furniture

• Tom McFadden Furniture

  
  

  Nestled along the northern California coast, not far from Point Arena and Mendocino, sits the small town of Boonville. It’s here that Tom McFadden, a furniture designer and builder, has lived and crafted stunning Arts and Crafts-inspired furniture since the early 1960s. McFadden, who also serves as a woodworking instructor at Mendocino Community College and creates custom cabinetry for Navarro Vineyards, draws influence from the elegant lines and graceful curves of Greene & Greene as well as elements of the Art Nouveau movement, all while maintaining a certain minimalistic approach. McFadden describes his work as currently revolving around two main styles: one that features the clean lines and square corners typical of formal Shaker furniture, and another that incorporates rounded “steps” – a design element he has developed that echoes the cloud lifts of Asian-inspired designs seen in the Greenes’ work. What sets McFadden’s creations apart, however, is his distinctive use of contrasting woods in varying shades and colors, which provides a striking visual contrast, particularly in some of his most intricate pieces. This unique aesthetic is even evident in his more traditional office furniture.

• Riley Fuller & Michael Coffey, sculptors and furnituremakers

  I recently heard from 29-year-old Riley Fuller, a New Hampshire-based woodworker currently apprenticed to his uncle, the great Michael Coffey.

  Riley readily acknowledges that he has huge shoes to fill; Coffey, after almost 60 years of woodworking, is generally considered one of the greatest wooden sculptors and furniture designers in the world. That said, I think you'll agree with me that Riley’s skill, imagination, and technique are promising and will certainly continue to develop as he works with his uncle and practices his craft.

  

  The mix of  Arts & Crafts, Nouveau, and modernism that Coffey pioneered is instantly recognizeable in Fuller's work as well:

  

  
  

• Style on a Shoestring: How to decorate your Home for Less

  

  Note: this is a guest post and consideration was received for its publication. photo: CC-licensed image by Tapisserie Decoration

  Home maintenance is expensive and as much as we’d like to stay on trend with our home decor, we can’t always afford to. Luckily, there are ways we can cut corners and still create a beautiful living space to be proud of. You can make big changes to your home at a fraction of your usual budget if you know where to look for decoration ideas. Make the most out of your home and your savings in two simple steps.  

  Make use of existing furniture

  It’s all too easy to let a piece of furniture become an ornament. We can be too keen to discard functional pieces in the home at the first sign of a chip in the paintwork or a stubborn stain, but don’t ignore them – salvage them! Bring an old coffee table or armchair out of the shadows with a touch of TLC.

  How? If a stool or small coffee table is no longer being used for its original purpose, give it a lick of varnish and use it as a night stand or a decorative table in the bedroom, living room or in the hall. If a ratty armchair is gathering dust in the corner, don’t replace or reupholster the chair – buy a fleece throw and some cheap cushions to liven it up and give it a purpose once more.

  Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise!

  Desperate to give a room a makeover but can’t face the hassle? Make use of vacant space by accessorising it with a few odds and ends. Things like wall decorations, vases and trinkets can go a long way toward creating a new look and add charm to an otherwise bland area.

  How? Markets and charity shops are a great way to source unique and interesting decorations on the cheap. Decorative ornaments and wall placards and signs can add a great rustic and inviting feel to the home – even something as small as a quirky doorstop or welcome mat can brighten up an ordinary hallway. But you can even revamp your decor for free too! Bring the outdoors in and make use of natural elements such as pebbles and wood for use on window sills or as part of a decorative vase or display. Eco-friendly and wallet friendly!

  Being thrifty with your decor is a great way to save money. Another extremely effective way to save is by reducing energy costs wherever you can in the home. And thanks to products such as the energy saving power meter by Energenie, you can. The energy meter can measure the energy use of household appliances and calculate the cost, allowing you to prioritise energy use and reduce bills!

• Create the Perfect Children’s Bedroom

  
  
  

  Note: this is a guest post and consideration was received for its publication. photo: CC-licensed image by Middlebury College

  Children’s bedrooms represent more than a place
  to sleep – they are a comforting safe haven with a strong identity, so taking
  the time to make your child’s room a home within a home is well worth the
  effort. Kids will undoubtedly have opinions when it comes to redesigning their
  personal space, but their ideas – however wild – needn’t break the bank. Discuss
  ideas openly with them for the best chance of reaching a practical compromise
  and create a look to please them for years to come.

   Be flexible

  Children can be notoriously temperamental, which
  is why choosing very specific themes is best avoided. Your daughter may be into
  baby pink and fairy’s now but a year or so down the line, she will have a
  change of heart. Instead of committing to a specific theme, work around it by
  making additional touches once the main overhauls such as the floor and
  wallpaper have been agreed to. For example, buy objects or toys in the room
  that reflect their favourite colours or pastimes to ensure you can always keep
  up with their changing trends.

  As for choosing a colour scheme that will last,
  you may want to consider neutral shades for the walls and carpets, or better
  yet, opt for laminate or hardwood floors
  – these will always prove easier to maintain than carpet. This way, the child
  can still infuse their personality by choosing a washable rug in their favourite
  colour.

