Archive for the ‘Wood Art’ Category
My New Cabin
The dream has finally come to pass. I have been planning for this event ever since I was a child, and now here were are thirty years later and I finally have it. My grandparents purchased me a secluded cabin in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains when I was four years old, but I they said they wouldn’t officially bequeath it to me until I graduated from college, which just happened
It is an idyllic cabin next to a little stream, and I am in love with it. The first thing I want to do before I get too carried away with hiking, fishing and exploring the great outdoors, I want to furnish the cabin a bit. A handcrafted antler chandelier would be perfect for the main room, along with some leather seats and some traditional handmade wood decor.
Embrace Your Inner Cowboy
There are ways to decorate without being obvious about your obsession with fashion. Maybe all these years you’ve been a slave to modern fashions; decorating your home with bright, bold prints and adorning your figure with the latest designer’s garb. Make today a new day and surprise everyone by choosing a new motif for your home and your clothing.
Toss out all your post-modern riff raff and welcome in a rustic, country theme of décor. People may not believe that you would ever milk a cow or shoe a horse, but that doesn’t mean you can’t decorate like a cowboy would. Buy some wagon-wheel tables and adorn them with rustic table lamps. Purchase some handcrafted wooden décor items that revert to a simpler time. Your new rustic style will be the envy of all your friends and family. To really shock them, start donning a cowboy hat to special events
Longer Lasting Flowers
I’ve had this lovely wooden vase of roses on my desk this week. My secret admirer bought them for me! They came a few days ago and were brought in by a deliveryman. The note only said, “To my dearest Margie, you are a sweet baby doll.” I was so touched; no one had ever sent me flowers before.
That’s why I was so proud to have them displayed on my desk. But after the fifth day they were there, I noticed that they were starting to wilt. I bought some flower food from the local nursery and immediately it made all the difference. The roses perked up and even seemed to darken in color. Needless to say, next time my secret admirer gets me flowers, I will use flower food.
Placing and Aligning Wall Art
Nothing is more noticeable than a poorly aligned picture or an off kilter poster. When it comes to hanging wood wall art, don’t bother with the hassle of a carpenter’s level. Using laser levels saves time and ensures that you have perfectly aligned wall art. It’s also possible to use a laser level for a number of household needs, such as setting up shelves, aligning bookcases, and even placing lighting fixtures.
While some do-it-yourselfers may see a laser level as a bastardization of traditional carpentry, the improved accuracy and precision that the tool provides can’t be questioned. With hundreds of applications and a clear advantage over the carpenter’s level, for all your household needs there’s no reason not to own a laser level.
Creating the Appalachian Living Room
I have always had fond memories of sharing summers with my uncle at his cabin in the Appalachian Mountains. When I chose furniture for my living room, I wanted it just like uncle Tristan’s cabin. I decided to go with rustic living room furniture, which created that old fashioned appeal with traditional accents. I also utilized the space on the walls for a variety of handmade wooden décor items. In the end, I think my rustic living room turned out great.
Years after I first designed my living room, Uncle Tristan came to visit, and even he said it felt like home. I think decorating any room in the house with a particular environment in mind is a great idea. With a home environment that reminds you of another place, you can find it easier to put yourself in a different state of mind.
A Dream Vacation Home
After years of labor and frugal spending, my wife and I finally saved up enough money to purchase a vacation home last year. Some people fantasize about owning a beachfront villa or real estate in a golf community, but not us. We had our sights set on a secluded cabin hidden away in the Cascade Mountains.
When the deed was in our hands, we wasted no time in taking a month long vacation to enjoy the fruits of our labor. The first week was committed to outfitting the cabin with furniture and decorations. We wanted to maintain the lodging’s rustic appeal, so we opted for wood furniture and handcrafted wooden décor
Handmade Fretwork
Whether it is used to highlight some aspect of your home or as a completely unique work of art, fretwork is one of the best ways to beautify your abode. Fretwork typically features intricate geometric designs that are created from wood or metal. Traditionally, fretwork was done by hand, but today many pieces are mass-produced.
Although there is certainly more precision in fabricated fretwork, I prefer the rustic appeal of handcrafted art. The fact that there may be a few errors or blemishes reminds me of the hard work and countless hours that an artisan poured into the piece. These handcrafted items often feature designs that are more meticulous and original than their cookie cutter counterparts.
Personalized Decorating
When I moved into my new apartment, I knew that I wanted to have furniture and artwork that was original and representative of my personality. In my opinion, your personal possessions should be an expression and inextricable component of your character. Finding décor that fits the bill has been an ongoing endeavor.
In order to highlight my rustic side, I have been scouring the internet and antique shops for handcrafted wood art. Last week I was finally able to find a site that had just what I am looking for. Now that that is covered, I plan to begin working on my Zen garden, which is emblematic of my spiritual side.
Custom Wood Turning
Back in middle school, I took a class known as “General Technology.” It is basically the 21st century version of shop class, incorporating computer technology with basic tool skills. We covered the basics of course, but one thing that sticks out in my memory was a visit by a professional wood turner.
The shop was equipped with an old lathe, and one afternoon he came in and gave us a lesson in custom wood turning. It was amazing to see him transform a block of wood into an intricately designed work of art. While my skills will never reach that level, the experience has given me a greater appreciation for the craftsmanship that is inherent in various forms of woodworking.
Creating a Warm, Inviting Atmosphere
One of the best ways to positively change the feeling of the home is to add warmer decorations on a centralized fixture, such as flowers on a dining or coffee table. Of course, flowers are just one part, in order to have the best aesthetic possible, finding a vase that will complement the flowers is just as imperative.
I have found that the best decorative vases have been handcrafted wood ones. In the past the wood vase has been a staple of flea markets, art shows and church craft fairs, but aside from that they have been difficult to find. Thanks to the internet, you can find homemade vases all over the place and you’ll be able to choose from a near infinite selection that would best complement your home