I know it is early to start thinking about making Holiday and Christmas crafts… but frankly, I’m ready for some JOY! Aren’t you? So I’m compiling a gazillion of my holiday crafts I’ve made over the years for DIY NETWORK, my blog, my books and more… and putting them here. I’m going to try to link as many as I can to the STEP by STEP directions for each as well. Seriously folks — we deserve homemade gifts and holiday crafting now! :) Virtual Hugs to You All. Joanne
xoxo Joanne
Wood...n't You Know! Beautiful Ways to Use Reclaimed Wood in Design
Hello! I’m so excited to chat about Reclaimed, Repurposed, Salvaged, Recycled and Urban Salvaged Wood and how you can incorporate these materials in your design — and why it is so important. I recently watched a show, hosted by broadcaster, David Attenborough, A Life on Our Plant, a MUST WATCH! So good and important. And one of the topics was trees and how important they are to the health of our planet and to us! So with that in mind, I decided it was time for a blog post about reclaimed wood — since I talk about it in all three of my Salvage Design books and use it constantly in my interior design work, whether it is my residential projects or hospitality and commercial ones. :)
Don’t Judge a Book by It’s Cover
Many times reclaimed old wood that you see at a salvage yard, recycle center or lumber yard is very dark due to oxidation, dirty and dust. Remember, that it will be either sanded well or planed so the natural color will shine through. So bring a piece of sandpaper and a bottle of water with you — to test the wood colors (sand a little area and then pour water on it — which will give you an idea of what the wood will look like with a sealer on it — such as polyurethane, wax or Osmo.)
Types of Reclaimed Wood
We all naturally think of old wood from factory floors, or old buildings that are being deconstructed — and that is great — but there are so many more types of wood you can use that are from second hand sources. There is dimensional lumber (you know, 2 x 4’s, plywood, etc.) that are usually found at Rebuild centers, or online on your local forums. There is also Urban Salvage wood — which is wood that has to be cut down from a local city or town due to disease or construction — these are usually gorgeous old tree species that are very hard to find today. There are companies that work with the city’s and town’s to help them with these — so they don’t go into the chipper (shudder). And of course, let’s not forget all the amazing second hand wood furniture pieces out there.
When I’m Looking for Wood
Depending on what I need, will inform where I go first. If I’m looking for dimensional lumber to paint black and create bookshelves, I’ll go to my local ReBuild center. If I’m looking for gorgeous old urban salvaged wood for a solid table top, I go to the lumber mill that takes those in. If I’m looking for old wood for paneling, flooring, or barn doors, then I head directly to my Salvage Store — such as an Architectural Salvage Shop or a place like Salvage Works, who basically have a grocery store for reclaimed wood. Many times, when I’m working on a renovation project, I ask the clients and builder to set aside all the wood from the demo — and then we reincorporate it back into the project. Heck, even reclaimed Urban Lumber has a network that you can search your town for on it.
What to Consider
It is always good to get your wood from a place to really understands it. If you are looking for reclaimed wood that is for a structural purpose (such as beams in a home), then get them from a place that can help with weigh bearing issues, loads, and much more. Also, budget will play a factor in your choices. Every location measures wood differently — some charge by the linear foot and others by the square foot. Drying, cleaning and caring for the wood is important before it is used — so consider if it is worth paying extra for the perfect salvage yard wood — or are you going to do that yourself? The character, strength, depth of wood is so vast that I recommend that you go and look at it and see what all your options are.
Why Use Reclaimed Wood
Because the beauty and soul it brings to your design project is immeasurable. But even more important then that, it helps us reuse what we already have, save exotic and old growth trees from being cut down, and it creates jobs. Yes, it may seem be a little bit more work to educate yourself on the best choices, to but if you go to the right places, they will make it simple for you.
Grab your vintage wooden bowl full of popcorn and go watch the movie, A LIFE on OUR PLANET. :) Great for the whole family.
XOXO Joanne
5 BEFORE + AFTER -- INEXPENSIVE DESIGN UPDATES FOR YOUR HOME + VACATION RENTAL
My last post was in April. So much has changed in the world. Many of it for the better. We have learned to pivot, understand our limits and our levels of compassion and understanding. We have learned to make do — and do better. I ready to make changes for the better. I hope moving forward I can play my role in that.