  Make it spacious

  You’ll be surprised how quickly toys and clothes
  can amass in a child’s life before it leaves room for little else in their
  bedroom. Combat the clutter immediately with storage spaces and ask your son or
  daughter where they would prefer to keep their belongings so they can have the
  best access to them. Disguise storage boxes
  in the form of treasure chests or hollowed benches and seats at the end of
  their bed for practicality.

  Child-proofing

  Most importantly, make sure the bedroom is a
  safe place for them to be in. Fit window locks and cover any sockets and
  potential hazards with safety guards. Also, ensure heavy furniture is securely
  screwed to the wall and fit shelves as closely to their eye level as possible.
  This will give the added benefit of the illusion of higher ceilings and
  therefore, more playing space!

  Of course, the object that completes the look in
  a child’s bedroom is the bed itself. Metalbedsltd.com
  houses a versatile range of bed frame styles to satisfy the fussiest tastes!
  Whether your child is after more storage space or a stand-out design that reflects
  their personality, they’re sure to find a timeless style that ticks all boxes.

• Picking Out Unique and Stylish Bedroom Furniture

  

  Note: this is a guest post and consideration was received for its publication. photo: CC-licensed image by Mazzali

  If you ask somebody where the most
  important place in the world is to them, the majority will say their bedroom.
  This is because this is our own personal space in which we relax, unwind and
  get some much needed sleep, so it is absolutely essential that this is a space
  in which you can totally feel at ease and be happy in. The best way to do this
  is to have a well decorated space that also gives off a sense of your
  personality, so when you are decorating
  I think it is worth putting that little bit more thought and effort into what goes
  in this room.

  It all depends on the size of your own bedroom,
  but generally this is a space that you do not want to fill with too much
  clutter as this can lead directly to stress. Most people will generally have a
  bed along with a bedside table, a wardrobe, mirror, desk with a chair and not
  too much else. This should mean that there is some space to move around in the
  room and also you have some storage space to reduce clutter and mess, which
  will help you to feel relaxed at all times. Ideally all of these furniture
  pieces will be matching too, as this will help to achieve a complete and well
  decorated look which is very important for all bedrooms to achieve.

  How
  to Pick and Choose a Style for You

  This means that you will want to pick one
  style and stick with it, and one of the better styles which is elegant and
  sophisticated is French furniture, and there are some truly beautiful pieces
  for you to add to your room which will immediately improve its overall look. It
  is worthwhile finding one particular designer that you like, as this way you
  can purchase everything under the same roof and also find pieces that match
  perfectly. Designers like The
  French Bedroom Company will carry everything that you would need in a well
  decorated bedroom, so check out some individual designers to see what takes
  your fancy.

  It is also important to note that with
  stylish furniture picked out, the walls and floor will also need to be in tune
  with the style that you have chosen, so this is also important to consider when
  you are decorating your bedroom.

• A Top Tip for Making Decorating More Manageable

  

  Note: this is a guest post and consideration was received for its publication. photo: CC-licensed image by Webb Zahn.

  It is hugely important that you take pride
  in your homes appearance, and this is so that you can welcome guests into your
  home and also so that you can feel relaxed and happy when you are there.
  Unfortunately lots of people neglect their homes appearance, and you can always
  tell as soon as you walk through the front door whether or not somebody takes
  pride in their home. It can make a huge difference about how you feel in
  yourself, and it does not have to be a mammoth task which breaks the bank
  either.

  All you have to do is pick a particular style and
  colour scheme, and then make sure that this is consistent throughout the house.
  This will include the walls and the carpets but also the furniture too, and
  once you have a particular style chosen then it really isn’t too difficult, and
  I find the best way to make it most manageable is to break it down room by
  room. This helps you to keep it under control and not have your house turned
  upside down, and then once a room is complete you simply turn your attention to
  the next one on the list.

  Finding
  Furniture to Your Taste

  Another great way to make your decorating
  simpler and more straightforward is to find one supplier of your furniture, as
  this way you can buy in bulk and you also know that they will have everything
  you need and in the style of your choice. For example, if you decide if you
  want to go for traditional oak furniture or something similar then you can turn
  to a company like Notation
  Furniture, who specialise in wood furniture. By finding a company that does
  the style that you want for your home it allows you to find everything you need
  and for each room, so this will include wardrobes, desks, bedside tables,
  dining tables, chairs, cabinets, bookcases and much, much more.

  This makes it much easier to decorate your
  home and to decorate it well too, so don’t be put off by the idea and instead
  start looking at some styles that you think would suit your home. Once you have
  identified a style you can begin to break it down room by room and how you want
  each one to look, and this is the best way to decorate any home.

