Category: Reclaimed Barnwood Furniture

June 29, 2016June 29, 2016 | oldbarnstar

DIY Hacks for Updating Your Home

Giving your home a fresh look doesn’t have to involve costly renovations. Completely revamping the look and feel of your living space is possible with a few simple changes.

Read on as we explore some of these DIY tips and tricks for updating your home.

Use an Accent Wall to Make a Statement

Add a focal point to any room in your home by adding an accent wall. Bold colors are a natural choice, as they can accentuate the room without being overpowering. Your feature wall doesn’t just have to be a different color; brick, wallpaper and reclaimed wood each add a unique feel depending on your taste. Tie everything together by hanging your favorite photos on the wall, immediately capturing your visitors’ attention.

Switch Up Your Style With New Chairs

Breathing new life into your dining room is as easy as swapping out your seating. Reclaimed wood chairs come in a variety of styles and can be customized to fit your specific needs. Consider mixing and matching chairs for an even more unique setup. You can choose contrasting styles and have them stained the same, creating a uniform look. If mixing up the full set doesn’t suit you, consider using different accent chairs at each end of the table, this provides an eye-catching focal point for the room.

Use Plants to Add Color

Incorporating houseplants into your home décor not only adds much needed color to rooms, but it can actually enhance your quality of life. Plants rid the air of toxins, increase oxygen levels and can even help decrease colds. There are a variety of plants that are easy to care for and will add a splash of color to your home. It’s easy to get creative with your presentation, plant herbs in mason jars and mount them in your kitchen or use large plants to fill empty spaces.

We hope these tips will be helpful as you update the look and feel of your home. Ready to get started? Contact us to learn how we can craft custom made reclaimed wood furniture specially designed to fit your needs.

What DIY projects are you interested in? Tell us on Facebook, or on Twitter!

May 31, 2016 | oldbarnstar

How to Incorporate Wine Barrels into Your Home Décor

Wine barrels are extremely versatile and can be used for a variety of home decorating projects. If youthink outside the box and get creative you can use wine barrels to add rustic charm to your home.

Here at Old Barn Star we love using wine barrels in our custom made barnwood furniture, so we wanted to share some tips for how you can incorporate reclaimed wine barrels into your home décor.

Bring Wine Country to Any Room

Bring a small piece of Napa Valley home with you by utilizing barrels in your dinning room table. When paired with a barnwood tabletop wine barrels act as a fun and functional table base. These tables are the perfect addition to homes with a laid back, rustic aesthetic. Many businesses enjoy using wine barrels as the base to their conference room tables; this provides them with a unique focal point to their office.

Endless Possibilities

Reclaimed wine barrels come in a variety of sizes, therefore they can serve nearly any function you can dream of. The best part is that many wine barrel décor ideas don’t require a makeover or extensive overhaul; the barrel itself is perfect as is.

Wine barrels are a natural choice for end tables and nightstands, if you can locate one that’s the perfect height. Pair the barrel with a lamp and plant for a simple, understated look.

Many restaurants and wineries are incorporating wine barrel bistro tables into their tasting rooms. You can easily recreate this look at home with a reclaimed wine barrel by adding a simple glass tabletop. Complete the look by mixing and matching barnwood chairs or stools and you have the perfect setting for an intimate meal or drinks.

Whether you’re looking to relive a trip to the wine country or just want to add a creative focal point to your home, reclaimed wine barrels are the perfect design choice.

Ready to give some old wine barrels a new home? We often have barrels in stock so contact us to get started!

April 26, 2016April 26, 2016 | oldbarnstar

3 Ways to Bring the Family Back to the Dinner Table

In the age of smartphones and Netflix it’s becoming increasingly difficult to get the entire family gathered around the table for dinner. How do you compete with all of life’s distractions?

Here are our three tips to help make dinnertime special for your family so you can gather back around the dinner table again.

