How a Working Forest Contributes to a Healthier Ecosystem

February 14, 2021 Alexandra Thompson

By managing our own forest here in Vermont since 2013, we have witnessed the beautiful harmony of a healthy ecosystem. When Vermont Woods Studios outgrew the spare bedroom in Peggy’s home, our team searched for a permanent home. Above all, our goal was to find a space that would reflect the values of the company and offer a home to showcase the works of Vermont’s finest furniture craftsmen. After a long search, we found Stonehurst. As you can imagine, we love every minute we get to spend out in our forest!

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This blog is written by your friends at Vermont Woods Studios. Check out our Vermont made furniture and home decor online and visit our showroom and art gallery at Stonehurst, the newly restored 1800s farmhouse nestled in the foothills of the Green Mountains.

Steve Upton Wildlife Photography Roars into Vermont Woods

April 20, 2018April 24, 2018 Peggy Farabaugh Leave a comment

Last updated on April 24th, 2018 at 10:22 am

Steve Upton | Wildlife Photography Exhibit | Vermont Woods Studios — Wildlife photographer, Steve Upton is showcasing his work at Stonehurst this Spring and Summer. Over a dozen photos are available to view and purchase in-store as well as online.

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What I Learned From Heating with An Outdoor Wood Boiler

December 4, 2017April 5, 2019 Peggy Farabaugh 1 Comment

Last updated on April 5th, 2019 at 09:41 am

By Ken Farabaugh

Heating Stonehurst with an outdoor wood boiler — To heat our showroom, we’re using an E-Classic 2400 Central Boiler which we purchased from Dale Temple of Temple Plumbing & Heating in Westminster, Vermont. We burn scrap wood (from furniture making) and trees that need to be culled from our forest.

Heating Stonehurst Sustainably

My wife, Peggy, and I started a sustainable furniture company in 2005. The business has grown over the years and in September 2012 we purchased Stonehurst, a historic property and former ski area in Vernon, Vermont. The goal was to restore the property and create a unique destination for customers to shop for Vermont made wooden furniture. We decided to invest in an outdoor wood boiler to heat the renovated property. Peggy wanted to avoid using fossil fuels and I wanted to make use of the property’s many downed trees. Read More

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Modern Art & Shaker Furniture: A Beautiful Couple

September 28, 2017March 13, 2019 Peggy Farabaugh Leave a comment

Last updated on March 13th, 2019 at 01:10 pm

Abstract Art by Joe Norris — Customers are loving the contrast of our clean wooden furniture placed next Joe Norris’ colorful modern art. From left to right, Joe’s abstract paintings are: Crossword, Oxidation E and Oxidation 21. Originals are available for purchase online or at our Stonehurst showroom.

Abstract Art is Lighting Up Our Showroom

The walls of Stonehurst have been graced by the colorful abstract art of local painter, Joe Norris. Joe is a Vermont-based artist whose paintings reside in galleries & private homes throughout New England and around the world. We love seeing his vibrant paintings as the backdrop for our Vermont made furniture. They’re the perfect modern yin to our traditional yang.
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Vermont Style Home Decor

August 12, 2017June 11, 2019 Peggy Farabaugh Leave a comment

Last updated on June 11th, 2019 at 12:05 pm

Vermont Style Home Decor | Hubbardton Forge Lamps — Hubbardton Forge lamps are lighting up our showroom. When you put them together with Vermont made furniture it starts to add up to a unique Vermont style of home decor. The floor lamp on the left is the Almost Infinity, and the one on the right is the Metra Quad Table Lamp.

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We’re a Certified Wildlife Habitat®

July 8, 2017August 14, 2018 Peggy Farabaugh 1 Comment

Last updated on August 14th, 2018 at 01:45 pm

Certified Wildlife hatitat — The National Wildlife Federation has recognized us in their ‘Garden for Wildlife’ program. Our Stonehurst showroom is on 109 acres of sustainably managed woodlands and meadows which NWF has designated as a Certified Wildlife Habitat®.

Dear Customers, Thank You!

The National Wildlife Federation is America’s largest wildlife conservation and education organization. We’re excited to support their work by creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat® as part of their ‘Garden for Wildlife’ program. This achievement is only possible because of the strong support we receive from our wonderful customers and stakeholders.

Fellow Nature Nuts: you can do the same at your home or business! If you have a garden that improves habitat for birds, butterflies, frogs and other wildlife, join the club and get it certified. It’s all about providing your neighborhood wildlife with natural food sources, clean water, cover and places to raise young.
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May is ‘Garden For Wildlife’ Month

May 18, 2017May 25, 2017 Peggy Farabaugh Leave a comment

Last updated on May 25th, 2017 at 11:53 am

Nina's beautiful pollinator garden at Stonehurst | Vermont Woods Studios — This our flower garden at Stonehurst. When Nina and our Vermont Woods Studios “Garden Club” planted it, we had pollinators (especially monarch butterflies) in mind. But LARGER wild visitors also decided it was beautiful and delicious. Cut flowers for the showroom usually take a backseat to delicacies for ground hogs, wild turkeys and deer. Click on any photo to enter our #GetDirty giveaway (a $425 gift certificate) and celebrate planting with us.

Plant a Garden For Wildlife

May is National Wildlife Federation’s Garden for Wildlife month. Since 1973, the program has been showing people how to turn their own small piece of the Earth into thriving habitat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The goal is to restore habitat and wildlife populations to our cities, towns and neighborhoods. The program helps wildlife and gives people a daily connection to the natural world right outside their door.
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Gardening for Wildlife

May 3, 2017August 3, 2018 Peggy Farabaugh Leave a comment

Last updated on August 3rd, 2018 at 10:16 am

We supported the National Wildlife Federation’s ‘Garden for Wildlife’ initiative by planting milkweed, apple trees and nectar plants at Stonehurst. From left: owners Peggy & Ken, Michelle (order processing genie), Martin (webmaster), Dennis (marketing manager), Sean, Mike and Rebecca (your friendly design and sales team).

#GetDirty & win $425.

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A Mother’s Day Gift Guide for Vermont Lovers

May 2, 2017November 18, 2018 Peggy Farabaugh Leave a comment

Last updated on November 18th, 2018 at 09:19 pm

What Are You Getting Mom?

Whether you’re a mom, dad, brother, sister, aunt or great uncle twice removed, you’ll probably need to get a Mother’s Day gift or two. If your honorees are devoted to exquisite, Vermont made treasures and you’re lucky enough to be able to indulge them, we’ve got some suggestions for you.

Expecting Moms, New Moms & Grandmothers

Mother's Day Gift Guide | Give mom a rocking chair to relax & snuggle up in — This handmade Quilted Rocker is perfect for expecting moms, new moms, grand moms, step moms and well.. any mom who needs a little pampering. The rocking chair’s made in Vermont by Jim Geier. Mom will have the same rocker that’s owned by several Presidents of the United States and even the Pope.

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Celebrate Spring at Stonehurst

April 10, 2017May 2, 2017 Peggy Farabaugh Leave a comment

Last updated on May 2nd, 2017 at 10:10 pm

Sunshine, warm weather, birds singing, more daylight, picnic lunches… what’s not to celebrate during Spring! So if you’re coming up to shop for furniture, bring your boots and build in a little extra time to enjoy Spring at Stonehurst. It’s beautiful! A couple things you can do here that you never thought of doing at a furniture store:

Take A Hike

Hike through our 100 acre woodland at Stonehurst. We located our sustainable furniture store here so you can experience the kind of responsibly-managed forest where your furniture originates.
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