• Make your bedroom more luxurious than any five star hotel room

  

  Note: this is a guest post and consideration was received for its publication. photo: CC-licensed image by Jeanne Michelle Smith

  Let’s face it; we all want to live the life
  of luxury and that’s why we constantly dream of winning the lottery and
  escaping to a faraway island. In addition, whenever we plan holidays we always
  consider the luxury and relaxation elements of the trips. But, why do we have
  to get away to experience luxury? You can have luxury
  right in your own home and the cost implications aren’t huge. Here’s how
  you can make your home more luxurious than any five star hotel:

  • Save yourself time by installing a dishwasher: The best thing about a holiday is that somebody else does all the
    chores and this leaves you free to relax. By getting a dishwasher you can
    eliminate at least one banal task, giving you more time to relax and enjoy your
    time away from the office.
  • Upgrade your bed and mattress: One of
    the most notable things about a five star hotel is the comfort of the bed. It
    is almost impossible to have a bad sleep in a posh hotel and this is something
    that you can easily emulate in your own home by upgrading your bed and
    mattress. Four-poster
    beds really exemplify style and luxury and look great in any home (as long
    as you have the ceiling height). If this interests you, then visit Retford
    Pine to see what is on offer for what price.
  • Add candles and mood lighting to get the right vibe: Holidays and breaks are all about relaxation and nothing relaxes
    people more than scented candles. Used in the right place and at the right
    time, candles can improve both the smell and look of any home. They can not
    only add freshness but they can change the mood of any room too; particularly
    if you’re snuggled on the sofa watching a good film.

  Five star hotels really are luxurious but they
  are simply unaffordable on a regular basis. Upgrading your home gradually,
  however, is much more affordable and sustainable. So, use your money wisely and
  you can live in comparable luxury in no time! All of the above suggestions are
  great ideas but feel free to add your own and move at your own pace. Everybody
  sees luxury differently, so make sure that what you do is right for you and
  your family. You really can be enjoying your own luxurious home in no time-
  you’ll never have to go away again.

• for sale: Stickley Settle, c. 1907

  
  

  This beautiful L&JG Stickley settee is on Ebay right now. Asking price is a bit over $5,000.

• ed & alice syszynski: ready to build

  We've been big fans of Alice Suszynski's cabinetry ever since we first saw a small cabinet of hers at a bungalow show in San Francisco. Now, Alice has teamed up with her engineer husband Ed to produce a line of ready-to-build kits – small chests, cabinets and boxes intended for jewelry and other precious small items – showing off some of her signature styles. Dream Mountain Studios' ready-to-build line currently includes almost a dozen different designs, all firmly part of the Arts & Crafts tradition – Alice's prairie, bird and floral motifs are my personal favorite.

  While you're at it, take a look at Alice's larger (and often custom) case goods.

• reclaimed wood tables

  From time to time, we allow a company or craftsperson we know and trust to place a sponsored post here at Hewn and Hammered. This particular piece is from Arcadian Lighting, who have been selling home lighting fixtures and lamps online at a deep discount for over 15 years.

  Today’s guest post is from Susi, a writer for Arcadian Lighting. Visit their website and cool blog for more information about interior design, lighting design, and beautiful light fixtures. A green trend in design is using reclaimed wood for furniture and floors. Reclaimed wood tables are probably the most common type of furniture where you can find reclaimed wood being used. Here are 8 examples of reclaimed wood tables, from contemporary to traditional, that demonstrate green design can be gorgeous design.

   

  

  Pinterest (via)

  Reclaimed wood can be used for console tables, side tables and bedside tables as well as dining tables and coffee tables. Reclaimed wood is a great, green option for any type of table.

  

  Pottery Barn (via)

  Reclaimed wood is such a hot trend right now that major retailers are getting behind it with their products. Look for dining tables, coffee tables, and console tables all made of reclaimed wood.

  

  Cote de Texas (via)

  A reclaimed wood and steel coffee table looks right at home in a traditional/farmhouse living room. Reclaimed wood tables work well with a number of styles and decors.

  

  Southern Hospitality (via)

  Dining tables made of reclaimed wood mean you don’t have to worry about every little stain or scratch. This reclaimed wood trestle table has an antique feel to it. Always aware of a room’s light fixtures, we love the lamps and drum pendant light in this room.

  

  LA Times Blogs (via)

  Reclaimed wood paired with metal bases has contemporary clean lines that almost feel industrial. These clean lines mean the reclaimed wood table can work in a variety of dining rooms or kitchens.

  

  Apartment Therapy (via)

  Slabs of reclaimed wood have a more contemporary feel to them when used as tables. Paired with sleek modern or contemporary chairs, this slab table recalls the designs of mid-century design master, George Nakashima.

  

  LA Times Blogs (via)

  A sleek coffee table lets the character and charm of the reclaimed wood be the star. Looks great with the modern style sofa, but could also work in a more traditional room.

  

  FFFFound (via)

  Reclaimed wood has built in charm and age. Knicks, gouges, patina, color variation and rustic finishes are all part of the charm of reclaimed wood tables. Vintage pendant lights are perfect above reclaimed wood tables. Content provided by Arcadian Lighting, a site that specializes in top quality lighting fixtures at extremely affordable prices. If you like this post, be sure to stop by the Arcadian Lighting blog and say hello!