, in a remote location with no electricity. The natural rustic look adds to the overall beauty of this small log cabin. While on location I delivered 4 rustic slab benches to be used around the fire pit, which sits next to a lovely private swimming pond. In the past I have done other projects on this cabin, such as a cedar ladder, a loft railing, bunk beds, benches, tables and more. This cabin in Stowe Vermont is available for nightly rentals, all year round. Visit http://www.vrbo.com/136732 for more details. This cabin definitely falls into the Go Rustic category!

For more details on rustic log railings contact Mark at: Mark@RusticFurnitureGallery.com

WC Press Release

Wilderness Creations, LLC. Announces Partnership with 1% for the Planet
Dublin, New Hampshire- July 6th, 2010 – Wilderness Creations joined 1% for the Planet (1%), pledging a portion of its sales to support non-profit organizations focused on sustainability.
"Wilderness Creations is a great addition to the network. By signing on to 1%, it shows they’re really walking the walk in their sustainability efforts," says Terry Kellogg, 1% CEO. "They're using generosity as a tool with which to build their business and enabling valuable environmental work along the way. We're excited to welcome them to the 1% family."
Mark Nicholson, founder of Wilderness Creations stated: "We have always tried to help our community through our business, as well as care for the environment. Now we have joined with this wonderful network to pledge 1% of sales to non-profit organizations that work tirelessly to protect our planet for future generations. This has always been of great importance to me, through out my life, and it is a great feeling to be able to support these organizations"
Members of 1% contribute one percent of revenues directly to any of the approved non-profit environmental organizations in 1%’s network. Non-profits are chosen based on referrals, track record and environmental focus. Over 1,600 non-profits worldwide are included in the 1% program.
"We’ve been averaging at least one new business member a day, and have exceeded over 1,200 members in 38 countries, and a network that has funneled over $50 million of critically needed funds into the hands of environmental non-profit groups to date," comments Kellogg.
"We are thrilled by the support we have gained as it proves the environmental ethic is trickling upward to larger corporate entities. The shared belief that you can do well as a business by doing the right thing with respect to the environment is clearly apparent. There’s a paradigm shift happening here and it’s happening organically."
About 1% for the Planet
Started in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder and CEO of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies, 1% for the Planet is a growing global movement of over 1,200 member companies in 38 countries that donate 1% of their sales to environmental organizations worldwide. Each day, more than one new business joins the 1% for the Planet movement. As a network, the 1% community has become a global frontrunner in funding the work of environmental groups around the world. To learn more about 1% go to:
www.onepercentfortheplanet.org
About Wilderness Creations
Wilderness Creations, LLC. sells distinctive rustic and Adirondack style furnishings and accessories for the home. The company has a gallery in Dublin, New Hampshire as well as an online store that provides furniture for indoors, outdoors and all rooms of the home. They work nationwide with clients to provide beautiful furnishings and interior decorating services. Wilderness Creations was started over seven years ago by Mark Nicholson, when his love for the outdoors took a new path of creating rustic, natural form furniture. Now Mark, and wife Tasha, help hundreds of customers each year find unique and beautiful furnishings for their homes, cabins, cottages, and retreats.
To learn more visit: www.RusticFurnitureGallery.com

Or call 603-563-7010

Happy 4th!

Happy Fourth of July!
I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend. Here in New Hampshire it has been beautiful summer weather, hopefully where you are as well. Take care and enjoy some time with family and friends.

Mark

Check This Out!

This beautiful canoe paddle coat rack has just arrived to our Dublin gallery! This coat rack features three paddles, and a tray in the center where you can put gloves, hats, etc... The contrasting light and dark finishes add to the attractiveness of this piece. There are three decorative metal hooks, each with a large upper hook and smaller lower hook. This paddle coat rack is perfect for the lake house, cottage, cabin, or lodge, and is priced right at just $289. It provides a great reminder to get out on the water and enjoy the summer weather!

