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