As I find myself getting a ton of calls about small renovation projects, updates for vacation rentals from all states (virtual design is now a new reality), I realize that folks are craving ways they can physically make changes to their homes, boutique hospitality locations and businesses. We all need something we feel we have control over — and if it is a small DIY Home Improvement project — then so be it.
I thought I’d share a few before and afters of things I’ve designed and have featured in my latest book, Rock Your Rental (I wrote with my twin sister, Rosanne) to inspire you. I’m thinking of you all and looking forward to the time we can all be together again soon. xoxo Joanne
AT BEAR MOUNTAIN INN, MAINE. There were so many transformations at this lovely inn, you need to see them to believe. It was a fun project and many of the rooms required only cosmetic changes to make them stand out as a modern, yet keep the charm of this lake region Maine Inn. From a reclaimed wood panel wall to a painted headboard, walls and floors. To adding beadboard ceiling and new light fixtures… These changes have truly made this room inviting and welcoming. After Pic: Molly + Victoria Photography
This PROJECT HOUSE 2019 for magazines, Cottages and Bungalows and American Farmhouse Style, was a fun project. I was asked to be one of the three designers for this project — I choose the three bedrooms. I did these almost entirely virtually (even before COVID) except for the one day install and styling of all three bedroom. I picked out the peel and stick wallpaper from Wall Flora online, the Ethincraft Bed, Parachute Bedding, then headed to The Vermont Antique Mall to grab all the amazing vintage pieces that we added to the rooms. To see another one of my rooms I designed check out the pages of the magazine at the Yankee Barn Homes link. Photo by Ridge Light Studios
Sometimes you just can’t see the forest through the trees. I find myself walking into a vacation rental design project or home renovation project and realizing that the owners just can’t see the whole picture because they are too close to it. This vacation rental redo (check out all the pics here) was fun because it was all about adding some character — through built-in shelving, updated furnishings, rearranging layout and adding some styling — we totally transformed the space. This transformation has dramatically increased the rental rate and booking rate of this townhouse. Look around your space — can you arrange things differently, can you add some texture — like shelving, beadboard, shiplap, or gorgeous flooring, that will bring comfort and enjoyment to you and your guests.
Who has a room in their house or vacation rental that they really would love to take from awkward to awe-inspiring. Here is your chance. In this vacation rental transformation I did in Michigan with owners, we took a small angled-ceiling bedroom and created built-in twin beds. There was no way that this room would ever accommodate a double bed comfortable — so why force it. Not only did we take advantage of the angled wall, but now there is more room to move around, store stuff and enjoy. Check out the rest of this Victorian Home turned Vacation Rental Transformation.
Open shelving, new cabinets, farmhouse sink, wood hood vent, custom vintage island, these seem like big changes, but taken one at a time, they can easily be done. This budget vacation rental home transformation took a small cramped space and transformed it into an inviting, charming lakefront cottage style kitchen. The beadboard behind the salvaged wood shelving are panels from the hardware store and the island is an vintage table with a salvaged piece of butcher block. Ikea cabinets and sink, and budget friendly glass pendant lights.
Rosanne and I wrote this book to help boutique hospitality locations like Inns, B&B’s, Motels, Boutique Vacation Rentals, make simple design and marketing changes without breaking the bank, but what we have found that homeowners who want to do simple renovations are loving it as well. We are thrilled the book has received all 5-star reviews! :) We hope you will check it out!
My best, Joanne
BEDROOM LOVE... Every Style and Design
I did a bedroom post in January because the weather was chilly. Now I’m going to add more because we are spending lots more time at home and sometimes it is fun to get a peek at another bedroom or two. Here are a few of the different styles I’ve done for clients - -many of these are vacation rentals, boutique hotels, motels and resorts — that are featured in my new book, Rock Your Rental, that I wrote with my twin sister Rosanne (a marketing expert). Thrilled that the book is doing so well and it is not only inspiring vacation rental owners but homeowners who want to make some changes to their rooms with a small budget. So without further ado — the bedroom blitz. Be well. xoxo J
DIY's YOU CAN MAKE FROM STUFF YOU ALREADY HAVE AROUND...
I have been a crafting queen lately — if you are like me — and find it very theraputic — then I want to share some of my past ideas with you that you can probably make from stuff you already have around the house. Enjoy. I have posted some really fun LIVE Instagram videos on my feed of some clever DIY’s — check them out too.