WHF Blog

Western Heritage - Monday, May 21, 2012

 

A few weeks ago, a terrible tragedy struck our neighbors on the other side of the mountain.   A fire raged through historic Whiskey Row in Prescott, AZ, destroying a couple of businesses and damaging several more, including one of our fantastic dealers, Jenny Longhorn.   Richard Schulte, owner of Jenny Longhorn (jennylonghorn.com), said that while he did not receive any fire damage, the smoke damage to the store was extensive, ruining much of their inventory and forcing them to close for at least a month.   

A portion of Whiskey Row as seen before the fire that damaged businesses such as the Bird Cage Saloon, Larry and Hy's BBQ, Prescott Food Store, and Jenny Longhorn. 

 Photo taken May 8, 2012

Our hearts go out to all of those affected by the fire.  We hope that the rebuilding process is fast and that business can resume as normal.

KM

 

 

Western Heritage - Wednesday, March 21, 2012

 

I am always amused, while thumbing through a fashion magazine, when I read headlines that declare that "Red Lips/Polka Dots/Black Pants are BACK!"  Well, thank goodness!   Am I the only person that didn't know they were gone?

Even if you do not follow fashion, there are some things that are simply classic.  The color black definitely falls into that category.   As I was laughing at the revelation that black pants were FINALLY back in style, it dawned on me that there were a lot of orders leaving our doors lately with black leather panels.  Maybe there was something to this black thing...

So this blog is dedicated to all the gorgeous black leather accented furniture that we have created, and all the super trendy designers and retailers who know style when they see it!

 

Our classic Whatchamacallit combines rustic with sleek black leather. The Bartlett legs can be modern or rustic, making this a very versatile piece. 

 

If the rustic Ghostwood is not your style, Western Heritage will also make furniture out of Alder, such as this buffet.  The wood is stained our standard Coffee finish, and Pewter tacks pop off of the black leather panels.

 

 

The Signature Cocktail Table looks dapper in black.  I could see this with a contemporary red leather sofa, cow hide or Navajo Rug, and neutral walls and floor.  Statement piece for sure!

 

 

Custom "Cowboy" corners were added to this piece for a Western Bedroom. 

 

Last but not least, one of my favorite pieces to come out of the factory lately were two of these custom-sized buffets with black leather panels and Hammered Zinc tacks.  The end result was simply stunning. 

When it comes fashion and furniture, trends can be fun, but CLASSIC is always in style! 

As always, call us at 925-639-1424 or email sales@whf-inc.com for more information. 

 KM

 

 

 

Western Heritage - Friday, December 16, 2011

 

It sure is getting chilly up here on Cleopatra Hill!  The icy winds and snowfall have been delivering quite the punch these last couple of weeks.  

 

While I have to admit that it looks beautiful, keeping warm in this old building is a bit of a challenge.  One thing that we have done to try and battle the chill, is the addition of all new exterior doors on our factory.   Besides providing better insulation, they look much better than the old gymnasium doors.  

 Western Heritage Furniture makes a wide variety of doors using alder and Ghostwood.

 

 

 

Any of our parquetry patterns can be converted into our doors.  Above is the Diamondback and Archer patterns.

Simple rustic elegance.  Roxy can't resist sneaking a peak.

Open the doors up to see the copper and leather designs on the interior.  While not the best for dealing with the elements, adding embellishment on the interior of a door would certainly dress up a foyer.

There is no reason to have to use plain old doors!  Contact us at sales@whf-inc.com to find out about our custom doors, cabinet facings, and built-ins.  Or just come on up to Jerome and take a stroll around town, where you will see our doors in action!

 

 

Western Heritage - Wednesday, November 16, 2011

 

Last week, we had the privilege of creating a Presidential Desk for our friends at Valerie's Furniture and Accents in Cave Creek, AZ.   This is a pretty spectacular desk, one that we don't get to make every day.   Everyone who worked on this piece agreed that it was the most beautiful desk that we have ever produced, so I had to take some pictures and share with everyone.  Enjoy.

  

 The Presidential Desk is an executive style desk made with various species of reclaimed wood, including walnut, redwood, curly cherry, and Western Heritage's signature Ghostwood. 

 

 

 Along with using reclaimed lumber to build our furniture, WHF also reclaims architectural details, such as this molding.   This particular molding was pulled from a building here in Jerome, AZ.  

 

 

 Part of what made this desk so breathtaking were the panels on the top.  These panels were hand picked by Adam, our sawyer, for their ability to shine in an application like this. 

