The Rural Voice, 2006-10, Page 21home from neighbours'. "It's pretty
much flooring, trim and specialty
work for cottages," Rob says.
"We do simple things but a lot of
our business is different," adds
Leanne.
"People come here to pick out
something more than they'd get at a
lumber yard," explains Rob.
They have a selection of more
than 500 different knives for the
moulder, allowing them to produce
intricate patterns in mouldings that
aren't available from mass
production retailers.
"People don't realize that the
expense is in the wood, not the
profile," explains Leanne. The cost
for producing a moulding is the same
whether cheap poplar or expensive
cherry is being used. The difference
in cost is all in the wood itself. "It's
not more expensive for a more
intricate moulding."
While they are an alternative
to large retailers, they also
have some of their
specialized products in three Home
Hardware and four Rona outlets.
Their work in cottages led to some
articles in magazines which have
played a role in their increasing
business.
Earlier this year they hosted a tour
of 80 members of the Huron -Perth
Woodlot Association. many of whom
have returned with work since
learning what they could do.
One of the lessons learned is to
value wood that might otherwise
have been disregarded. like elm. Last
year they partnered with Heirlooms
Handcrafted Furniture of Listowel to
create a couple of pieces of furniture
from elm that were on display at the
International Plowing Match.
"People who were cutting it for
firewood are now bringing it in,"
Rob says. Elm is often being used as
flooring in cottages.
They also work with some custom
cabinet builders who are looking for
something unique.
Two incidents of wind damage,
have seen trees like butternut and ash
salvaged and brought in for
processing. "Rather than leave it to
rot in the bush or turn it into
firewood people figure they might as
well use it," Rob says.
People are also discovering the
possibility of salvaging beams from
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