The Uniqueness of Log and Rustic Furniture

No two logs from a forest are exactly the same. (Photo by Greenpeace Finland)

“Nature abhors straight lines,” said 18th-century English architect William Kent. This quote perfectly describes why log and rustic furniture is so appealing because it is so unique in its design.

When you shop for furniture (or any manufactured items for that matter) at a big-box store, you will likely be getting items that were made on a manufacturing line in an industrial warehouse somewhere in the world. We all own furniture like this, and there is nothing wrong with it. However, in terms of its design, it pales in comparison to the natural look of log furniture since it is perfectly put together in a way that each piece looks exactly the same.

Many log furniture designers make their pieces from natural logs that they obtain from forests themselves. In turn, they keep the bark on the logs and leave the knots in them when completing a final project. For instance, a log table may include knots and curvy lines that appear a bit grotesque and, in some instances, completely odd at first glance. However, the designers deliberately leave this character in the wood to make it as unique as they can. Log chairs, sofas, and other pieces on which people can sit are obviously made in a way that stresses comfort. But in the legs of a chair, for example, a woodworker may keep the sturdy knots in place to help support the seat while maintaining the uniqueness and beauty of the logs that were used to create it.

Another reason log furniture is so unique is that many logs used to make it contain original beetle tracks and chew marks from animals in the wild. Have you ever seen a log with a chew mark from elk in it? If so, you know it is twisted and bent where the mark appears on it. A log that has been a part of nature for a while has plenty of character to it, especially if it comes from an environment in which pesky critters have roamed the area and have put their own stamp on it. However, these are the best kinds of logs and demonstrate how no two logs from such an environment are exactly the same, much like no two snowflakes are the identical.

If you are looking to add some of this incredibly unique rustic furniture to your home or log cabin, be sure to use the premier resource for information on it – LogFurniture.com. There are lots of pieces that are very affordable for individuals with limited budgets. It’s hard to put a price tag on furniture that comes right out of a forest, but anyone can own these pieces.

Company Profile: Kate Cunningham Company

An item produced by Kate Cunningham (Photo by Kate Cunningham)

Kate Cunningham Company is a log furniture company that does business in California, Tennessee, and New Jersey. It has been around for over 10 years. Named after the company’s principal owner, it primarily specializes in making tree stump tables from reclaimed and felled wood. Click over to www.katecunninghamcompany.com for more details.

Q&A WITH KATE CUNNINGHAM:

What kinds of log furniture does your company manufacture and/or sell?

We primarily make and sell tree stump tables that range in size from 10”-40” in diameter x 14”-29” in height.

How much do your pieces of furniture cost?

The prices are competitive compared to other companies. Contact the company by e-mail for pricing information.

What are the most popular kinds of log furniture?

Tree stump tables

Briefly describe how you make a piece of log furniture.

We salvage a cut tree and cure the logs for a minimum of one and one-half to four years. Then we de-bark, level, sand smooth, and custom finish the logs with low v.o.c. and eco-friendly sealers. We then stain and wax it.

What specific kinds of wood does your company use to make log furniture?

We use all types of wood species.

Is there anything else you would like to share about your company?

The mission of Kate Cunningham Company is to create custom tree stump tables for the interior environment using organic, reclaimed materials. Product integrity and exceptional service to each client are our highest considerations. We service the high-end market of interior designers, architectural and design firms, which includes hospitality and high-end retail outlets.

How did you get into making log furniture?

I have a love for trees and a bent for craftsmanship.

Accessory items to complement log furniture

A pencil holder (Photo by Cinder’s)

Log furniture goes well with all kinds of different accessory items that are commonly found throughout a home or log cabin. These are some of the most popular types of items available in rustic, western, and uniquely artistic styles:

Ornamental vases – You can outfit your home with one or more beautiful ornamental vases. A vase is the perfect addition to an entryway or a living room where visitors can see it. Purchase a pre-designed vase or make your own. Artistic design is a major part of creating a vase, and by adding natural images like trees or wildlife to it, a vase can fit in perfectly with rustic furniture like log sofas, tables, and chairs.