 

 

A closer view at the wonderful heartwood panels. 

 

 A bit of Ghosttown Copper was added in to the corner leg insets, and the top corner detail.  This corner detail is bordered in the curly cherry to really make it stand out.

 

 

Buffalo Nickel tacks were added over the leather trimmed edge for a fun Western detail.

 

 

Western Heritage makes file drawers that are easily converted from letter to legal per the customer's preference.   The central pencil drawer can also me made as a keyboard slideout for PC users.

 

 Hats off to the team at Valerie's Furniture and Accents (valeriesfurniture.com) and to our artisans who make each piece of Western Heritage Furniture special and one of a kind!

 

 

Western Heritage - Friday, September 09, 2011

Every now and then, Western Heritage Furniture pops up in some pretty amazing places.   One of the more wonderful places that I have seen is The Ranch at Rock Creek near Philipsburg, Montana.   This luxury guest ranch gives a flavor of the "wild west" in conjunction with first-class amenities. 

The RARC owes it's gorgeous western style to Santa Fe based interior designer Jet Zarkadas, founder and owner of Los Griegos Studio.   The interiors are rich, rustic, and above all, authentic; completely devoid of kitsch.  From the guest rooms to the Silver Dollar Saloon, this place is the ultimate in "glamping".  (Thanks to the Travel Channel for coining this term!)

Enjoy a few photos of this acclaimed property, and start planning you next vacation.

  

The Ranch at Rock Creek, Granite Lodge

 

 Horse Drive

 

Fly fishing on Rock Creek

 

 The Great Room in the Granite Lodge.  Check out that gorgeous poker table!

 

Zakardas used WHF's Cheyenne desk for the Concierge's office.

 

The Winchester Room, one of nine guest rooms at Granite Lodge.

 

 WHF's Saloon Tables with checkerboard tops are seen just off of the four lane bowling alley.

Contact the Ranch at Rock Creek at theranchatrockcreek.com for more information and reservations.

Contact Jet Zarkadas and Los Griegos Design Studio at losgriegosstudio.com.

Thanks to Los Griegos Studio and to Ranch at Rock Creek for images.

KM

 

Western Heritage - Thursday, August 04, 2011

We don't always, or even often, get to see our furniture as it relates to a customer's home.   Every now and then, we get the privilege of personally delivering our pieces out into the world, and can appreciate how the design process all comes together. 

Recently, we made a dining table that had our tongues all wagging, thanks to Sedona designer Sheri Mleynek.   Sheri designed this piece to have 2 leaves (expanding out to an oval), custom finish on the table and chairs, and Ghosttown Copper accents on the chairs, table top, and edging.



The top is our Archer pattern with the turquoise copper accentuating the darker wood tones.  The leaves are engineered so that a pattern is maintained when the table is expanded.



The table looked amazing on the slate flooring.


 
The chairs were coordinated with the same custom finish, Merlot leather, and a Ghosttown Copper panel on the back.  A gorgeous group designed by Sheri!  Thank you and keep up the great work!!

To contact Sheri Mleynek, email sheri@mleynekdesigns.com

For information on furniture, customizations, and bending the rules of time and space, contact sales@whf-inc.com


 

Western Heritage - Thursday, July 21, 2011


It used to be that we would come home from a long day at work, kick off our boots, grab a tasty beverage and settle in to the sofa to watch a little TV to unwind from the stresses of the day.  The living room is aptly named, as that is where we did most of our living.

But, in today's fast-paced, wireless, on-demand society, people are spending more and more time in front of a computer.  So why not make your office as comfortable and pleasant as your living room?  Might as well, desk potato.

Take a look at WHF's new Carson Desk.  Available standard in 60"x30" or in 72"x32", or custom sized to whatever dimension your little heart desires.

The majority of this piece is made from our Milled Ghostwood.  The rough exterior edges of our Ghostwood are planed back to reveal the interior wood.  The finishing result is a cleaner, sleeker, lighter wood tone, perfect for Mountain Modern or Contemporary Southwest designs.
 


The front of the desk is WHF's original Archer pattern in Ghostwood, Milled Ghostwood, and Ghosttown Copper.  Super Ghosty!  Any of WHF's patterned table tops can be put on the front of this piece, and our coppers and leathers are all available as accents to customize the look to your hearts content.



