Tag: 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.

January 26, 2016 | oldbarnstar

3 Reasons to Incorporate Reclaimed Barnwood Chairs into Your Home

Seating is one of the most important aspects of your house – it what makes others feel welcomed and comfortable in your home.

Here at Old Barn Star we handcraft stylish chairs from reclaimed barnwood and customize them to fit your needs. With a variety of styles ranging from rustic to modern, our furniture will fit the aesthetic of any home.

Read on to discover why reclaimed wood chairs would be the perfect addition to your home.

Reclaimed barnwood chairs

Rustic Flair: Reclaimed oak chairs and stools can completely transform the look and feel of your kitchen. Mixing and matching paint colors helps brighten the room and provide a focal point for your guests.

A Touch of History: When crafting our barnwood furniture we use wood that’s over 100 years old, absolutely NO new wood is used. This gives your custom reclaimed wood chairs an interesting and unique history. Old nail holds, cracks and natural imperfections may remain, telling the story of materials that stood the test of time, literally!

Truly One-of-a-Kind: We build our chairs to fit your unique requests. You can customize your furniture however you see fit, allowing you to obtain reclaimed wood pieces that can’t be found anywhere else. Let your personality shine through and we’ll craft a piece that is distinctly you.

Feeling inspired? Contact us today to start designing your custom reclaimed wood chairs.

Have you incorporated reclaimed wood furniture into your home? Send us a photo on Twitter @oldbarnstar!

December 30, 2015 | oldbarnstar

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

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

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

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!

September 8, 2015 | oldbarnstar

Back-to-School 101: How to Create an Educational Atmosphere at Home

As that yellow school bus rolls past the house, it’s a sign that summer is officially over. After the fun-filled days of “not-a-care-in-the-world,” moving back into the routines of the school year isn’t always easy.

Preparing your children for success starts by creating an inspirational atmosphere so they are encouraged to study, learn, and imagine. From stocking up on school supplies to designating a work area, planning ahead makes sure back-to-school transitions a lot easier for both you and your children.

Here are 4 ways to create a school ready atmosphere with some key rustic furniture pieces:

Homework Station: A barnwood desk is the perfect addition to your home to create a stylish and rustic “homework central” for the entire family. Make sure you fill the desk drawers with lots of school supplies; such as pens, pencils, markers, scissors, etc., so that the area becomes a “go-to” spot for homework and projects.

Book Cubbie: Create your very own at home library by adding a bookcase to your family room or kitchen. Visible shelves keep all of your reading materials on display, maybe as a friendly reminder to your students in the house who are working through their reading lists. You can even designate each shelf to each family member so they can better commit to their reading goals for the year!

A bookcase can also serve a dual purpose for the family by holding important files within covered cabinets. Add two barnwood bookcases to one room for wall-to-wall of good reads.

Reading Nook: Think back to your school days, do you remember the designated reading chair? Consider incorporating one into your home. This reading chair will signify quiet time for your children to freely read a book of his or her choice, or maybe a relaxation spot for when your child is tucked away in bed.

Family Dinner Spot: It’s important for parents to promote family time, whether it’s game night or family dinner. Taking time out of your day to reflect on your children’s school day is very beneficial for positive reinforcement. By having a central homework station at a desk with books stored within your bookcase, the dining table can be just that – for dining.

Are you ready for back-to-school season? Tell us how you are making your home school-approved!

Tag: barnwood furniture

Furniture Spring Cleaning: How to Freshen Up Your Home