The Art of Finishing Reclaimed Wood: A Personal Touch from Our Workshop
At Furniture From The Barn, we believe the finishing process is where each piece truly comes to life, revealing the unique character and history of reclaimed wood. Let me walk you through our thoughtful, collaborative finishing process that ensures each piece perfectly matches your vision.
Communication is Key
When your custom piece enters our finishing shop, we begin a personalized journey together. We'll send you photos or videos of your unfinished piece, and we love receiving pictures of your space in return – especially your flooring, as it helps us create the perfect complementary finish.
Understanding Wood's Unique Personality
No two pieces of reclaimed wood are identical, which is what makes our furniture so special. The variation in color and character tells the story of the wood's previous life, creating truly one-of-a-kind pieces. We work with primarily two types of wood:
Reclaimed Pine
- Old-growth pine requires special attention as it tends to absorb stain deeply and will go dark fast
- We typically start with diluted stains to control the natural amber and red tones
- Custom "special sauce" mixtures we've developed over the years help achieve desired warm tones while minimizing red and orange undertones for customers who prefer cooler finishes
Reclaimed Oak
- Takes stain beautifully and predictably
- Rarely requires dilution
- Can be customized for warmer or cooler tones based on your preference
Our Collaborative Process
- Initial consultation and wood assessment - we text the customer with a video or picture of their piece
- Ask the customer (if they haven't already) to send pictures of the space where the piece will go
- Test spots with selected stains
- First coat application
- Share progress photos and videos
- Fine-tune the color based on your feedback
- Balance color variations as needed
The Details Matter
Those characteristic nail holes in reclaimed wood? We fill them with our special sawdust mixture that dries rock-hard. Each filled area is carefully hand-detailed with a painter's brush to match the surrounding wood, ensuring a seamless look while preserving the wood's authentic character.
Quality Control
Throughout the finishing process, we maintain open communication, sharing updates and adjusting as needed. This collaborative approach ensures your piece will be finished exactly as you envision it while celebrating the natural beauty of reclaimed wood.
Before and After: Hall Tree Cabinet Transformation
Reclaimed Pine Table: Step-by-Step Process
The Staining Process: Patience and Precision
Reclaimed Oak: Before and After Comparison
Oak Fence Board Transformation
Important: Every piece of reclaimed wood tells a different story, and our finishing process honors that history while creating furniture that will last for generations.
Ready to Begin Your Custom Piece?
Our collaborative finishing process ensures your custom furniture will be exactly what you envision. From the first consultation to the final protective coat, we work closely with you to create a piece that perfectly complements your space and style.
Start your custom project today:
Experience the difference that comes from working with craftsmen who understand that the finishing process is truly an art form.