Reclaimed Timber. Old Wood, New Design.
6 Min.
Reclaimed timber is in the spotlight again. Combining old wood with new design creates a unique space with a true sense of history. We have always loved reclaimed wood and since becoming the New England distributor for Olde Wood Ltd. we’ve had a steady supply that we have incorporated into our designs for flooring, cabinetry, furniture and even in our showroom.
Passing through rural farm country in the US you can’t miss those great old barns scattered through the fields. Overgrown with weeds, no longer doing their once vital job, these noble structures sit and wait their eventual return to the earth. But some begin a new history in a brand new place as reclaimed timbers.
Creating new and beautiful timbers from dilapidated structures can be challenging – just finding the buildings is half the battle! Fortunately Olde Wood loves timber as much as we do and their team of craftsmen are trained to see the intrinsic beauty in vintage structures that have outlived their usefulness. Their team travels the country seeking out wooden buildings that are no longer used or are scheduled for demolition, then they get to work removing all salvageable siding, flooring and beams.
Once the structure has been carefully dismantled the lumber is brought back to the Olde Wood facility where it is graded, de-nailed and separated. The timbers are then warehoused and stored until an order is placed. Once needed the lumber needed is kiln dried (6-8%), checked for defects and manufactured into gorgeous hardwood planks. Olde Wood processes the timber in this manner to maximize efficient use of this limited material and to ensure consistency and quality in each custom order. This way they can virtually eliminate any moisture or stability issues and enable custom runs to exact specifications.
One of my favori
te JF pieces is the picnic inspired breakfast table made from antique Oak, it’s simple clean lines are made smooth and
comfortable with the knots and grain of the old Oak. I also love this beautiful hutch which was built from antique Pine, it looks as though it could have been in the house for generations, and perfectly juxtaposes the contemporary lines of the island.
The warmth and patina of reclaimed wood lend themselves beautifully to furniture pieces, islands and tables. The appeal of reclaimed wood is both aesthetic and ideological, antique timbers fit seamlessly in historic homes and make a sustainability statement in new builds.
Learn more about Jewett Farms + Co,’s selection of reclaimed woods here.
JF Content creator and marketing director. Olivia loves beautiful spaces, inside and outside. When she’s not writing and talking about gorgeous kitchens Olivia can be found riding her bicycle around the country.