Inspired American Decor focuses on new life for old wood and more!
By JOE BUTLER
Staff writer
A quick look at the items on display at Inspired American Decor won’t tell you the whole story.
Sure the country-style wood furnishings and accent pieces are beautiful, and would look great in just about any Idaho home, from a small apartment or cabin to a larger domicile. You’ll find distressed cabinets and tables, and handcrafted Amish made Barn Stars that can make any space shine, at least in a figurative sense.
But then when you find out that the majority of the wood products have been manufactured by the shop’s co-owner, Charles Haddy, often from wood that has its own history, it can make the item even more special.
“We’re reclaiming the past, and breathing new life into olderwood,” said Charles, who recently opened Inspired American Decor at 501 Appleway, in the same building as Granny’s Wild Geranium & across from The Pizza Shoppe.
He and his wife Lisa share a love of antiques, unique items, and the country look.
“We both have a passion for the past,” Charles said.
He’s been working with wood for many years, and really began to enjoy working on finding new uses for wood from the past.
Though there’s no shortage of aging barns, barrels, and more out there, it can be a challenge to find something of enough quality and character to work with, and then another challenge to decide what to transform it into.
Past projects have included turning a wine barrel topinto a lazy susan, which also kept the natural wine stain, and complimenting a curio cabinet made from reclaimed wood with antique accents such as an old leaded glass window, hinges and knobs.
When the couple finds a good source of wood, they try to find the history of it, and if it exists, a picture of the original use. Then, the purchaser can have a new unique piece to show off, plus a backstory and possibly a photo to boast about. “A lot of wood out there has a story,” Lisa said. “It might be a building from the 1920s, or lumber from the 1880s.”
The Haddys are firm in not wanting to tear down buildings just to future their business.
“We have no desire to take down a building such as a barn that is still serving a purpose or in good condition, it is our desire to preserve our historical landscape,” she said. “We try to preserve as much as we can.”
But if the wood is destined for the landfill or the burn pile, they’ll be happy to turn it into a high-quality piece of furniture, even something you can pass on to your descendents.
The store also contains other unique pieces such as pottery by a local artist and their wood shopping and antique buying trips have taken them around the country.
“Each piece has its own characteristics,”
Many of the barn stars are created by an Amish family that handcrafts them from the tin on former barn roofs.
The shop includes traditional mahogany items, jeweled trinket boxes and salt rocks from the Himalayas.
There are also country-style signs and artwork, handcrafted benches and quite a few items and furnishings like wine racks that would look welcome in the home of any wine enthusiast.
The store has historic photos of barns, and can also frame them in reclaimed wood.
Then there are larger pieces, including a “Little House on the Prairie”-inspired bedroom set, which is a period and decorating style both of them appreciate.
“We want to preserve the American way, and also try to retain American values,” Charles said. “We also change things often and always have new designs and products coming in.”
The Haddys are always happy to talk to people about decorating or to area interior decorators looking for unique items to put in a client’s home or business.
In the near future, they will be creating unique mantels, and are working more with builders and buyers wanting ‘green’ homes, referring to a growing movement of energy efficiency and an emphasis on natural and recycled products.
They encourage people to come by and see the selection
“Our main motto here is we strive not just to meet our customer’s expectations but rather to exceed them.”
Information:
http://www.inspiredamerican.com