Come by our gallery to see for yourself, or order by phone at 603-563-7010.

Summer Time!

July is here and it's a great time to be outdoors, enjoying the yard, lake, porch and deck. Cedar furniture is the perfect choice for rugged, affordable outdoor furniture, and we've got another huge order on the way! Adirondack chairs and tables, log rockers, glider, tea set and log chairs are all headed our way. That's in addition to our current inventory. Choose your finish or let the pieces turn a silver gray as they weather. Look for this next load of cedar furniture within a week or two at our Dublin, NH. store. There are also many other Cedar furnishings that we can get in quickly, or drop ship around the country. To see more options or order online visit:

http://www.rusticfurnituregallery.com/home.php?cat=148

Hickory/Oak Rocking Chairs

More Hickory and Oak Amish Rocking chairs are on the way to Wilderness Creations! This very comfortable rocking chair is carefully crafted in Amish country, using a timeless design. Oak slats are steam bent to ensure a comfortable fit, while bark on Hickory saplings make a strong frame and perfect contrast to the blond colored oak. Our new supplier has allowed us to lower our prices on the Amish style rockers by over $120. We are now able to offer American made Amish rocking chairs for $262 in our Dublin, NH gallery. We can also drop ship these wonderful chairs anywhere in the USA. We've also got 3 styles of matching side tables as well as foot stools and other matching accessories. All of these new items should be in later this week and will go fast! Call 603-563-7010 for more information on Amish furniture, or visit our website at: http://www.rusticfurnituregallery.com/home.php?cat=36
Come to Wilderness Creations for high quality bent twig Amish rockers at a great price!

Blog special: Contact me at Mark@RusticFurnitureGallery.com or through this blog for an extra 10% off Amish rocking chairs (offer good until July 20th, 2010).

Vermont Natural Coatings Now Offering Tinted Exterior Finishes.

Vermont Natural Coatings introduces tinted exterior finishes! VNC is adding to it's selection of PolyWhey finishes with three new colors for exterior applications. Of course the clear finish is still available, but now you can also choose from Lakeside Cedar, Acorn Brown, or Autumn Red, if you would like a bit more color for your project. These finishes are very low VOC, with no toxic effects or harsh odors. Safe for people and pets, the exterior wood finish creates a tough barrier against moisture, mold, mildew, and UV rays. It's is the perfect choice for decks, fences, siding, railings, outdoor furniture, and any other exterior wood surface. This is a truly "green" product, made from renewable whey proteins, which are a byproduct of cheese making. The tints are zero VOC and are semi-transparent so that the wood grain can show through, while still adding beautiful color to your wooden surfaces. All exterior finishes are now available in quart sizes, as well as 1 gallon and 5 gallon. Easy application, fast drying, and simple cleanup with soap and water. Visit us at our Gallery to learn more or purchase Vermont Natural Coatings. Located on Route 101 in Dublin, New Hampshire. 603-563-7010 Or visit us online at:
http://www.rusticfurnituregallery.com/product.php?productid=811&cat=199&page=1

Rustic Bathroom Lighting

Quality lighting is often overlooked in the design and decorating of a bathroom, but it makes a huge difference in the overall look of the room. These photos show a vanity light and a ceiling light that share a common pine cone theme. This is a new bathroom in a 100 year old cottage, in Maine. The wood work, stick handles, and the lighting all help to make it fit in with the old rustic charm of the camp. Wilderness Creations has an extensive catalog of lighting to choose from. The lights pictured are made from steel and made here in the USA, by Steel Partners. We have been working with Steel Partners for many years, and the quality is exceptional! You certainly can buy cheap lighting, for any room, from one of the huge chain stores, but in the end that is exactly what it is going to look like, cheap lighting. It is important to keep this component in mind when renovating or building new. It will help tie all of the other hard work together. Wilderness Creations also offers Hickory Lighting, log lighting, antler lighting and more. To see a selection of our rustic lighting for your home, lodge, cabin, or cottage, visit our website at http://www.rusticfurnituregallery.com/home.php?cat=165 or email info@RusticFurnitureGallery.com
Light Rustic!

