(RE)WARD: Reclaimed Wood is One-of-a-Kind
July 14, 2015 interior design / one-of-a-kind / reclaimed wood / unique
These days everyone is all about being unique. Whether you want to fit in or be different, the solution is to find something you love and embrace it. When it comes to interior design, a great way to create that one-of-a-kind look is through reclaimed timber.
Luckily, recycled wood comes in all shapes, sizes, textures and colors. With a variety of options, you’re able to find just the look that you absolutely love. But you may ask, what are some of the variations that you should be on the look out for?
Knots
Knots are usually the round darker parts of a piece of wood. They are a portion of a side branch that was, over time, consumed by the trunk of the tree as it grew. This is why the fiber direction within a knot can be drastically different from the rest of the grain. The trunk will grow around dead branches which is why sometimes the knots will fall out of the wood when sawn into boards. These variations in the grain can be quite beautiful and distinctive. When looking for a statement piece of wood for a mantel or countertop, knots may provide the perfect visual story you’re wanting.
Saw Marks
Vintage wood carries many visual markers of its past. Some of which are the saw marks. Decades ago, people cut down and shaped their wood by hand. Reclaimed wood often features this hand-hewn technique which creates textures in the wood that are uncommon today.
Another texture that many designers often desire is that of a circular saw. This type of saw was commonly used from the 18th century through the mid-19th century in saw mills. Now, people try to replicate this circular texture to create a rustic feel. However, nothing is quite like the real thing. With recovered lumber, we see authentic circle saw patterns that are truly rustic.
Stained Grain
Depending on where the salvaged wood was originally used, it may have been exposed to elements that stained the grain. An example of this that we currently have in our yard is cherry vat wood. We recovered Douglas Fir vat stock from the “Cherry City,” aka Salem, Oregon. For years, this wood contained the vibrant juices of Maraschino cherries. Over time, the wood accepted these natural dyes, transforming the grain to carry the red tint of the cherry. This unique look is one that can only be achieved through the particular encounter this wood experienced, one that can only be achieved through reclaimed timber.
Al
l reclaimed wood has a story. Sometimes, the story we see starts when the tree was still growing. Sometimes, we see its history in the processes it endured as it was shaped and fixed into a building or cherry vat. Sometimes, the most prominent part of its story is its life as that cherry vat where its environment left a mark on it. No matter what story the wood reveals, you can embrace it as re-purposed wood. By designing with salvaged wood, you’re ensured a look that is unique to your home and tells a story like no other. If you’re ready to get started give us a call!