CRAFTSMANSHIP
HANDMADE CRAFTSMANSHIP
All of our wood furnishings are handmade in our workshop in Phoenix, Arizona. Our craftsmanship is based on the techniques of how fine furniture makers have been building wood furniture for hundreds of years. With just the use of a table saw and a few small powered hand tools, we are able to create original, distinct pieces that will stand the test of time. Each furniture piece is made to order and customized for you. Please know, we are small shop and the handmade nature of our craft takes time. We take the necessary means to ensure that all of our furnishings meet the expectations of our clients. We will not compromise on quality by speeding up the time to produce our furnishings.
OUR RECLAIMED HISTORIC BARN WOOD FURNITURE
We are most recognized for our reclaimed barn wood furniture. We use weathered lumber salvaged from historic barns and buildings from across the United States. We work with several suppliers to find the best reclaimed wood for our furniture and we hand select and inspect each board to ensure its quality and durability. The specific wood we select is becoming rare as old barns and structures slowly disappear across the United States. The majority of the reclaimed barn wood used is from trees farmers would find on their land in construction of their barns and buildings. As a result of great craftsmanship and the quality of the lumber, numerous historic old barns across the United States remain standing today. Due to its age, wear and exposure to the elements, reclaimed barn wood is the perfect wood to use for furniture to ensure its continued longevity. The old wood tells stories of times past with natural aging, knots and nail holes to make an authentic art piece of history, while being environmentally friendly at the same time.
Because we don’t use heavy equipment to build our furniture, we are able to preserve the natural characteristics of the reclaimed old wood which make our furnishings very unique. We hand sand each board with a small palm sander to preserve the character of the wood while also ensuring it is smooth to the touch without any rough surfaces or splinters. Each of our reclaimed wood furniture pieces are unique and our customers enjoy the originality of something made just for them. We sometimes get requests for table orders using reclaimed wood to have limited or no large knot holes and we can do our best to accommodate those customers. We add an additional historic touch to our table tops by using reclaimed, antique, iron square-head nails on each corner.
OUR FINISHES
We use natural wax finishes on all of our furniture. It is a blend of beeswax and carnauba wax (made from the leaves of the Carnauba palm tree) and it has been used by fine furniture craftsman for hundreds of years for its superior finish. This wax beautifully complements our reclaimed wood furniture which results in a historic, dimensional finish. Other wood stains like lacquer and polyurethanes sit flat on the wood’s surface and hide the wood's character. A wax finish along with our application process brings out the beautiful, natural patina in wood highlighting the uniqueness of the wood’s tone and grain texture – especially on reclaimed lumber. Unlike oil or water-based finishes that need to be fully stripped per the occasional water ring, scuff mark or scratch – wax finishes are easily maintained like polishing shoes. Some of our clients enjoy the look of the natural wear of their table while others want to keep the original sheen. We will gladly provide care instructions upon purchase of our furnishings.
GOT MILK PAINT!
Milk paint has been used for centuries and has been made using various natural ingredients. In America, milk paint is most distinguished with colonial times when people could easily mix colored pigment with the milk and lime they had from their farm. The colors of this paint are easily recognized in furniture of colonial and Shaker furniture makers and used on the classic American red barn. We use The Old Fashioned Milk Paint Co.’s paint on our furniture which is a green paint and also nontoxic. Sweet Pickins offers additional colors under the same milk paint brand but with their own label. Milk paint gives our furnishings an old vintage look especially slightly distressed. We frequently complete the look by applying one of our wax finishes which helps to not only protect the paint but truly enhances the color and texture of our furnishings. Paint colors will be brightened with a clear wax and can change considerably when using a wax stain
SAMPLES
We are happy to provide wood finish and paint samples upon the purchase of one of our tables or large furniture pieces. We'll work with you to select the finishes of your choice. Whether you want a really rustic look with a lot of character or more of a smooth finish for a more modern look - or something in between, we'll make sure you are happy with your finish choices prior to completing your piece.