Cutting Wood for Rustic Projects

Here in New England it is the perfect time to cut saplings that you would like to peel the bark from. On many species of tree the bark separates easily from the wood, because there is so much water and sap flowing throughout the trees. Even if you are not sure of a project right now, it is good to stock pile some saplings for future projects. Perhaps you've been thinking of making a rustic chair, plant holder, or even a rustic garden trellis. This is the time of year if you would like to gt the wood smooth, with no bark. If the bark comes off clean then you may not even need or want to sand the item. Just yesterday I cut some small Maple trees to use in future projects and the bark came off quickly and easily. These were trees within a meadow that I needed to cut anyway. You may also have some trees that are growing into your yard and driveway and need to be cleared. Why not recycle that wood into a useful, beautiful rustic piece of furniture? Much of the time you can peel with your bare hands and finger nails, but you could also use a knife of some kind to get the strips started. Another easy project is some simple wood hooks that you can use around the cabin or cottage. Look for interesting spots where branches come from the trunk and check that it is at an angle that will work well. Peel it and you've got a nice natural hook for coats, towels, keys, or whatever. If you can flatten the back a bit with a sander or knife it will sit better against the wall. Pre-drill for screws or nails so that you don't split the wood. Let the wood dry so that there isn't any moisture or shrinking problems later on.
So, if you like the look of the bare wood for your next project then get on out and do some cutting. Peel and set aside to dry, then when you have the time you can get going on a fun rustic building project.
Feel free to contact me with questions or ideas. Have fun!

Magazine Coverage

Wilderness Creations received a nice, half page write up in the magazine Monadnock Living, for it's offerings of truly "green" wood finishes. In particular that we sell Vermont Natural Coatings in our Dublin, NH store. This was a special green building section of the summer issue, and VT Natural Coatings is a great product made from a renewable resource, with low VOC content. We are pleased and grateful that Monadnock Living Magazine pointed us out in this way. We are proud to offer these safe and durable finishes, along with our milk paints, natural oils, and other environmentally safe items. Stop by and visit our store to learn more, or order by phone (603-563-7010) or internet www.ecowoodfinish.com , http://www.rusticfurnituregallery.com/home.php?cat=198
Also, look for our new add in the Green Living journal.

Safe Wood Finish

Vermont Natural Coatings is the perfect choice for finishing our rustic Cedar furniture! Most of the Cedar furniture is shipped unfinished so that you can choose how you would like it. We recommend Vermont Natural Coatings for both indoor furniture and outdoor furniture. It is a clear PolyWhey finish that is safe and durable. It has very low voc content so there are no harsh fumes or chemicals. It dries quickly and is easy to clean up. Available in formulations for interior/furniture, exterior, and floors. Stop by our gallery in Dublin NH to pick up some of this professional finish, or shop online at http://www.rusticfurnituregallery.com/home.php?cat=198 or www.ecowoodfinish.com
Feel free to contact us with any questions on our safe wood finishes, or any of our other products.

Rustic Hickory Furniture

Amish Rocking chair and oval side table. Made from Hickory and Oak, these pieces are beautiful, durable, and comfortable! These and many other Amish style items have just arrived.

Rustic Hickory upholstered bench with pine cone fabric. This would make a great bench for an entry way, boot room, at the end of a bed, and many other places in the home. This bench is now available at the Wilderness Creations Gallery.

New Items At Wilderness Creations

Greetings!

Summer seems to be here, at least for the moment. Today it is about 90 degrees here in New Hampshire, even warmer than yesterday. The spring and summer also bring new inventory to our Dublin, NH gallery.

Just in we've got some wonderful Amish furniture. Rockers, tables, foot stools, rustic magazine rack, and a beautiful upholstered bench. We are offering Amish rocking chairs at a new lower price of $262. They are finished, assembled and ready to go! The Hickory bench with pinecone fabric is only $383. Please call, email or stop by our gallery for other pricing information. We also just received 2 Amish dining chairs. This is a nice matching set and the chairs are older (pre tested).

