American Heirlooms - June 2019

American Heirlooms - June 2019

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JUNE 2019

NAVIGATING ECO-FRIENDLY PRACTICES IN THE LUMBER INDUSTRY

Reusing lumber from barns has been all the rage recently, and from my perspective as a craftsman, I am really enjoying the beautiful products this weather-beaten wood can offer. Once considered a defective piece of lumber, barn wood provides an artistic approach to woodworking. It tells a story we all enjoy in a unique and beautiful way. Yet, if you have ever been part of the reclaiming process, you can understand why reused barn wood costs more than new lumber and can actually be more detrimental to the environment. Often, a high cost indicates the industry is not creating products efficiently and, instead, is using more energy than it would with alternatives. For reference, consider the highly anticipated Tesla, a vehicle that promises to be completely energy efficient by running on electricity. However, the cost to create the batteries for these vehicles to run so efficiently is huge, and the manpower and engineering put into creating these batteries runs high, as well. At face value, it’s a great concept. In the production stages, it needs some refining. The process of using barn wood includes cutting out the rot, killing worms and bugs by kiln-drying, risking damage to your planer and jointer blades if you don’t first use a metal detector to find and remove nails, and keeping the rustic side out so the cut or planed surfaces are not seen.

chopping a tree down, cutting it into lumber, and drying it with an efficient, high-volume processes is less costly. The teardown and rework are much more labor intensive with reclaimed barn wood. Additionally, when you rely on the U.S. lumber industry, you know you are getting a sustainably produced product.

There are places around the world where the

lumber is not sustainably harvested, but rest assured, the lumber industry in the U.S. has been planting more trees than it has been harvesting for many years. The U.S. Forest Service reports that 4 million trees are planted each day, and the growth of forests is 36 percent higher than removals. In theory, the practice of planting trees while older trees are removed makes good business sense. When you have more trees, you can harvest more trees. But this also serves as a replenishment after using up a source. Those who are staunch environmentalists may suggest giving up wood completely as a way to preserve natural habitats, yet studies show that might not be an effective alternative. In fact, according to a recent study, using wood as a building material more frequently

could save 14–21 percent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions and 12–19 percent of current global fossil fuel consumption. The truth is when it comes to wood and lumber, you cannot go wrong with the forestry practices of the U.S. lumber industry. When you order a custom piece or set of kitchen cabinets with wood from the USA, you know it’s sustainable. Just be sure to order from a craftsperson who has quality as their main focus.

I do use barn wood occasionally; I even have a piece in my home! Yet it’s easy to see why

–Ethan Zimmerman

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The style or variety of wood you choose for your custom piece can be as essential as the features of it. What you choose to build your piece from can directly influence the feel and look, which can range from the warm, inviting feeling that cherry wood often provides to the artistic stylings of elm. If you’re looking for a durable and moisture-resistant piece, then look no further than baldcypress. Known by our friends at O’Shea Lumber Company as “the enduring beauty of the bayou,” the oldest and largest tree east of the Mississippi, baldcypress has unique characteristics that make it desirable. The tree itself is best known for its preference of damper conditions, sprouting out of the swamps from Delaware to Florida. It can also be found along the coast of Texas, through the rivers of Oklahoma and Arkansas, and as far west as humid Midwestern states like Indiana and Illinois. Louisiana claims the baldcypress as its own, naming it the official tree of the Bayou State. And while baldcypress prefers the dense, moist soils of these states, its resilient nature allows it to cling to dry soils as well. Because of its immersion in water, the baldcypress is more resistant to decay, making it an ideal choice for outdoor building projects. Most notably, you may see cypress boards used for fence posts, garden boxes, boat planking, and the bones of a building. However, Even as the modern world becomes more technologically advanced, we still haven’t been able to uncover all the secrets of some ancient civilizations. From waterproof fire to unbreakable steel, these carefully guarded inventions were taken to the grave and have never been recreated or rediscovered. Like the civilizations that birthed them, they have been lost in time. Greek Fire There’s a reason the Byzantine Empire ruled the land and sea in Eastern Europe for seven centuries. That reason was Greek fire, an incredibly flammable, petroleum-based substance that the Byzantines used to incinerate their enemies. It was unique from other incendiary materials because water purportedly did not put out the fire. Some even reported that water helped it spread. Its composition was carefully guarded by the Byzantines, and with the decline of their empire, the secret ingredients for Greek fire were lost. Saksaywaman Blocks On the other side of the world, the ancient Incans built an awe-inspiring citadel outside Cusco, the capital city of their empire. It was called Saksaywaman, and it functioned as a fortress, temple, and storage depot. However, it is not the function of the citadel that is mysterious, but the architecture. The walls of Saksaywaman are made with large stones, some weighing 200

tons, that are cut so precisely that mortar was not necessary to hold them together. The technique the Incan stonemasons used to fit the variously shaped stones is still unknown, but its construction allowed the citadel to withstand earthquakes for centuries. Damascus Steel In 500 A.D., superior swords and knives began to appear in the Middle East. It was said that their blades could cut through a feather midair and that they were stronger than any other metal. “Damascus steel” was named for Damascus, Syria, the city where the steel was supposedly created. However, the secret to creating the blades was in the steel ingots from India used to make them, called Wootz steel. The technique for creating Damascus steel was lost in the 18th century, and though many have tried, no one has been able to replicate Wootz or Damascus steel.

many custom furniture and indoor pieces can be created with baldcypress. Specifically, trim and cabinets are popular uses for cypress, due to its natural water resistance. Baldcypress typically responds well to power tools and the crafting process, but its soft and moldable texture requires greater care among craftspeople. At our shop, cypress is usually a rare request, but our craftspeople are experienced enough to work with it.

