Repurposing Wood from Deconstructed Barns
Greg Horton and Roger Custin own BarnBeautiful, an artisan shop located in Stockbridge, Georgia. From deconstructing barns by hand to using the wood to craft furnishings and other beautiful products, the two are active in the creation process. Patrons of the shop are invited to spend time browsing the inventory of items Wednesday through Saturday, but to fully appreciate the products on display it is important to understand their origin.
While each BarnBeautiful piece is one-of-a-kind, a trait they all share is the fact the wood used to create the pieces is sourced from barns around the state of Georgia. Utilizing original materials ranging from wood to old nails, the finished products are unique and sophisticated. Each creation crafted from repurposed barn wood is numbered to coordinate with the farm from which it came, so every person who buys an item can learn the story behind their purchase. Salvaging and repurposing materials in this manner allows history to live on through generations and gives the community a way to connect the locations to the unique pieces produced by the Henry County business.
Just as the barns themselves had character and details that were specific to them, so do the products. Someone in search of functional furnishings will find options just as easily as another looking for fine art and often in the same piece. Along with catching the eye of an onlooker, the merchandise will likely catch the attention of those with an appreciation for preservation. One example of how Horton takes care to maintain the character of the wood is by opting to sand the wood by hand rather than using a planer.
Creating Custom Pieces Upon Request
BarnBeautiful carries many creations thought up by Horton himself, but he encourages individuals to request custom pieces inspired by their own creativity. An imaginative and collaborative creator, Greg is the embodiment of BarnBeautiful’s motto of “You Dream It, We Build It.” Once a patron’s concept is dreamed up and measurements are shared with Horton, he begins with a sketch and consults with the client to ensure he has successfully captured their vision. Next comes the process of construction. A literal window into the mind of the artist comes in the form of the workshop located inside the storefront. Through a large glass window, curious patrons might find Greg at work on a new project.
A showcase for the creations of other local talents, BarnBeautiful represents works from more than 20 different artists. This includes handmade goods such as jewelry, specialty soaps and candles, stained glass, hand-glazed pottery, housewares and more. The store also displays art via a dedicated gallery space. The walls of the gallery are graced by collections of works from gifted artists specializing in a variety of mediums. The original art and the reclaimed wooden works strike such a stunning balance that it is not unusual to see items from one of the resident artisans accompanying custom pieces placed into someone’s home.
From a concept to creation, BarnBeautiful is where history, creativity and storytelling come together. Each piece of wood pulled from a deconstructed barn breathes life into a new project. A work of art is the beautiful result.
For more information about BarnBeautiful, view their video and accompanying interview. You can contact the store to request your own custom creation or browse their Instagram account for inspiration before visiting their Henry County, GA store.