Reclaimed Barnwood from the Pacific Northwest

Like a weathered old man leaning on a cane, ancient barns seem to whisper sit down, I’ve got stories to tell if you’ve got time to listen.

I’ve admired the tasteful use of reclaimed barnwood from the Pacific Northwest in stunning custom homes built by Gary Norman. But I can be sensitive and skeptical. Even as I looked forward to meeting Gary, I wondered if he was actually the villainous type … you know, the Hollywood character who wouldn’t blink at mowing down a historic monument or threatening an endangered species in the name of progress.
“…Like the scary tractor in Fern Gully," Gary joked and I knew he understood and shared my sensitivity. Gary was recently asked to take down a very large barn out of Reedsport, Oregon and simply refused. “The building was very sound, set on the site pristinely and just needed a little love to last another 100 years plus. It is not appropriate to dismantle a perfectly sound structure.”
Contrarily, he’s excited about the wonderful 1x12 siding and 3x12 flooring recently reclaimed from a barn in Tidewater, Oregon. Built in 1912, the structure was used as a theater house in the 30’s and 40’s. “We will make the 3x12’s into outrageous plank flooring,” says Gary.

To be considered by Barnwood Inc., a division of Gary Norman Custom Homes, a barn must have a rich history, an ample supply of timbers of useful size and character, and accessibility. Instead of being burned and destroyed, this lustrous wood is given new life in the form of fine furniture, cabinetry, siding, flooring, exterior door systems and interior doors and trim.

It takes a heap of craftsmanship but only a scant amount of a water-based finish to re-purpose this treasure. Natural weathering has made its durability integral. You can watch a video of the process on the Barnwood Inc. site.
It’s what Gary Norman calls a “feel good business. Nothing can replicate the character of hundred-year-old wood that’s been out in the elements.”
To contact Gary:
Phone: (541) 312-1187
Email: gary@barnwoodincorporated.com

        

Bath Ideas: Inspired By Nature

Did you know that male deer shed their antlers every year after breeding season and actually regrow a larger set each following year? Buck antlers are one of the fastest growing tissues known to man, growing an average of 1 to 2 inches per week!

Designer Beth Slifer has incorporated antlers shed in the Colorado Mountains into this bath ensemble she created for Kohler and named "Fire and Ice". Warm textures such as mesquite wood tiles and reclaimed oak flooring, paired with watery glass lavatories and Ann Sacks "Inca" recycled metal tiles, reflect the subtle contrasts found in nature. Serene and spa-like, the space showcases sustainable and resource-sensitive materials.

The take-away for those of us who can't afford/don't require a $2600 lavatory is the harmonious balance of organic materials which naturally yields a restful, retreat-like atmosphere and a lovely place to unwind. Ahh.

Watch Designer's Video Here