Dinner at a barnwood table

Celebrate the Little Things

Celebration dinners don’t have to be reserved for the big things in life like birthday or graduations. There’s plenty to celebrate in our daily lives as well! Celebrate the every day milestones in your family’s life. From learning to ride a bike, to bringing home a stellar report card, there’s always something to celebrate with a special meal.

Spice Up the Menu

Get the members of your family involved when planning your weekly menu by letting each person pick one meal a week. This ensures you’ll never have a boring meal and everyone will be more excited to come to the table.

Change the Atmosphere

Changing up the look and feel of your dining room can go a long way in shifting the mood in your household. Playing music and lighting candles can add some nice ambiance to a familiar room while redecorating makes the room feel new again! Many of our customers love the rustic warmth that a barnwood table brings to their dining room.

Even when life gets hectic it’s important to stop and take time to enjoy time with your family. We hope these tips will help make dinnertime a special occasion in your household again.

Looking to add some rustic flair to your dining room? Contact us to begin designing your one-of-a-kind barnwood furniture.

April 4, 2016 | oldbarnstar

Furniture Spring Cleaning: How to Freshen Up Your Home

The snow is melting, flowers are blooming and spring is in the air!

The arrival of spring means it’s time to clear out the house and start spring cleaning. Naturally, getting the clutter out of your life and showing your barnwood furniture some love is the perfect way to celebrate the season of renewal.

Cleaning Reclaimed Wood Furniture

Properly caring for your reclaimed wood furniture is crucial for long-term preservation. Barnwood kitchen table

Use a damp cloth and take great care to thoroughly dry the piece after wiping it down. Any excess water will seep into the natural cracks of the wood, damaging the piece and its finish.
Avoid silicone-based products and cleaning products with an ammonia base, as the chemicals in these cleaners can irritate the barnwood. Much of the barnwood used in our furniture is over 100 years more and proper care will keep it looking good for 100s more!

Now that your barnwood pieces are in tip-top shape it’s time to clean the rest of the house!

Kitchen

Sanitize Your Sink: Believe it or not your kitchen sink is home to more bacteria than a toilet seat. Combat this by disinfecting regularly, begin with soap and water, and then spray vinegar followed by mist of hydrogen peroxide. Take care not to mix the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.

Goodbye Paper Towels: Eliminate waste by using microfiber cloths around the kitchen. They tackle messes and sanitize floors, tile and more. When you’re finished cleaning simply toss them into the washing machine!

Living Room

Keep Your Couch Fresh: Sofas and couches get a considerable amount of traffic in any home, leaving them prone to stains and dirt. When it’s time to show your upholstery some love there’s several household products you can use:

Mild laundry detergent and warm water: Mix well and create suds, do not saturate the fabric. Allow the furniture to dry naturally.
White Vinegar: A solid choice for tackling surface stains; make sure to follow up by cleaning with a soapy solution. Open windows and use a fan to help reduce the lingering smell of vinegar.
Baby Wipes: The best choice for spot cleaning stains. Since they’re gentle there’s no fear that they’ll damage your furniture.

Bathroom

The Power of Citric Acid: You don’t always need harsh chemicals to tackle your toilet bowl, simply pour a teaspoon of Tang Drink Mix into the bowl and let the citric acid work its magic. This is ideal for households with furry friends, the drink mix is nontoxic ensuring no harm should it be ingested.

Clean Your Shower Curtain: Shower curtains and liners are a hotbed for mold and mildew, but all hope isn’t lost! Wash them with a load of towels, which will scrub them clean. Simply hang the curtain and liner back up to dry and you’re all set.

We hope these tips will help you tackle your spring cleaning. Looking to introduce reclaimed wood furniture into your home this spring? Contact us to begin designing your one-of-a-kind piece.

What’s your go-to cleaning tip? Tell us on Twitter @OldBarnStar!