Picture frames – How cool would it be to surround a family picture with a rustic picture frame? Doing so adds a lot of character to the picture and the wall on which it hangs. Rustic picture frames can be made with wood or small twigs, and there are plenty of custom designs you can implement to make the frame really stand out. A rustic picture frame is perfect for pictures of nature or perhaps a family picture taken outside a forest, on a farm, or on a ranch.

Pen/pencil holders – Store all of your writing tools in a western-looking pen or pencil holder. These holders, some of which are made of wood or twigs, can make a desk in an office light up, especially if you have a log desk and chair to go along with them. These holders serve as cups in which they hold lots of items or contain individual holes for each writing tool you use. Bring a little rustic history back by using a quill pen with the holder!

Napkin/tissue holders – Store your napkins and tissues in a rustic holder. Imagine sitting down at your rustic dining table and sitting in your rustic chair. Then you look at the center of the table and see one of these holders containing the material you need to keep yourself clean and enjoy a nice meal with family and friends.

Mouse pads – You may not think a computer mouse pad has anything to do with log furniture, but think again. Rustic mouse pads offer a natural feel. When using a piece of modern technology like a PC, you can enjoy some old-fashioned western designs by using a mouse pad with a variety of layouts. Whether you want a pad with images of a deer, elk, or horse on it, you can find it. If you’re thinking of something more environmental like trees or a river, mouse pads are available with almost any design imaginable. Using a rustic mouse pad on a log desk is a great combination as well.

For more information on log furniture and other rustic accessories to add to your furnishings, use LogFurniture.com as your premier resource for details on this topic.

Company Profile: Tahoe Log Works

A log bed (Photo courtesy of tahoelogworks.com)

Tahoe Log Works is a log furniture company based in South Lake Tahoe, California that combines art with wood to make unique furniture. The company is owned by Peter Truszewski with help from his wife Monique. It has been in business for over 20 years. For more information on Tahoe Log Works, visit www.tahoelogworks.com.

Q&A WITH PETER TRUSZEWSKI, OWNER/BUILDER

What kinds of log furniture does your company manufacture and/or sell?

We sell one-of-a-kind pieces designed for specific spaces in our customers’ homes.

How much do your pieces of furniture cost?

In general, they cost more than furniture made on production lines. But they are less than gallery prices.

What are the most popular kinds of log furniture?

Benches

Briefly describe how you make a piece of log furniture.

We try to design a piece like a functional sculpture. We then compliment the material we use in the process of making it.

What specific kinds of wood does your company use to make log furniture?

We use lodgepole pine, Jeffrey pine, cedar, and juniper wood.

How did you get into making log furniture?

I was trying to make money and decided to invent a unique look for ordinary objects.

What’s the craziest custom request you’ve had for furniture?

Someone wanted a 40-foot tall of a Tahoe Relief totem pole from dead-standing Jeffrey old post pine on the Lake Tahoe shore.

What kinds of log furniture do you enjoy making most?

I like making ones that don’t look like any others that have been made before.

Is there anything else you would like to share about your company?

I’m a sculptor who started making furniture and log accents, staircases, banisters, and occasionally wildlife carvings. I’m always trying to combine the best look with function.

Book Review: Woodworking Basics: Mastering the Essentials of Craftsmanship

Learn about woodworking tools like these in this book. (Photo by Ktow)

Have you ever thought about wanting to teach yourself how to work with wood and make your own nifty creations? If so, there is a book you should definitely check out.

Woodworking Basics: Mastering the Essentials of Craftsmanship is a fantastic book that will teach you all about woodworking and the tools you need to master the craftsmanship of beautiful, unique items. Written by Peter Korn, this 208-page paperback was published by Taunton Press and released to the pubic on October 1, 2003.