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Furniture craftsmanship is an art form that takes time, dedication, and practice. Yet some designs are still well known in custom-designed- furniture circles today. Learn more about five historic cabinet makers who left their mark on the industry below. André Charles Boulle Have you ever noticed an intricate design on an end table or dining room table? You may have French artist and cabinet maker André Charles Boulle to thank for this ornate styling. Boulle is most known for adding this style, often called marquetry or inlay, to his furniture, but he also claimed favor among French royalty. In fact, King Louis XIV of France called Boulle “the most skilled craftsman in his profession.” You may recognize Boulle’s style on ornate, sculpturesque end tables — each one crafted to include his inlay style, of course. The Big 3 No list of famous furniture makers would be complete without the 18th-century Big Three. Comprised of Thomas Chippendale, Thomas Sheraton, and George Hepplewhite, each designer's life and works continue to inspire modern furniture makers. Chippendale was well-

known for his influences on 18th-century designs, often enveloping his work with detailed carvings. Meanwhile, Sheraton is less known for the work he actually did and more for his thoughts, designs, and books published on the subject. His publications are believed to have inspired many English and American furniture designers. Hepplewhite remains the biggest mystery of the three, with some historians believing his wife, Alice, was really the genius behind his designs and work. Samuel Harding Take a quick jaunt to Independence Hall, and you will see the work of one of America’s most famous cabinet makers. During the construction of what was then Pennsylvania’s State House, Samuel Harding’s work was commissioned by architect Edmund Woolley between 1732 and 1748 to add a delicate, artistic eye to the hall’s grandiose staircase, columns, and carvings. Harding was paid approximately $252 for his work, which would be more than $16,000 today.

With raw zucchini, toasted hazelnuts, and a robust Parmigiano- Reggiano, this early summer salad is a delight of different textures and flavors that will make a great side at your next cookout.

INGREDIENTS •

3 small zucchini (3/4 lb.) 1/2 tsp lemon zest, grated 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste 1/4 cup toasted hazelnuts, coarsely chopped

• •

Mint leaves, for garnish Parmesan cheese, preferably Parmigiano- Reggiano, for garnish

• • • • •

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Using a mandolin or very sharp knife, slice zucchini lengthwise into extremely thin, wide ribbons. 2. Arrange zucchini ribbons on a plate, sprinkle with lemon zest, and drizzle with juice. 3. Drizzle oil over zucchini, season with salt and pepper, and toss. 4. Scatter hazelnuts over the top, garnish with mint and cheese, and serve.

Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine

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Brought to you by Kenton Chair Shop Builders of American Heirlooms and Penns Creek Furniture The Swiss Craftsman

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Inside this Issue

Is Wood Good for the Earth? Page 1

3 Ancient Inventions That Puzzle Historians What Can Cypress Offer Your Furniture? Page 2 History’s Well-Known Furniture Makers Zucchini Salad With Toasted Hazelnuts Page 3

Exploring the River of No Return Page 4

THE UNSPOILED BEAUTY OF CENTRAL IDAHO

There’s more to Idaho than potatoes. Sitting square in the center of the Gem State is one of the largest contiguous areas of protected wilderness in the U.S. While the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area may not roll off the tongue as easy as Yellowstone or Yosemite, this 2 million-acre swath of mountains, gorges, and alpine lakes offers something for outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. River of No What, Now? The name of the wilderness may sound a little ominous at first — who wants to travel down a river of no return? — but in truth, it’s a title from times gone by when canoes and small watercraft could travel down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River swiftly but couldn’t fight the current going back up. Today, those same rapids make the Middle Fork a wildly popular whitewater rafting destination, with plenty of local and out-of- state enthusiasts making a return journey every summer. Rafting Isn't for Me. What Else You Got? If crashing down 300 Class III rapids isn’t your speed, the Frank Church Wilderness has plenty of other ways to enjoy the wild mountain

country. There are several lodges that were grandfathered in to the wilderness area, most of which are only accessible by jet boat, light aircraft, or good old-fashioned hiking. Some, like the Middle Fork Lodge, offer five-star accommodations, located conveniently close to one of the area’s many natural hot springs. Those with the right permits will find the rivers and lakes full of fishing opportunities, and the surrounding pine forests are teeming with game. Lodges? I Just Want to Get Away From It All. For those looking for a truly unplugged experience, backpacking to the many campsites scattered throughout the region can be an incredible journey. If you spend a night beside the crystal-clear waters of Langer Lake, hundreds of miles away from any light pollution, you’ll find peace, quiet, and a sky bursting with stars. If you’ve ever wanted to experience a truly untamed part of the United States, Idaho is the hidden gem you’ve been looking for.

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