Shabby Chic 101: What it is and How to Apply it in Your Home

October 28, 2019September 26, 2022 Riley Farabaugh 1 Comment

Last updated on September 26th, 2022 at 12:36 pm

Shabby Chic kitchen decor — Notice the unsanded, unfinished, and reused wood palettes being used as shelves in this kitchen design, along with vintage rusting ornaments. These design aspects add a feeling of nostalgia and contribute to the shabby chic style. (Source)

Shabby chic is a style of interior design that utilizes distressed, worn, and antiquated decor to deliver an artistic and earthy aesthetic. It originates from Great Britain and in its early form, it was a rather grand style utilized by large country houses. Today this style usually isn’t quite as grandiose since it can be found in a variety of homes, both big and small, but one thing that hasn’t changed is that it still makes for instantaneously captivating accent pieces and furniture.

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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.

Green Team Profile: Kelli Dobosz

October 23, 2019November 11, 2019 Riley Farabaugh

Last updated on November 11th, 2019 at 11:59 am

In this #VWSGreenTeam profile, we’re introducing Kelli Dobosz. Kelli joined us recently to help lead our customer service and sales teams. She has two daughters, two dogs, and comes to us having spent the last several years managing a team of medical professionals (so you know she’s detail oriented!). She’s also a former member of the U.S. Navy and has a long family history of military service.

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5 of the Most Common Types of Cedar Trees

October 18, 2019August 16, 2021 Riley Farabaugh

Last updated on August 16th, 2021 at 12:54 pm

Search results for "cedar tables" — You can see that an internet search for “cedar tables” shows what appears to be multiple types of cedar wood. Here’s a breakdown of 5 of the most common types of cedar.

“Cedar” can be a confusing wood because most trees we’d consider to be cedar aren’t from the species cedrela. For example, Eastern red cedar, by its scientific name Juniperus virginiana L., is actually from the species juniper, as the moniker indicates. However, Eastern red cedar is the tree responsible for most of the cedar lumber encountered in furniture in the U.S.

Five of the most common types of cedar trees are covered below.

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10 Tips for Saving the Monarch Butterfly

October 3, 2019September 15, 2022 Peggy Farabaugh

Last updated on September 15th, 2022 at 11:25 am

Saving the Monarch Butterfly | 2019 | Vermont Woods Studios — At Vermont Woods Studios we’re working on saving the Monarch Butterfly. As they leave VT on their annual migration to Mexico we share tips about how you can help monarchs avoid extinction. Hint: it’s all about the milkweed.

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5 of the Best Oil Finishes for Wood Furniture

August 28, 2019April 13, 2022 Riley Farabaugh 2 Comments

Last updated on April 13th, 2022 at 09:15 am

Oil finishes are commonly used on wood furniture and kitchen utensils. Generally speaking, oil finishes are eco-friendly, food-safe, and non-toxic. They’re also easy to repair and produce a more textured grain pattern than many alternatives. They tend to be considered a more traditional finish, as oils have been used as wood finishes for thousands of years. However, oil finishes generally don’t offer the same level of protection and durability that you’d find with a lacquer or varnish.

Here are five of the most commonly used oil finishes:

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What Ever Happened to H.T. Cushman Furniture?

August 22, 2019August 16, 2021 Riley Farabaugh 1 Comment

Last updated on August 16th, 2021 at 12:45 pm

Cushman Furniture: Brand Plate for Cushman Colonial Creations

The H.T. Cushman Manufacturing Company was founded in 1886 and spent close to 100 years building furniture in Bennington, Vermont. The company began by building coat racks, pencil boxes, hat hangers, and more, but soon became well known for their furniture.

The business was sold to General Industries in 1964 by Hall W. Cushman, the third generation of the Cushman family to manage the business. In 1971 the facility was sold to Green Mountain Furniture Co, which subsequently went out of business in 1980.

Even though the H.T. Cushman company is no longer producing furniture, their impact on the legacy of furniture craftsmanship in Vermont is clear.

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7 of the Best Architects in Vermont

August 13, 2019August 16, 2021 Riley Farabaugh

Last updated on August 16th, 2021 at 12:52 pm

Interior Designer in Southern Vermont | Priscilla Cotton — Meet Southern Vermont’s favorite interior designer, Priscilla Cotton of Cotton Design in Newfane

We’ve often written about the rich history of craftsmanship in Vermont, but did you know this small state is also full of great architects, builders, and interior designers? Some of them even build furniture. In fact, there are many more that deserve to make this list.

Here’s a list of our favorite Vermont architects:

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What is Boiled Linseed Oil?

August 12, 2019September 17, 2019 Riley Farabaugh

Last updated on September 17th, 2019 at 09:02 am

Linseed oil, also known as flaxseed oil, is one of the most popular wood finishes in the world. Like other hand-rubbed oil finishes, linseed oil saturates deep into the wood grain to protect against scratches and changes in humidity. It is easy to care for, eco-friendly, and produces a satin finish that really brings out the color and grain of the wood underneath.

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What Ever Happened to Manchester Wood?

July 27, 2019July 27, 2019 Riley Farabaugh 1 Comment

Manchester Wood was founded in 1976 and spent 42 years manufacturing solid wood furniture in the state of Vermont. At its peak, the company was generating $8-12 million per year in revenue and employed close to 200 people.

The founder, Clifford “Cliff” Pierce, built Manchester Wood into a multi-million dollar business by selling in bulk to retailers across the country. He had over 300 wholesale clients including LL Bean, Crate & Barrel, JC Penney, Sears, Pottery Barn, Macy’s, and more.

The business was known for building high-quality, solid wood furniture. The most popular products were mission style bookcases and sofa tables, adirondack chairs, and folding desks and tray tables. It was a multi-generation family business.

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What Ever Happened to Vermont Tubbs Furniture?

July 4, 2019December 6, 2022 Riley Farabaugh 2 Comments

Last updated on December 6th, 2022 at 03:00 pm

Vermont Tubbs signage on wood bed dated 2002 — Vermont Tubbs signage on an ash wood bed signed by Lewis in 2002 (Image Source)

Vermont Tubbs was founded in 1840 and spent close to 170 years manufacturing wood furniture in Brandon, VT. In the early 2000’s, the company was generating an estimated $16 million per year and employed 250+ people, but it was struggling to turn a profit.

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