reclaimed lumber

Ragged Edge Cedar Counter

by Prairie Bench0

The ragged edge cedar counter was a project to use up some leftover barn wood found in an old shed. The slats are trimmed to approx. 5″ wide. Then the boards were glued and clamped together side by side, while staggering the length of each. Then the end of the glued material was trimmed at 45° and glued to form a square edge. The matching wood grain aligns to give the appearance of wood folded to make a counter.

Clamping was a trick and several spring clamps were used to maintain an even line at the join. Vertical slat cedar with angle supports complete the farm look. No nails or screws are used. The piece is unfinshed, with only a light sand to remove slivers.

The ragged edge cedar counter is unnumbered and designed as an experiment to highlight the rustic appeal of an old fence or barn wall, knot holes included.

Natural Spruce Empire Stool

by Prairie Bench0

This is a traditional empire stool which was designed for travel on long journeys. We’ve used reclaimed spruce planks, complete with scratches, and drill marks plugged with ash dowels. There are no nails or screws, in fact no metal is used in the design. The seat is pegged to the frame with hemlock dowels. A cubby connects the frame and adds lateral support. Hand grips are ground out on the underside of the seat. The finish is polyurethane. No stain is used.

These chairs are great accents in a hall or bedroom and can often be found with a few clothes or jackets resting on top.

The finished size is 21″x15″ and stands 18″ tall. #07-29-18  Click on images to expand.

Glass and Spruce Sand Table

by Prairie Bench0

prairie bench glass sand table 5  prairie bench glass sand table 2

This project all started with a large sheet of beveled glass we found at a garage sale. The vision was a glass topped bistro table that would become a fun entertainment area on a patio or in a lounge.

Four randomly sized moon footstools complete the arrangement.

The table is approximately 32″ x 32″ and just over coffee table height, about 25″ tall. The frame and wood slats are all reclaimed spruce and stained in our Storybook dark walnut. The main box contains an interior shelf and a trap door. The glass top and frame are hinged to lift up and expose the display inside.

Sand, collectibles, flower arrangements, dishes, or memorabilia display beneath the glass surface. The framed glass lifts on a piano hinge to arrange the display. This is a prototype design and we are quite pleased with the result.

prairie bench glass sand table 6

prairie bench glass sand table1

prairie bench glass sand table 4

 

Storyteller Chair

by Prairie Bench0

The Storyteller Chair is an original, whimsical design from Prairie Bench. The chair frame is constructed of reclaimed fir timbers, while the seat and back are from a hundred and fifty year old Sitka Spruce salvaged from the Fraser River by Port Coquitlam tug operator and avid reader, Norbert Kaysser. Styled by artist and writer B. Lewis to accent the grain and tone, it’s the wood that chose the unique shape. The wide arms and frame invite an audience and focus attention on the storyteller. The seat and back have a fun lop-sided appeal reminiscent of Dr. Seuss or Alice in Wonderland. As a Prairie Bench design, lots of consideration and affirmation were incorporated into the construction: grain energy and direction emanate from the storyteller; scribed notes for imagination, wonder, vision and understanding are sealed in the workmanship. The Storyteller Chair is ergonomic and comfortable with a hand carved seat, smooth lines, and interesting scrapes and knot holes that might appear after centuries of dragons, forest creatures, and adventure. Now it’s time to settle into a tale and add your history to the chair.

The Storyteller Chair is a one of kind original from Prairie Bench, signed and numbered by the designer and finished in rosewood oil so you’ll always touch the wood.

 

 

Storyteller Chair: letting the finish cure naturally.

 

33-BL-11-11 Sold.
48″h x 42″w x 30″d – approximate dimensions