March 1, 2016 | oldbarnstar

The Perfect Fit: Reclaimed Wood Table Buying Guide

When it comes to reclaimed wood tables there are two questions we get asked more often than not:

How many chairs will fit at my table?
What size table is best for my living space?

Read on as we share an informative buying guide that will help you choose the perfect table for your specific needs.

A Seat at the Table

When planning the design of your reclaimed wood table it’s important to consider its use. Will this be a dining room table intended for large family gatherings, or will it be a cozy table for two?

A good rule of thumb is to plan on dedicating a minimum of 24 inches per place setting. For larger rooms you can plan for 30 inches. Rectangular tables will require an additional 12 inches at each end to allow for those seated at the head.

Ensure everyone has a seat at the table with these guidelines:

Round Tables

40-inch diameter – seats 4
56-inch diameter – seats 8

Square Tables

38-inch square – seats 4

Rectangular Tables

60 x 36 inches – seats 6
72 x 36 inches – seats 6 – 8
84 x 36 inches – seats 6 – 8
96 x 48 inches – seats 8 – 10
132 x 48 inches – seats 12

Finding the Perfect Fit

There are two important things to consider when determining the size of your custom table: room size and seating accommodations. First evaluate the size of your room; this will help you determine the largest table that can comfortably fit. If you plan on hosting large parties you will likely want to go with the largest size, otherwise you can size down as needed.

Comfort is key, so in order for each person to have enough room to push their chair back and rise from the table it’s best to provide a minimum of 36 inches between the table and the wall. When possible, plan to give 42 – 48 inches of space between the table and wall.

For an even roomier experience consider a table with a pedestal base, which ensures table legs don’t get in the way of your chairs.

We hope this buying guide will help you design the reclaimed barnwood table of your dreams. Make sure to contact us or visit our shop on Etsy to get started!

February 15, 2016 | oldbarnstar

Reclaimed Furniture: A Home Décor Staple for Every Season

Whether you’re hosting a summer BBQ or curled up by the fire during the winter, there’s always that perfect piece of furniture that makes a house a home no matter what the season’s activities.

We went back through our archives and collected a few of our favorite seasonal themed blogs to showcase how our reclaimed barnwood furniture shines all year round. From setting the table for Thanksgiving dinner to giving your home a fresh look for spring, these tips and tricks will help you find the custom barnwood furniture for your home.

Winter

The year begins with a chill in the air and snow on the ground, the perfect setting for a winterwonderland! There’s no better way to set the scene than to add rustic cedar log furniture to your home. You’ll truly feel like you’re living in a comfy and cozy ski lodge.

We shared three ways you can incorporate white cedar log furniture into your home, from bunk beds in your guest room to coffee tables in your den. Click here to read the full blog.

Spring

As the snow melts and the flowers bloom, spring brings with it a feeling of renewal. This renewal is often takes shape as “spring cleaning”, when we rid our homes of unwanted items and freshen up our living space. The absolute best way to breathe life into your home is through pops of color and furniture that warms the space.

Add a touch of spring the next time you redecorate your home with these tips.

Summer

custom barnwood table School’s out and the temps are rising, that can only mean one thing…summer! The season is meant to be spent outside, enjoying some fun in the sun. From BBQs to pool parties, you’ll want your outdoor space to be prepped and ready for all your hosting duties.

Finish off your deck or patio with custom barnwood furniture like tables and benches. For more summertime tips, read the full blog here.

Fall

autumn centerpieces As the excitement of summer fades into the distance, fall makes itself known with the crunch of crispleaves under your feet. It’s also a popular time for family gatherings, as friends and family gather around the table to celebrate Thanksgiving.

We gathered some of our favorite autumn centerpieces, perfect for finishing off your barnwood table on the big day. Click here to explore our décor suggestions.

Winter, spring, summer or fall, reclaimed wood furniture never goes out of style. If these tips have you feeling inspired, contact us to start designing your own unique custom barnwood furniture.