The top of this desk has a central writing panel of our Amber leather and a decorative panel of Ghosttown Copper to set off the top.   The side panels are crafted of the Ghostwood raised center, beveling back to the Milled Ghostwood below.



A single file drawer and two storage drawers on one side, and a tower compartment on the other are on the back of the desk.  The central pencil drawer can convert to a computer keyboard slideout if you need.  Of course WHF can accommodate whatever office configuration that you require.

Contact sales@whf-inc.com for more information regarding customization, construction, and where to buy one for yourself.

Sidenote:  Since this is very ghosty post, I thought it would be fun to mention that this pic is taken at Minehouse Collection on Main Street Jerome.  A few days earlier, they had their first ghost sighting just across from where this desk sits on the mezzanine.   He was relaxing in a chair.  I guess he approves of the new furnishings and was enjoying the space!
 

Western Heritage - Wednesday, July 13, 2011

          Shown with Ghosttown Copper panels and top and Bartlet legs


 

Western Heritage - Tuesday, July 05, 2011
It is just fun to say.  DOG BLOG.

This week I thought it would be fun to spotlight some of the "Dogs of Western Heritage".  I have to say the best part of putting this post together was asking the guys about their pets.  The immediate smiles and tender looks in the guys' eyes was endearing and made me feel like I knew each of them a little better.  Big Softies.

Not only do our pets provide us with unconditional love and joy ("I said SIT!!!"), mostly, but they give us a connection to each other.   In a room full of strangers, our pets give us something to bond over, a story to tell or a picture to share with a smile. 

These are some of the pets that make us smile...


Name:  Suzi
Age:  3
Favorite Food:  Steak
Hobbies:  Chasing the ball
Human:  John "Johnny Two Coats" Kaldes



Name:  Cele (short for "Celebration")
Age:  2
Favorite Food: Cheese
Hobbies:  Playing outside, and eluding my humans
Human:  Neith Brock



Name:  Pico
Age:  6
Favorite Food:  Anything and Everything
Hobbies:  Playing with my boobah and sleeping
Human:  Neith Brock



Name: Precious
Age:  5
Favorite Food:  Whatever Pico doesn't eat
Hobbies:  Playing with Pico and burying stuff
Human:  Neith Brock



Name: Roxy
Age: 5
Favorite Food:  O.D.F. (Other Dog's Food)
Hobbies:  Swimming, Pirating, and giving the "Stinkeye"
Human:  Kim Maneely



Name:  Baby
Age: A lady never tells
Favorite Food:  DOG FOOD!
Hobbies:  Sneaking off to see Roxy, anything involving my Mom, not listening to my Dad.
Human:  Tim McCune


Thanks to all who sent me pictures and gave me info! 






 

Western Heritage - Thursday, June 02, 2011

I get a kick out of this old cowboys take on life.

 “Life should never be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely, in a well preserved body but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of dust, thoroughly used up, totally wore out and proclaiming loudly, “WOW, what a ride!”

Well, I am pleased to announce that, to the best of my knowledge, I am nowhere near the end, but can proclaim “WOW, What a ride!” Fourteen years ago, on May 22, I was blessed with a beautiful baby girl Riley Claire McClellan. Five pounds thirteen ounces and all of 18 inches long this little angel changed my life. 

                                           

Riley and I, a few moons ago

A more recent pic of me and Riley

At the time, I had a small woodshop and was a one man show. Upon her arrival, I quickly realized that I could not, with just my two hands, generate enough furniture to afford the life I wished for her. Being a bit of a perfectionist, I had, in the past, had a difficult time hiring help. I just couldn’t leave well enough alone. But for the future financial security of Western Heritage (and thus Miss Riley) I was able to overcome this limitation of mine. I did have to make a pact with myself in order to fully embrace this new adventure.

The pact:  At some point in the foreseeable future I would build a new shop, just for me, where I could pick projects based on my desire to create rather than my need to pay the bills.

                                         

My new home in Durango

                                       

My new shop space

                                         

Unwrapping some new toys, I mean tools

                                      

Hard at work

                                     

A beautiful shot of Erika Roberts at the ranch

The story of Western Heritage is a long exciting tale that I will save for another time, but suffice it to say that we have surpassed all of my wildest dreams. I have been blessed again with a great building for my new shop. I am now almost finished with the build-out (an extension of WHF) in beautiful Durango Colorado. Attached are a few photos. I will attempt to keep everyone posted on the progress and projects of the shop as well as my endeavors to improve my fly fishing skills.

Cheers,

Tim McClellan