We have also just recently brought in more outdoor Cedar furniture, including a settee, children's chairs, a tea set, a glider, and more! Our complete line of Cedar furniture can be ordered online or at the store and usually ships the same week as ordered.

Come on by to see all of our new rustic inventory, we are located on Route 101 in Dublin New Hampshire. Call 603-563-7010 or visit us online at http://www.rusticfurnituregallery.com/

Enjoy yourselves and we hope to see you soon!

Amish Style Furniture

The Amish have long been known as great crafts people that take the time to hand build and carefully design furniture. The Amish rocker is a beautiful and functional piece of art. It is incredibly comfortable, even without any kind of cushion, and has a rustic and natural look. There are different woods that can be used on this design but one of the most common is a combination of Hickory and Oak. Hickory saplings are used with the bark left on, giving it a nice dark color. The twigs bend and create a strong support system for the rocker. It almost is hard to understand how it can be so rugged and strong because you are looking at all of these small branches that are bent and curved. For the seat and back, steam bent Oak slats are used. They mold to your body in a way that is very comfortable, even for long periods of time. The Amish rocking chairs are finished with a clear coat finish that gives it protection for years to come. The Amish Hickory rocker is a great addition to any room in your home. Come in and try one out, you'll love it!

Wilderness Creations has a new shipment of rockers, tables, and other Hickory furniture items on the way! Call us at 603-563-7010 for more information, or stop by to see our extensive inventory, including these brand new additions. www.RusticFurnitureGallery.com

Rustic Summer

The time is here for enjoying the outdoors! Get out to your back yard, porch, patio, water front, fire pit, or other special outdoor spot. We've got a great selection of rustic cedar furniture, at great prices! Cedar will last for decades with proper care, it is resistant to rotting as well as insects. And it is beautiful and comfortable! I am extending our Cedar furniture sale so that you can get this furniture at even lower prices. This sale will end without notice, but right now you can bring a great value to an incredible value, with an extra 25% off. This sale is for Go Rustic Blog readers only. Visit www.RusticFurnitureGallery.com and check out the selection of cedar rustic furniture. Simply enter the coupon code "cedar" at checkout. That's it, new cedar will be on the way! Please read the full descriptions before ordering. This furniture is unfinished and does require basic assembly. Get outside!

Rustic Furniture Service

Wilderness Creations will work to locate those hard to find rustic items that you are looking for. With our extensive connections and network of builders and vendors we will search out the pieces for you. We also work with amazing crafts people to have custom rustic furniture and accessories built. From large beds to small wall hangings, we will work with you to get just the right items for your home or retreat. For more information or to set up an appointment call 603-563-7010. Ask about our interior decorating services as well. Located in Dublin, NH.

Environmental Disaster

The huge oil spill in the Gulf waters is just so sad and frustrating. Our country (and the rest of the world) has to move on to better alternatives and reduce this risk in the future. Our water, air, land and quality of life are constantly at risk. It may not be an easy transition but it needs to be done, we should have been trying to get off oil decades ago. This current situation is another reminder, just like so many spills and problems before. At Wilderness Creations we constantly try to reduce our impact on the earth, by trying to conserve electricity and heat. We do our best to work with caring companies that make quality products in a responsible manner. This is an ongoing process and there is always room for improvement, but it is always on our minds. We plan to continue to do our part in making the world a better and healthier place. Hopefully this current spill can be stopped and the damage somehow minimized, and steps will be taken to make sure it does not happen again.