This book is based on a two-week course on the fundamentals of woodworking that is frequently offered at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Camden, Maine. The text takes a very simplistic and easy-to-understand approach to the concepts of learning the basic skills is needed to crafting furniture and other home décor items from wood. The book goes through a variety of relevant subjects that include working with tools, cutting dovetails, and two fully explained projects on how to build a bench and a set of small cabinets. Benches are one of the most popular types of rustic wood and log furniture. They offer a unique place to rest and enjoy some friendly conversation with guests or family and friends.  Cabinets can be used to store all kinds of things, and if you make them small enough, they can be placed in almost any room in your home or log cabin. That is why both of these items are discussed in-depth in this book.

One of the appealing things about the book is that it talks about which tools are really necessary for woodworking and which tools you can really do without. Some of the tools suggested include used hand planes, chisels, Ryobas, and waterstones. These tools are much cheaper than those like jointers, planers, routers, and table saws. Because of this, the book will help you save money on the items you’ll have to invest in. But in the end, you should get a greater return on your investment by using inexpensive tools that work just as well.

Author Peter Korn has written several books on the subject of woodworking. Some of his other titles are Working with Wood: The Basics of Craftsmanship (1993) and The Woodworker’s Guide to Hand Tools (1998). They are all similar in how they are written so that anyone can pick them up and understand them. Plus they are all reasonably priced so that you won’t be breaking your budget when wanting to learn a new craft for a hobby or a potential full-time job as a woodworker.

Be sure to use LogFurniture.com as your premier resource for information on log furniture and woodworking as well as which books and resources to look at like the one discussed here.

Country Profile: Southwest Country

Southwest Country makes wood beds like this one. (Photo courtesy of swcountry.com)

Southwest Country is a leading designer and manufacturer of country style furniture and décor. They sell all types of furniture for home and office use. Based in the Camarillo area of Thousand Oaks, California, the company is managed by Fred Fuchs. It first opened in 1986 and currently has two employees who work for Fuchs. Visit www.swcountry.com or www.cowboyindian.com for further information.

Q&A WITH FRED FUCHS:

What kinds of items does your company sell?

We sell most items of the western styles. We sell log furniture and make furniture out of Eucalyptus and juniper logs. Most of it is made of lodge pole and pine pole logs, it’s easier to work with and you can mass-produce it more.

What kinds of wood does your company use?
We use alder wood and pine. Pine has nuts and has more rustic look.

How did you get into this business?

My business partner at the time owed me money, so I decided to go into business with him to get it back, even though I’m an engineer. He asked me to design a system for his company, so I became partners with him.

How much do your items typically cost?

Our prices are low and competitive. We charge $250 for a one-drawer nightstand, and for a three-drawer one we charge $350. A small desk goes for about $480. The prices obviously go up for larger items.

What are your most popular items?

Log beds are the most popular. A regular log bed is about $845.

Briefly describe how you make a piece of log furniture.

Log furniture is not easy to work with. It’s not straight, and every piece has to be made individually. A newbie might need a diagram of what you want to make. We take a log and bend it and let it rest there until it becomes the shape we want. Then we use the lodge poles and certain methods to put it together. A log bed takes about a week to 10 days to make.

What kinds of items do you enjoy making most?

We like making lodge pole furniture. It’s a specialty. It has to be one piece at a time. We also like to make lines of western distressed furniture from old barns, fences, and houses.

What kinds of crazy or oddball requests have you had for furniture items?

We’ve been involved with some of the Los Angeles Lakers players and have done “upscale” items for them. We have made much larger beds to accommodate them. We’ve also made chairs and tables for them that are much larger.

Best Wild West Ranches in the U.S.

A horse ranch (Photo by Correa Carvalho)

Ranch life is like nothing else. Living in a rural environment away from the everyday noise and stresses of city life can be an extremely relaxing way to enjoy life. Even if you rent a log cabin on a ranch for a few weeks or months, it will be one of the best getaways you will ever experience.

