Southwest Woods to Know

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A good wood craftsman knows the most consistent thing about wood, is that it’s never consistent. Each tree has an origin story and each grain is never the same. However, the more familiar you become with wood, the easier it is to remember all its complexities. Here on the west coast, there are many native trees that have some of the most beautiful wood to familiarize yourself with. Alligator Juniper, California Buckeye & Mesquite trees are all native to the south west region of the United States.

Alligator Juniper Alligator Juniper

Many wood enthusiasts consider Alligator Juniper a rare find. This 30-50 ft tall tree is native to Mexico, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Named for its distinctive grooves that resemble alligator skin – rough and uniquely patterned. Alligator Juniper is the largest southwestern Juniper and has berry-like cones that have been used in food and teas. In addition, Alligator Juniper is wonderful firewood because it has a cedar like aroma that pleasantly fills the room and is even available as an incense or oil fragrance. Most importantly, you may find Alligator Juniper firewood, you may not easily find charming furniture such as the root base table we have available in our showroom.

 

 

Buckeye Burl Tabletop & Base California Buckeye

California Buckeye Burl is…you guessed it – native to California, found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Buckeye trees have multiple trunks and are sculptures that add to the landscape design. The splendor of the California Buckeye is in its burl. A burl is a tree growth typically found on the trunk, when cut it reveals kaleidoscope swirls of gold and black. It’s grandeur is often awed over and used to create unusually designed guitars, rings, sculptures and tables. In our showroom, we have a Buckeye Burl tabletop with turquoise inlay and a natural edge complimented by a base. The tabletop and base are both made from the tree trunk.

 

 

Mesquite Live-Edge Sofa Table

Mesquite wood, you may know as simply smoking wood. Native to the desert southwest and Mexico, Mesquite trees range in size from 10 to 60 feet depending on the species. The red orange sap is used for medicinal healing and mesquite beans are used for coffee, boiled and roasted for meals. Mesquite wood is red to chocolate brown in color and with the right finish can resemble the elegant color of mahogany. Mesquite trees are multi-purpose, the wood can make furniture such as a live-edge mantel, table, shelf, or counter top. A mesquite piece of furniture is a high-end treasure with aesthetic additions like coral inlay or pebble inlay.

There are so many wood species, however these 3 are simply some of our western favorites! These trees memories and your own may have crossed paths during your California and Arizona travels. With this in mind, when looking for the right type of wood to add to your home consider these admired designer choices.

Additional Sources: Fire Effects Information System, DesertUSA

Be Bold with Custom Barn Doors

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A door in your home probably started off-white, then you painted it a bright color to match the décor, and now you wince a little because that bright color isn’t as appealing as you thought. Everybody is familiar with the pain of disappointing home furnishings. Enter a custom sliding barn door to save the day! A custom door as one-of-a-kind as you are, can be a showstopper in your home. Use a sliding barn door as a divider between the living and dining room or entry into a bathroom or bedroom. Either way they are sure to wow, when designed to your exact liking.

A pristine hand-crafted barn door from Woodstock is: 1) Functional – it’s easy to install and slides in & out of place taking up limited space 2) Stylish – it enhances the comfort and feeling of openness in any room 3) Friendly – budget friendly starting $1,000 less than a standard door & eco-friendly reclaimed barnwood doors are unique and help reduce deforestation. History Fact: Barns had larger doors to allow animals and trucks to enter. When a large door was swung open gusts of cold air would rush into the barn. Sliding doors were adapted to minimize the amount of cold air being let in.

Pick Your Style

The first decision is whether you want a rustic design or modern design. A sliding barn door doesn’t have to look like a barn at all! Let’s start with the traditional design – plank style. A plank style barn door has a single plank across the bottom and top of the door. It also has 5-6 vertical or 15-20 horizontal planks that are all close to identical. The mid-rail style resembles the plank style, with the addition of a horizontal plank in the center of the door.

Diving into X-Style barn doors, with a plank base, this style has a large X that covers the underlining planks. History Fact: This is also considered a traditional barn style, the X-design of boards were meant to make the door stronger. A Double X-Style barn door has a mid-rail base with a small x placed at the top & bottom of the center plank. Z-Style doors have one plank placed diagonally across to form a Z with the top & bottom planks.

U-Channel is a metal trim covering the sides of the doors. U-Channel adds a contemporary, designer look to your sliding barn door. A thinner U-Channel has a sleek look, while a thicker U-Channel gives a defined, boxier edge. Custom style varieties are endless such as adding a chalk board, a window, double rails or using a live-edge wood slab as your door.