Rustic Mexico

Hello and sorry for my lack of postings recently. We just returned from a great trip to Mexico. Yes, it is possible to have a great trip to Mexico. Not every part of the country is horrible or dangerous, in fact we felt very safe in the town of San Miguel De Allende, which is located in the middle of the country at an elevation of 6500 ft. We also didn't get sick or hassled by policia.
The town has beautiful colonial architecture and incredible old cathedrals. There is a rustic component to the building and decorating in Mexico. There is incredible stone work and brick work, as well as creative concrete home built ins. Concrete sinks and counter tops with wonderful old style coloring. Much of the newer construction also uses old beams and timbers as supports and around doors and windows. This makes a new home feel as though it could be hundreds of years old. Many of the furniture pieces are rustic as well, made from old wood that has been weathered and beat up for decades. Mesquite is a common wood to be found as table tops and for other furnishings. This wood is very hard and is resistant to rot and insects. Another great item you will see is the use of old wood doors that have been found in the country side and reused in construction.
San Miguel Mexico is a wonderful place with friendly people and a colorful history. If you get a chance, I recommend a trip down. I think you would appreciate the experience overall, but also enjoy the rustic side of Mexico. Please let me know if you would like to see any of the photos from the trip, I've got some good ones that show some of the homes and these characteristics that I've been writing about.
www.RusticFurnitureGallery.com

Rustic Outdoor Furniture

Now is the time to order your new furniture for your porch, deck or patio. We've got a large selection of outdoor Cedar furniture, made from Eastern White Cedar. Beautiful and very resistant to rot and insects, Cedar makes a great and long lasting choice for your outdoor furniture needs. Choose from log styles or traditional Adirondack style. The Cedar pieces can be left to weather gray or be stained for further protection and color. Cedar is very durable but also very affordable, so the value can't be beat! Visit our website to view the Rustic Cedar options, or stop into our gallery to learn more. http://www.rusticfurnituregallery.com/home.php?cat=148
603-563-7010

In The Workshop

I've begun work on a new project in the workshop. I've been thinking about it all winter and it is now under way. It is in a fairly slow stage at the moment while I get the basic structure designed and built. It is a fairly large Adirondack style buffet/serving table. It will stand about 3' tall and be around 5 1/2' long. It will feature birch legs, white birch bark and twig accents, and an inlaid twig top. I'll keep you posted on the project and get some photos up when it starts coming together.

Rustic - Working with a Renewable Resource

Rustic and Adirondack furniture is typically made in a very responsible way. Obviously I can not speak for all builders or companies, but the industry tends to be environmentally responsible and caring for our natural resources. Like myself, many rustic furniture makers are outdoors people that love and appreciate nature. We are informed and want to see our natural resources protected from abuse. One of the best parts of the job is getting out into the woods and looking for materials for projects. It takes time to find a good piece and then to haul it out of the forest, but isn't the forest a great place to be? In most cases rustic crafts people use wood that is already down, or has been cleared or cut for some other reason than making furniture, thus giving it another "life" in a piece of art. Much of the rustic/Adirondack furniture you will find is made from smaller saplings, so even if it is cut from a live tree these saplings will quickly grow back. In fact they will probably grow back faster and with more shoots than before. I cut and gather my logs and sticks from my own land so I know exactly where it comes from and that it's removal will not have a negative impact on the forest. As I said, most rustic builders will share this caring for the environment and may have even been led to furniture making by first having a love for the outdoors.
Of course there is always room for improvement, whether it be with shipping and packing or the wood finishing materials that are used. It is hard to make a living and have no impact on the environment, but most rustic furniture makers are very conscious and will always strive to have a smaller "footprint".
Rustic style furnishings are not just a beautiful and useful choice but in most cases they are the choice that is also better for the planet. It is a win win, you get to bring in a part of nature to your home and the environment takes less of a hit, so that it can remain a beautiful and inspirational component of our lives.
For more information on the rustic and Adirondack styles of furniture, please visit www.RusticFurnitureGallery.com or call 603-563-7010
As always, feel free to email me at Mark@RusticFurnitureGallery.com


To learn more about eco friendly wood finishes please visit www.EcoWoodFinish.com

Wilderness Creations, LLC.