According to a recent story on FoxNews.com, the following list consists of some of the best “wild west” ranches in the United States:

THE ALISAL GUEST RANCH & RESORT
Solvang, California

This ranch offers 10,000 acres of grazing fields, canyons, and hills.
It’s a working cattle ranch that goes all the way back to the 1800s. It currently houses about 100 horses and was once the home of former Kentucky Derby winner Flying Ebony. Horseback riding lessons, golf, tennis, and bass fishing are among the many fun activities available here. The resorts contain lots of rustic and log furniture items for your enjoyment.

SOUTHERN CROSS GUEST RANCH
Madison, Georgia

This equestrian ranch offers a “wild west” feel despite the fact that it’s in the southeastern U.S. It is home to more than 150 horses, many of which guests can ride. With lots of open pastures and wooded trails, the ranch offers a comfortable and rustic spot for vacationers looking to just sit back and enjoy nature. It’s only about an hour outside of Atlanta.

RED HORSE MOUNTAIN RANCH
Harrison, Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

This 300,000-acre ranch is located in the beautiful state of Idaho. Guests can enjoy riding through trails and exploring the western wilderness with plenty of elk to keep you company. The accommodations here include log cabins and fancy suites for western lovers. They are furnished with rustic log furniture, covered porches, and outside decks. If you aren’t into riding horses, you can fish, play archery, or have some fun riding a zip line.

BRASADA RANCH
Powell, Butte, Oregon

Located in the high desert of central Oregon, this quaint 1,800-acre retreat offers Juniper trees, private lakes, a tricky golf course, and plenty of sunshine throughout the year. The lodge and cabins here are casual yet elegant and include rustic furniture to make the experience as western as possible. From horseback riding to fly-fishing, there is an activity for everyone to enjoy. If you just want to sit around a campfire at night and enjoy the stars, you can do that, too. Oregon is one of the most picturesque states in the country, and a trip to this ranch will capture many of those images for you.

Company Profile: Wood In Art

Mark Davidson and his log railing. (Photo by woodinart.com)

Wood In Art is a log furniture company based out of Thousand Oaks, California. It is owned and operated by Mark Davidson and was originally established in 2000 under a different name before becoming Wood In Art in 2011. To find out more about the company, visit www.woodinart.com.

Q&A WITH MARK DAVIDSON:

What kinds of log furniture does your company manufacture and/or sell?

We do everything from business card holders to custom log items. Most of our work is custom-ordered. We make bedroom furniture, dining room furniture, living room furniture, picnic furniture – just about everything under the sun.

How much do your pieces of furniture cost?

I consider myself to be more of an artist than a furniture builder. Because of this, our prices are anywhere from $30 for a small item up to several thousands of dollars. A king-size bed frame is about $1,200-$1,500. For what it is, the prices are very comparable to other companies.

What are the most popular kinds of log furniture?

Log benches, bed frames, dining tables, and dressers

Briefly describe how you make a piece of log furniture.

We first discuss with the client client to see if they want it artistic or more generic.. We look for specific logs for their desires. We cut the wood, start building, and create the finished product. We primarily used the mortise and tenon method. We finish the items with different oils. A king-size bed takes about a week and a half or two weeks to make.

What specific kinds of wood does your company use to make log furniture?

Aspen logs, walnut, pine, and other hardwoods are pretty common for us. Aspen is really unique looking and makes great log railings and chairs.

How did you get into making log furniture?

I’m an artist by nature but a musician first. I just started working for myself and got a chainsaw and started making stuff. I worked as a lift mechanic for years but had another calling.

What’s the craziest custom request you’ve had for furniture?

One guy wanted a two-piece chair that was copied from a design from Africa. I’ve also made some pretty creative log railings.

What kinds of log furniture do you enjoy making most?

I like making thrones – large chairs. These are my showstopper pieces. People are blown away when they see them. Also, recently I have been using cowhide and for some of the furniture and want to use that more in the future.

