Blog: Integrity Furniture Co. blogs about new items, projects, places to shop, refurbishing, salvage, custom work, designs, and related stories.

Little, White Desk Travels to New Home in The Hudson River Valley...

3/27/2017

One of my favorite drives is the trip North, along the Eastern side of the Hudson River. Every town along the way is worth a visit but if you are pressed for time, the drive through is enough to make you fall in love with the area.
Lush woods, rolling hills, steep cliffs and the glistening Hudson River will take your breath away. Historic stone houses, gorgeous churches and the occasional castle are sure to catch your eye along the way
. The area is full of culture and history and boasts the perfect landscape for outdoor activity, so you will often see people hiking, sledding, ice skating, boating and kayaking in many of the towns.

I think my little, white desk will love it here...much like I do.

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My New Obsession... Barn Wood!!

3/20/2017

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When I come across something that interests me, I write it in a notebook or on a post it note that later gets stuck in the notebook. When I am looking for ideas or new resources for work, I go through my notebook for inspiration.
I came across a note I had written about a company in Irvington, NJ called, "Real Antique Wood". They take down old barns across the country and reuse the barn wood. I looked them up online and read enough to know that I HAD to go there.
I had a painting job scheduled in Cranford, NJ the next day and it seemed easy enough to stop off in Irvington on my way back home to get a look at this place. Walking into the warehouse was a full sensory experience...the smell of wood burning in the pot belly stove brought me back to family vacations in Northern Maine when I was a child. Everywhere I looked was the most beautiful wood...on the walls, the floors, the ceiling...everywhere. I was greeted with the smiling faces of Gary and Lisa Horvath, the owners of "Real Antique Wood". Their sweet, yellow lab remained in the open office behind a gate, but she rushed over, with her tail wagging, to say hello. I hadn't made an appointment and I wasn't anyone special...just someone interested in taking a look around...and they could not have been kinder, more friendly or more gracious.
Gary walked me through the entire showroom answering my endless questions and telling me the stories behind every slab of wood. I loved every minute I was there. I had told Gary a little bit about what I do with old furniture and reclaimed wood and he told me he had just the place for me...and he brought me outside to the dumpster. Yes...the dumpster. It was filled with wet, barn wood scraps; remnants from boards that had been cut to measure for jobs. All of their scraps get recycled but he told me that I was welcome to grab what I wanted. Honestly, I thought I was dreaming. A truck load later...
Reclaimed Barnwood Signs in Vintage Frames by Integrity Furniture Co.

Each, one of a kind and made to order...

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Verona Kitchen Cabinetry Lightens Up...

2/4/2017

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A client in Verona was looking to lighten up her kitchen cabinetry and bring a brighter and more cohesive look to her kitchen. The glazed pine cabinets were fine, but looked too "busy" for the space and didn't work well with the tile backsplash. We discussed a few options and she decided on having them painted "Linen White" to match her pre-existing trim work and to create a seamless look to the cabinetry.

Before...

After...

Another job by Integrity Furniture Co.

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"Simply...Art and Framing" in Cranford, NJ Has it All!

1/27/2017

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Talented, knowledgable, friendly owner and staff
State of the Art Framing facility
Beautiful gallery of artwork from local and regional artists
Incredible assortment of handmade jewelry, pottery, glassware and chocolates
Fun and attractive home decor
Wide array of gifts
Painted furniture and home decor by Integrity Furniture Co.
Wonderful shopping events...featuring live jazz music and featured artists

"Simply, Art and Framing" 11 N. Union Ave, Cranford, NJ 07016
(908) 272-3030 simplyartandframes.us

Street side parking and Municipal parking at the rear of the building.

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WINDSOR CHAIRS...THEY'RE BACK AND HOTTER THAN EVER!

1/12/2017

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Windsor chairs represent Colonial America and have often been referred to as "the perfect chair". They are functional, lightweight, comfortable, versatile and sturdy. Dating back to 16th Century England, the Windsor chair was brought to America by English settlers and were used extensively during the time of the Revolution. Windsor chairs are pictured in many of the renderings of home interiors of that time period. It is believed that the first American Windsor Chairs were made in Philadelphia in 1730. Today, Windsor chairs can be found in many American homes.

The seat of the Windsor chair is the foundation around which the chair is built. Sculpted into a "Saddle" for comfort, the seat is made of thick wood into which the chair-back and legs are pushed into drilled holes. The legs are spalyed and fitted with a cross brace, (aka a stretcher), offerring maximun balance, strength and stability. The beautiful, curved and slightly reclined spindle back of the Windsor chair offers strong support when leaning back to relax. Traditionally, the legs, stretchers and uprights of a Windsor Chair are turned on a lathe, formin a decorative spindle. The back and the arms are formed by steaming and bending (steam bent) pieces of wood.

You can find Windsor Chairs in a variety of forms, woods and finishes. Windsor chairs are identified by the stlye of the back and the arms (See below in the photos of the most common American Windsor forms). Arm chairs, side chairs, benches, setees, writing chairs, rocking chairs and stools have all been made in the Windsor style.

Different regions of the country have made their unique impression on the Windsor chair; for example, New England and Philadelphia have distinctive turned spindles, each design different from the other. Many design eras have also left their mark on the Windsor chair. Adaptations have been made to the traditional Windsor styles taking on design elements from the Chippendale, Gothic, Sheraton and Mid-century periods.

bow-back

sack-back

continuous arm

low-back

fan-back

comb-back

In recent years, designers have modified the traditional Windsor styles to look more updated, sleek and modern. Windsor chairs can work in any space, with any style and now they are hotter than ever. Why? They are "the perfect chair".

A client recently contacted me, looking for chairs for her kitchen. She was hoping for well-made chairs with both character and versatility. I happened to have 6 Windsor chairs in my workshop that were screaming for a makeover and a new home. I knew they would be perfect for her. Made by the "S. Bent & Brothers" Company in Gardner, MA, this set was likely mass produced in the 50's, but had the craftsmanship, character and beauty of the Windsor chairs made long ago.

They were in rough shape, needed a good cleaning and some extensive repairs. I replaced the broken spindles, glued and braced the cracked seats and filled in and sanded the legs and stretchers that had been chewed by a dog. Once everything was fully repaired and sanded, I painted them black at my client's request and gave them a satin finish.

This beautiful set (of 2 braced, comb-back arm chairs and 4 braced, fan-back side chairs) are headed to their new home in Portsmouth, NH, where they will play an integral role in family meals, parties, get togethers and great conversations.
Long live the Windsor Chair.
Tricia Landel

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From the Trash to the Dining Room...???

12/8/2016

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I was lucky enough to happen upon 4 of these beautiful chairs. Structurally, they were in great condition. After removing the original upholstery and cushions, I was ready to get started...
A client happened to call asking for 4 black chairs for her Dining Room. I provided her with a number of fabric options that I thought would work she chose the black and white houndstooth. I painted the chairs black, built ahd upholstered new seats and...she loves them!

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Kitchen Gets a Makeover With Paint...

12/8/2016

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Piece by Piece

12/7/2016

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When I found this dresser in the garage of an old home, it was in a box...in pieces. The entire dresser had been taken apart. I grabbed what I could find and despite being two drawers short, I knew I could make something beautiful out of what was there. For sale at "Simply Art and Framing", 11 N. Union Ave, Cranford, NJ

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