Rustic and Adironadack style furnishings for your home or business.
Visit www.RusticFurnitureGallery.com

Rustic Mirror

Lovely rustic mirror with twigs and reverse birch bark.

Flipping or reversing white birch bark produces a great rustic look. It appears as a nice orangy brown color which goes well with twigs, white birch and other rustic accents. Try it on one of your next rustic building projects and see what you think.

Spring is here!

It's a cold rainy day here in New Hampshire but we all know that it won't be long until the ground dries up and the sun feels hot again. We've seen the signs and soon the flowers will be coming up and everything will turn a beautiful shade of green. So now is the time to get ready, so that you can enjoy those warm evenings and make the most of your time off. This is the time to order furniture for your porch, deck, patio and yard. We offer a great line of sturdy Cedar furniture that will hold up in the weather for years to come. We also have options in Teak wood, made responsibly from recycled Teak items, such as buildings, fences and carts. Our furnishings can be picked up here at our store or drop shipped directly to your home or business. Mention this blog and receive 25% off, as a reward for planning early and ordering before the summer rush. This offer is good until April 10th, 2010. We're all looking forward to some great weather, and it's just around the corner! Call 603-563-7010 to order, or check out our website at http://www.rusticfurnituregallery.com/home.php?cat=148 and enter coupon code "cedar" at checkout.

Creativity

The rustic style allows alot of room for creativity. It can be considered an art form and there isn't really a wrong way to going rustic. Because it is free form, like nature itself, one can really let go and try new and sometimes bazaar things. I'm talking about furniture and accessories and built in items in homes and cabins. It can be overdone, in some peoples opinion, but if you like it than that is really what matters. I'm talking about crazy sticks and branches in your furniture and trimming out a door in bark and things of this nature. And the great thing is that alot of it you can do yourself and it won't cost much. For example, in building a vanity recently I thought of using some nice handles that I had for the cabinets. They would have matched well and looked great, but would they be unique and creative? I didn't think so, so I am creating some handles that are a combination of sticks from my yard and some left over 1/2" copper pipe. Two stick pieces with a small length of pipe in between. This will tie in wonderfully with the exposed copper pipes and the twig work accents. Sometimes it's my 3rd or 4th idea that I go with and that's OK. I also went for a walk and found a twig with a slight curve that I could use as the new handle for the medicine cabinet. I cut it so that there were v's and extra pieces so that it would stand out, even though it is thin and delicate looking. I attached it with small copper nails, again to tie it in with the surrounding components. So let yourself be creative! It is just one of the things that I love about the rustic style. The possibilities are endless and it's alot of fun to come up with little enhancements to your rustic home or getaway. Let me know if you have a project and would like some ideas because I love to think about these things. Go For It, Go Rustic!

In the Workshop- Vanity

The new vanity top has been installed and came out great! It has a wonderful, natural edge and quarter log back splash. A hand pounded look to the copper sink and exposed 1/2" copper piping make this a truly rustic vanity. Instead of fancy faucets there are shut off valves as the water controls. I simply spray painted the faucet handles to match the rustic bathroom project. The piping rises high up so that more copper is exposed and adds to the look. Rustic artist Jim Charanko did the plumbing on this project. But it is not done yet! The vanity base is being finished up with a laser inscribed scene on the doors as well as twig work that frames the raised pine doors. I will be sure to add a photo of the space when the project is complete.

For more information on rustic and Adirondack style vanities and cabinets, contact Wilderness Creations at 603-563-7010 or info@RusticFurnitureGallery.com

A better option for protecting wood

Vermont Natural Coatings being applied to rustic vanity top. This thick slab of White Pine received multiple coats of Polywhey, satin finish formulated for furniture. Vermont Natural Coatings is based in Hardwick Vermont and makes clear finishes for floors, furniture and exterior. They are safe, without toxic fumes and harsh chemicals. These durable coatings can be found at the Wilderness Creations store in Dublin, NH or at www.EcoWoodFinish.com