Tag: barnwood

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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!

KitchenCleaning your bathroom

  • 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:
  1. Mild laundry detergent and warm water: Mix well and create suds, do not saturate the fabric. Allow the furniture to dry naturally.
  2. 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.
  3. Baby Wipes: The best choice for spot cleaning stains. Since they’re gentle there’s no fear that they’ll damage your furniture.

BathroomReclaimed wood 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!

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Barnwood Trends for Your Home in 2016

Many see the New Year as a clean slate; making resolutions to better themselves throughout the year. Here at Old Barn Star our only resolution is to continue bringing our customers the highest quality handmade reclaimed wood furniture. You can start the year off right by incorporating these barnwood trends into your home.

Go Beyond Frames With Unique Artwork

Barnwood Signs 

 No matter your style or personal taste, there’s a way to work barnwood signs into your home. Painted wood signs are perfect for those who enjoy the classic look of vintage hand painted storefronts. You can easily adorn your walls with your favorite quote or image. Those who desire a more rustic aesthetic will prefer wood burned images and phrases. To create truly one-of-a-kind designs, assorted pieces of barnwood can be assembled together.

Barnwood sign

 

Add a New Focal Point to Any Room

Barnwood Accent Wall

Adding a reclaimed barnwood accent wall to your bedroom, living room or bathroom is a great way to add texture to your home. The floor to ceiling barnwood creates an instant focal point, immediately drawing the eye of your guests. Utilizing a variety of paint stains and finishes can add color and contrast, while old weathered planks provide a rustic feel. Accent walls also serve as the perfect place to display artwork or install unique lighting fixtures.

 

Put Your Green Thumb to Good Use

Barnwood Vertical Garden

 

For those who don’t mind getting their hands dirty vertical gardens displayed in reclaimed wood frames can bring a touch of charm to any room. This living wall art works best with succulents, allowing you incorporate splashes of color to your home. Succulents are easy to care for and typically only need to be watered once a week, making this a fairly easy to maintain installation. Vertical gardens can also be installed outdoors, the perfect decoration for the summer months and hosting gatherings.

We hope these ideas inspire you to give your home a new look this year. Interested in incorporating barnwood furniture in your home? Feel free to contact us to begin designing your custom pieces.

What barnwood design trends are you excited about this year? Tell us here in the comments, on Facebook, or on Twitter!

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6 Unexpected Ways to Incorporate Barnwood into Your Wedding

Wedding season is in full swing!

We love working with brides and grooms on the fun finishing touches to their wedding’s décor. We also know that planning a wedding can be very stressful and it can be difficult to figure out how to add those special, personalized details to your big day. If you’re looking for a rustic wedding, a pop of barnwood will add the perfect touch that you’re looking for.

Here are six ways to incorporate barnwood décor into your special day.

1. Barnwood Wedding Signs: A rustic, hand-painted wedding sign is a super-simple decoration, perfect for outdoor weddings. From song lyrics to directional signs, there are endless possibilities.rustic wedding ideas

2. Wine Barrel Cake Stand: A unique stand is the perfect way to display your wedding cake. This vintage wine barrel adds a touch of personality, while still fitting into your rustic theme. It also allows the cake to be the true centerpiece instead of getting lost within a large dessert table.rustic wedding ideas

3. Guestbook Bench: Here’s a unique spin on the traditional wedding guestbook. Have your guests sign a barnwood bench, instead. After the wedding is over, you can add the bench to your home and reminisce about your special day.rustic wedding ideas

4. Table Numbers: Table numbers are important decorations on their own, as they often serve as the centerpiece to every table. Get creative and make arrangements that feature rustic barnwood flair.rustic wedding ideas

5. Wooden Escort Cards: Want something to match your table number theme? Use a round piece of barnwood as an escort card. They also serve a duel purpose of a drink coaster, which can ultimately be your wedding favor.rustic wedding ideas

6. Birch Wood Style Wedding Cake: The look of birch wood is very popular among rustic weddings. Consider incorporating this trend into your wedding cake. You have the opportunity to show off lots of details like the “carved” heart with the bride and groom’s initials. (Disclaimer: There is NO actual barnwood in the cake of course!)rustic wedding ideas

How will you incorporate barnwood in your wedding day décor? Let us know in the comments below, or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter!