I’m not an artist. At best, I’m an artisan. Anything that I make will likely serve some sort of practical purpose. Case in point, I love photography. I have a trusty Canon DSLR and loads of editing software; I contemplate light, space, expression, angles, depth, colours and motion. I work on improving ‘my eye’. I’m passionate about it. I try to capture moments that are interesting enough to frame, mount and/or feature on a wall. I’m not necessarily trying to say anything with ‘the piece’. It’s not even ‘a piece’. The photograph may look good or even great and it might be a light conversation piece but, subjectively speaking, it’s not art. It’s a crafted still moment; the result of a process that I’m passionate about.
So what’s the difference between an artist and an artisan? I’m sure that I don’t really know, but if I ponder what generally constitutes art and what is usually designated craft then I can tell you that I recently met someone that absolutely blurs the lines between artist and artisan; I’m convinced that he is both. I’m talking about Gerald Reinink (Sales and Administration) and the team at …
Our journey into the world of custom made furniture began a few weeks ago with a quick Google search followed by a conversation with Anthony Poto of Homelife Regional Realty Ltd. I told him about HD Threshing and he urged us to visit because he had referred other clients in the past and received a lot of positive feedback. By the way, if you’re interested in residential or commercial real estate, or if you need a trustworthy, hard working agent with your best interest in mind and/or if you want to build your network of business associates, vendors or suppliers of almost any kind, Anthony is your man.
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So we fired up the GPS and before long we were in Cambridge, Ontario checking out their showrooms. #Wow! If you haven’t been to HD Threshing, you are missing out on an exceptional shopping experience! Not that I have a problem with shopping. I don’t really shop. I inspect. You can use that.
As it turns out, HD Threshing Floor Furniture is the #1 provider of reclaimed wood in Ontario. The How We Build page on their website states ‘A remarkable piece of furniture starts with remarkable raw material”. I couldn’t agree more. Threshing floor boards are obtained from century old pioneer barns. The heavily distressed and worn wood is acquired in order to build the tops of all of their furniture. Each board is unique and rich in colour, grain pattern and character. Other parts of the furniture are constructed using grainery boards as they also possess original distressing. They are also the very first to introduce the leap of epoxy + polyurethane finishes on reclaimed wood surfaces. The finished results are absolutely stunning.
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[span class=”font-size-16″]Be sure to check out the Before and After pictures below! [cspan] [span class=”font-size-24″]
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After perusing the showrooms replete with dining tables, coffee tables, hutches, buffets, benches and chairs followed by a walk-through of the finishing rooms and Gerald patiently answering our bazillion questions about size, colour, styles, types of barn wood, the finishing process, timelines and delivery (even adjusting the light level in the showroom to demonstrate the effects that pot light vs. dim/soft light has on the finish) we were sold. We left happy and satisfied that we’d made the right choice. A couple of Timmies later and we were back at home checking off another milestone on the Beach House Renovation project plan.
Last week Gerald emailed progress pictures of one of the dining tables that we ordered (we ordered two – one for home and one for the beach house); the ‘Saw Buck’ for home is 6 ft. long x 4 ft. wide. The Saw Buck table for the beach house is 10 ft. long x 4 ft. wide and should seat 12-14 people! Both are Hemlock with minimal sanding – the finishing process will bring out the natural grain, knots and worm hole. Check out the progress picture of the smaller table below. It’s constructed and about to go through the finishing process. Sending clients progress pictures is a value add indeed. Nice touch HD! The second and third pictures are examples of what it will look like when it’s done.
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All of the pictures above were supplied by, and are owned by HD Threshing Floor Furniture.
Their flexible build and delivery schedule is making the experience even better than we could have hoped for as well. We needed to push back the delivery of the larger table (and a few other items) due to a slight delay in our renovation schedule and he was happy to accommodate. Excellent price points, personalized service and flexibility – what more could we ask for? Speaking of price points, we’ve looked around … and we don’t think that anyone can beat HD’s pricing, quality standards or service level … not even close.
If you’re interested in purchasing your own customized reclaimed barn wood furniture for your home, getaway or office (the boardroom tables are amazing!), I highly recommend visiting HD Threshing Floor Furniture. Tell ‘em Roy sent you.
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[span class=”font-size-16OUR”]Are you an artist or artisan? Are you interested in reclaimed barn wood? [cspan] [span class=”font-size-24″]
Tell us in the comments section below!
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As always, thanks for reading! See you again soon.
Roy Perreault
Operations Manager | Your Money Matters
Your Money Matters Inc. is a dynamic franchise office of The Mortgage Centre; Canada’s most established mortgage brokerage network. We are an award winning mortgage brokerage! The Mortgage Centre Canada (MCC) Executive’s Club award has been awarded to Your Money Matters 3 years in a row; an exclusive sales achievement designation that confirms and celebrates our unwavering commitment to providing the highest levels of client and mortgage brokerage services. Please contact us today to discuss your mortgage financing, refinancing or mortgage renewal needs.
I have never purchased custom funiture .. but my parents did as we had a large family they had a custom made dining room table … It was the biggest I had ever seen … it was made of birds eye maple by a fellow in workworth .. I wish I had this table today or even a pictire of it so I could have it made again
Hi Kimberlee,
Birds Eye Maple is gorgeous. Hemlock (what we ordered) and pine are great too. When you’re in the market again, talk to Gerald. Have a look at his work and talk to him about your design ideas. Good luck!
No I have never purchased customized furniture. Can’t afford it right now. #Whatwouldyoubuild? If I could afford it, I’d love a customized desk!
Hi Kayla! Great idea! There are desks posted on HD’s site. I’m keeping this in mind too. 🙂
Although I have never purchased customized furniture I hope to do so in the future. I absolutely love the pieces they show on this website. The fact that they use reclaimed wood makes it even more interesting and one of a kind piece.
Hi Catherine! That’s just it … it’s one of a kind! Love that. Thanks for commenting!
We haven’t purchased any custom furniture ourselves, but we had inherited a custom table from my inlaws which they had built for them by a local craftsman over 50 years ago, for their growing family. We had this solid round table in our kitchen for many years, before replacing it when we redid our kitchen. The table now is in my nephew’s and future niece’s home. A good solid piece will serve many generations!
Hi Sylvia! A handmade piece handed down through the family, soon to be an antique! Amazing!
i haven’t purchased any custom furniture as of yet, but we are looking to in the near future!
If we can help Jenn75ish, please let us know!
I have never bought customized furniture but my mother does and it is beautiful. I would if my finances were better
I have purchased custom furniture before. It was a writing desk, made from pine I believe. It’s such a gorgeous piece and very sturdy too. It was a lovely experience as the carpenter was super friendly and worked with us to design and build it.
I’ve never purchased custom furniture before. After we buy a home that would likely be our next step.
I have not purchased any customized furniture as of yet, although I have always aspired to. LOVE reclaimed items!
No, I have purchased customized furniture, but I would definitely consider it! I do remember having many custominzed items given to us when I was growing up though….a beautiful handmade captins bed, large rocking horse, desks and even a two-story custom-built cabin. They were very uniquie & greatly cherished 🙂
Hi Autumn! It all sounds beautiful, but having a two-story cabin must have been GREAT as a kid! The wheels are turning on this end now … 🙂
No I have never purchased custom furniture before but I love the look of all natural wood products
I have never purchased custom furniture, but plan on it in the near future. I am short and need a new office chair 🙂
I once had a customized mirror made. The frame was made out of barn board wood.I handed it down to my daughter.
I have never purchases custom furniture but it’s funny I have just been thinking of it! We are installing hardwood floors and I would love to get a new dining room set. I want a table that the leafs fold under it but I have a feeling after paying for the floors the table will have to wait.
I have had custom furniture pieces, I had a set of end tables made out of pieces of old tree trunk (gave away as too big for my new place). There were strong, beautiful and unique. Worth every penny!! I am saving up to have a custom entrance way piece made right now 😀
I somehow do not place furniture on the top of my list when selecting a home or redocorating a home. I spend money on the building material, the kitchen and bathroom materials. To me, furniture is not really investible? Is that weird? lol
Hi Ka! We don’t think that’s weird at all! It can depreciate, for sure. Our goal is to invest in furniture that will withstand the test of time and be functional. When investing in reclaimed barn wood you’re reducing footprint as well so even in some small way it’s an investment into the future. It all depends on perspective 🙂 You can read more about our renovation project here http://www.yourmoneymattersinc.ca/2014/09/7-reasons-diy/ where we discuss investing in the right building material too. Thank you for your comments!
I have never purchased customized furniture, but I am fortunate to own an amazing piece through marriage….we have the most amazing wooden table, made from the floorboards of a Quebec church. It has so much character and is so lovely to behold. And how cool is it to say that you are eating off of the floor every evening? Hail Mary! 🙂
Funny! 🙂 I’m sure your table is beautiful. We’re curious, how did you sort out what chairs to get?
No I have not yet purchased customized furnitures. Although I would love it, they are just a bit too expensive right now. However, I do hope to look into purchasing a desk one day!
No, I have never bought customized furniture. Maybe one day!
I have never purchased custome made furniture, but maybe one day I might do so! I would love to have a custome made diningroom set as I have a large family, it gets pretty crouded at Special occasions!
Hi Donna! We know exactly what you mean! When one side of our immediate family gathers there are 14 total! Hence the 10 ft. table 🙂 Now we need to find chairs … !
Maryam Iqbal Never have purchased customized furniture, cannot afford it. But i would love to get color block themed furniture if i had the money.
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I am an artisan and love painting on reclaimed wood. I haven’t purchased customized furniture, would I do love it.
I have never purchased customized furniture but am hoping to in the near future!
No, I haven’t
Never purchased customized furniture
We had our coffee table built from oak when we first moved out into condo years ago. I’d love to do a dinning table. My in-laws are contemplating a round table but want to fit at least 12 on it so room can be issue. #Whatdidyoubuild #Whatwouldyoubuild
A round table for 10 would be huge…and no doubt amazing to behold! HD Threshing makes large, round Lazy Susans’ too. You might want to look into that as an option. Good luck to your in-laws!
We did have a coffee table built for us when we first moved on our own years ago. it’s timeless out of oak. I would like a dinning table too #Whatdidyoubuild? #Whatwouldyoubuild?
How is the oak holding up for you, Maria?
We had a console table made out of a reclaimed piece of old cherry wood, hole and all. Then they added steel legs. It is one of my favourite pieces in our home. Love shopping for unique pieces.
Hi Elizabeth! Modern and rustic, yes? We’ve seen a few really nice pieces that married the two styles – very nice!
I have never purchased customized furniture, but I do hope to in the future, #Whatwouldyoubuild? i would really love a customized dining table!
No I haven’t but may in the future!
No I have not bought one yet but I would love to buy a customized hutch one day.
Hi Nicole! Please visit our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Mortgage-Centre-Your-Money-Matters-Inc/432620193448223
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No, I never have but hopefully one day….a dining room table.
I have never purchased customized furniture but would definitely consider it in the future. Love the pieces made by this company. The kitchen islands are awesome & unique. Would love a customized island in my future home!
🙂 A baker’s counter on the island would be great too!
No, I haven’t purchased customized furniture.
I have never purchased customized furniture. Not something I have thought of doing.
I have never bought customized furniture before but I would like to buy a customized office desk someday.
No I have never purchased customized furniture,but an island in the kitchen would be awesome!
Hi Jeff! Did you see the island on the HD website? Amazing! I have my eye on that as well.
Have a great day!
Roy Perreault
I have never purchsed customized furniture before butIits definitely something I would consider doing once I move into a bigger house
Yes I have, a custom made rocking chair which I am sitting in and enjoying right now!!
Yes, we ordered custom sofas, they look great, are very comfy, and solid
Hi Renee V. Do you mind if we ask where you ordered from? Are they local; in Ontario?
i have never bought custom furniture yet, but i would really love to get a dining room table one day 🙂
Ours just arrived…it’s beautiful and sturdy. It should last about 20-30 years!
yes we had a couch and a bedroom set. Loved the couch extremely sturdy, bed fame on bed cracked not long after we got it.
Oh no! What type of wood Chandra?
my husband works for a large furniture manufacturer so I’ve been lucky and have been able to have him tweek or change things after we purchase our furniture. I’ve never bought full out custom though.
I have never bought customized furniture but my best friend does all the time and she refinishes and sells it from her home. Very inspiring.
No, I have never purchased customized furniture.
I have never purchased customized furniture. #Whatwouldyoubuild? I would love a dining room table that could be from reclaimed wood and could be passed down in the family.
No, we have never bought customized furniture. ..maybe one day♡♡
I am an artistan and I am interested in Reclaimed barn wood. #Whatdidyoubuild #Whatwouldyoubuild I will be purchasing my first piece of real wood next week!! Can’t wait!
we got our couch customized, but we did not have to pay for it (MIL won a g/c to the store) but that is the most customized we have ever gotten
No, I have never bought a customized piece of furniture but would love to some day
I purchased custom made furniture about 30 years ago. A pine cannonball bedroom set with night tables and dresser and just sold it last year.
Haven’t bought customized furniture yet but will in the near future.
I have purchased a customized piece of furniture before and loved the experience. Would love to do so again in the future.
Closest I have come is reupholstering my couch! this is def on the to do list
I have not purchased any customized furniture ,im interested and have been looking for a nice type style corner cabnet to store all of my very old collectables .
I have purchased customized furniture and enjoyed the experience.
I haven’t purchased custom-made furniture yet, but am very interested now. I’m just starting to invest in good furniture so am definitely considering custom-made. Thanks a bunch!