The Barnwood Trend: Why It’s Hot
What do you envision when you hear think of a mountain home? For some, the phrase conjures images of a traditional rustic style: log cabins, timber frame homes, moleskin rugs, Western art—maybe a saddle slung over a wooden railing and a pair of boots by the door.
For others, mountain home might mean a clean-lined contemporary retreat from the city, overlooking the peaks, with floor-to-ceiling window walls and minimalist touches, perhaps a bison skull hung over a fireplace and a fur throw draped over the back of a sleek, leather couch.
But in almost every mountain home—whether it’s traditional, rustic, contemporary, or modern—there’s usually something we can count on seeing from almost every vantage point: reclaimed wood.
The barnwood trend in home design has been a mainstay when it comes to mountain living—from cozy and luxurious mountain lodges to the glass-and-steel open layout of the more recent mountain-modern style. There is an essence and a history to reclaimed barnwood that speaks directly to the essence and history of life in mountain towns.
The material not only pays homage to the land and time when the town was established—it also honors the farmers and ranchers who made their living off that land, who many times felled the trees and built their barns and other structures themselves. Bringing these storied finishes and furnishings into the design of one’s home offers a certain romantic air. And while the use of reclaimed barnwood varies depending on the region and the taste of the homeowner, the overall trend is a strong one.
From exterior siding to interior accent walls, ceilings, flooring, and timbers, barnwood can be found in homes from Lake Tahoe, California, to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. What’s been increasingly popular in Jackson, as well as rustic areas of Colorado like Crested Butte, Gunnison, and Basalt, are hand-hewn timbers—rough cuts in the logs originally made by farmers who built their barns 150 years ago.
And the trend in the mountains of Lake Tahoe and Steamboat Springs has erred on the side of modern finishes—barnwood that’s been ship-lapped and kiln-dried to fit tighter and appear more contemporary.
With its neutral tones and variety of textures, reclaimed barnwood and other weathered woods sets the perfect backdrop for any home’s style and surroundings.
Bobby Cannon is the production manager of timbers at Trestlewood, a company that specializes in beautiful, distinctive wood with a history. View their profile or contact Bobby at 208-785-1151.
Content for this article provided by Trestlewood.