Pick Your Wood & Handle

For a classic look, reclaimed Redwood or Barnwood are the perfect woods to achieve that design. We have 6 reclaimed wood colors to choose from including Boardwash White and Copious Brown. History Fact: Most western states had whitewash or brown barns. You can also choose new wood such as timeless oak, alder or modern maple. The texture can be smooth and unaltered, wire-brushed or resawed with cut marks.

Handles, typically made of stainless steel, range in size from 8” to 18”. Sliding door handles are a flush pull, you use your fingers to slide the door rather than grabbing onto a knob. A flush pull handle is flush with the back of the door allowing the door to get closer to the wall. Our barn door kits come with all the hardware to install the door including the handle.

Pick Woodstock

Woodstock Architectural Products is home to the finest quality woods, hand-selected to perfect any of your interior design needs! It’s as easy as 1-2-3. Pick your barn door style, wood & handle and we will turn your vision into a reality. We offer a free design consultation if you need assistance picking the right door for your remodel or new home! With information at your fingertips and a vision in mind, you are ready to start your custom barn door creation with us.

Additional source: Kate Kelly, “The American Barn: A Disappearing American Icon”

Re-design with Live-Edge Wood

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Out with the old and in with the new – is normally the Spring-cleaning motto, now going into the Summer our motto at Woodstock is “freshen up the old and make it new!” Often overlooked, small wood products are probably all around your home. Often walked all over is solid wood flooring. However, people don’t often explore the true wondrous beauty wood has to offer.

Being quarantined at home, waking up surrounded by the same thing every day has us ready to freshen up our spaces. Bring life to any room with live-edge wood! Live-edge wood is named for the distinctive look that surfaces when a tree is cut to reveal its darker inner grain and it is outer, lighter sap all in one unique slab. Not only does each piece provide a natural, calming effect – each piece also promotes organic, green living.

Is all live-edge wood the same?

The faux answer is no, but the real answer is that each piece of wood is unique just like a fingerprint. Live-edge wood can come in many different species and sizes. While the natural grain of the wood shines through, the color of each slab changes after it is kiln dried. No matter what you choose, none will disappoint!

Wood Species

Live-edge wood in the home

Wood furnishings can be found in almost every home or building, and you are asking yourself what’s new about that? From hardwood floors to solid wood doors, you’re likely already surrounded by natural beauty. We want to help you get excited about wood again!

Live-edge wood slabs are a designer choice for dining and living room tables, office desks and mantels. Specifically, parota live-edge wood is ideal for dining with a conversion varnish finish to protect the table from spills and wear over time. Our expert advice is to find a large slab (that we have in stock!) that can be used to create multiple custom pieces such as a dining table, coffee and end tables or a countertop with a resin inlay adding contrast to the overall kitchen décor. For a desk, a 2-3” thick slab is preferable to ensure endurance over time and the ability to hold equipment.

Live Edge Wood with Resin

Walnut live-edge wood is warm & inviting in any living room with its dark tones and beautiful patterns. Incorporating matching cookie cutter tables nicely compliments other modern decor. The round, smaller live-edge is a conversation starter because each cut shows the unique intricacies of the wood. Pairing a living room set with a live-edge mantel or floating shelf creates a complete design that adds both comfort and style.

Maple live-edge wood is a favorite for cutting boards. Maple is a hardwood that is extremely durable making it perfect for a long-lasting kitchen accessory. Due to its light-colored grain, stain applied to maple transforms it into many different shades from ebony to cherry.

Cookie Cutter Live Edge Table

 

Is live-edge wood expensive?

Live-edge wood is highly desirable for home and commercial décor. With people wanting the inside of the home flowing cohesively with the outdoor scenery, adding more unique wood features that tell a story is on an uptick. Not to mention, numerous craftsmen are needed to literally flip a slab and expert craftsmanship is needed to turn a slab and into an eye-catching piece. The cost for a gorgeous piece of live-edge furniture or décor in the home is truly worth it.

When shopping for live-edge wood keep in mind that pricing varies based on the species and availability. A large slab that is over 90” (7.5’) long typically sells around $1,500 as a raw, unfinished slab. A retail ready live-edge wood table with legs comfortably fits 6 people and on average costs $3,000. A custom dining table with details such as custom resin inlays typically is no more than $5,000. 

Smaller center “cookie” cut tables with metal legs start as low as $350 up to $1,200 for a set of 3. Large center “cookie” cut tables as wide as 4’ and 3” thick or live-edge root-based tables can range from $1,500 to $2,500. We highly recommend getting a set for a unified design. Live-edge wood accessories such as a cutting board or small floating shelf, start as low as $300.

At Woodstock, we custom make live-edge products to order. We work side-by-side with you to produce the vision you have for your space. Why wait any longer to re-design your living room or kitchen with refreshing live-edge wood?

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