Book Review: How to Build Your Own Bentwood Chair: A Guide to Building and Selling Rustic Furniture

Learn how to build a log bench like this one by reading this book. (Photo by Photo Atelier)

Have you ever thought about building your own log chair or other types of rustic furniture? There is an extremely informative book you might want to check out for step-by-step instructions on how to do this. This article takes a closer look at the book titled How to Build Your Own Bentwood Chair: A Guide to Building and Selling Rustic Furniture by Wallace Eadie.

Published by Universe.com Publishing on May 10, 2011, this 84-page book offers an introduction to the process of manually handcrafting log and rustic furniture. If you want to give it the old college try as a hobby, the book offers information on how to do that. If you’ve considered getting into the business and want assistance on how to do this as a full-time gig, there is info on that in the book as well.

The book discusses easy and cheap ways to collect materials and tools that are necessary to set up a home workshop. The main focus of the building process centers on how to build a bentwood log chair. However, there are plenty of tips on ways to construct other types of furniture for both indoor and outdoor use. These other items include love seats, plant stands, benches, beds, and garden furniture. The images and graphics in the book make each process easy to follow no matter how much experience you have. There are also two chapters in the book entirely devoted to informing readers about how to make money selling log furniture and the most effective methods necessary to market yourself and your items. If you want to do this on the side or make a full-time job out of it, this book will give you the information and encouragement to put yourself on a self-employed track to success in this unique business.

Wallace Eadie, the author of the book, previously worked for several years as a Probation Officer in Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada. He started making rustic furniture as a hobby on the side, but his interest in it grew and it later led to a full-time career for him. He now has over 16 years of log furniture making experience, and he also teaches classes on it to beginners wanting to learn the processes involved. Many of his creations are now on display in hotels, ski resorts, and private homes all across western Canada.

Books are a terrific source of information, especially when it comes to how to build your own log furniture essentially from scratch. This book is no exception. But there are also lots of online resources to help you even more when searching for information on log and rustic furniture. Be sure to use LogFurniture.com as a one-stop shop for info on everything related to furniture and accessories made from natural logs and wood materials.

Company Profile: Woodlife Pine Lumber Sales

A rustic mantel designed by the company (Photo courtesy of www.woodlifepine.com)

Woodlife Pine Lumber Sales is a company that supplies rustic mantels and other types of log furniture that are made from reclaimed and recycled wood. Based in Prescott, Arizona, the company has been in business for over 28 years and currently has three primary contractors who work for Joe Agosta, the owner of the company. To learn more about Woodlife Pine Lumber Sales, visit www.woodlifepine.com.

Q&A WITH JOE AGOSTA:

What kinds of items does your company manufacture and/or sell?

We have a niche market and we do a lot of work on log cabins. We also make handrails, furniture – almost any kind of furniture – mantels, and doors. We don’t make cabinets.

How much do your pieces of furniture cost?

We don’t have a lot of set prices, but in general, we charge $65 an hour plus the cost of materials.

What are the most popular kinds of items you make?

Doors, moldings, and fireplace mantels are the most popular. We also get a lot of work on log cabins.

Briefly describe how you make an item.

We size an item, cut it, and then use methods like mortise and tenon to put the piece of furniture together. It’s a pretty labor-intensive process.

What specific kinds of wood does your company use to make log furniture?

We use just about anything except exotic wood. We use domestic hardwoods and pines, mesquite, and juniper. We pick up some wood ourselves, but we have different suppliers we get it form.

How did you get into this business?

I did some construction work when I was younger. My father was an industrial arts teacher. I’ve always been building things.

What’s the craziest custom request you’ve had for furniture?

We get oddball requests all the time. Someone asked for long, thin, 28-foot poles. A lot of it is unrealistic stuff that we just can’t physically make.

What kinds of log furniture do you enjoy making most?

I like making just about anything out of wood.