As we put our boats away, close up the pools, box up our bathing suits, and feel the warmth of the sun fade into a cool breeze we can know that the seasons are changing here in Northern Michigan. With brightly colored leaves and the abundant harvests of Pure Michigan apples, it is clear to see fall is here to stay. 

 

 

With fall and the season of harvest in front of us, it makes us all think of Thanksgiving and time spent around the dining room table together. Although 2020 has been one of the strangest years; from our politics to developing new ways of going to the grocery store, family gatherings and relationships are still what we can cling to for comfort. So, as you are preparing for your large or small gatherings this fall season there are a few things you might be considering;

 

The Table:

The table is the place that you eat, play, and converse so why not have it custom-made to suit your space and style. At Great Lakes Reclaimed were offering a custom cottage pine round (60" in diameter) table with a pedestal base for your holiday gatherings. If this style table isn't the right fit for your home gatherings, email us with your personal design wishlist and we can help customize something for you!   

 

The Decor:

Now that you have your gathering place planned out, you may want to add your custom flare.  What better way to do so than with an arrangement of Plush Pumpkins! The beauty in these pumpkins is more than just the huge color selection, they also add texture and softness to round out your table style. The Plush Pumpkins can be used for making your space unique up until the Christmas tree goes up without any rotting! 

 

The Food:

Your gathering place is custom to your space and your style, but now what do you serve? 

With it being apple and pumpkin season, how about making either a delicious pumpkin pie or this beautiful apple crisp to fill the bellies and souls of your guests.  

Below is a delicious pumpkin pie recipe from epiccurious.com

https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/pumpkin-pie-102601

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The barn was built mainly of hemlock which falls under the pine category. All of its beams are hand hewn. We take a great amount of satisfaction in being able to salvage these beams and fashion them into beautiful, functional furniture. Continue reading

I needed more space for spices and condiments so I had the shop make me up some easy to hang shelving units. Then I got out my signature color and painted away. I like the results! Continue reading

Great Lakes Reclaimed began on Valentines Day February 14, 2013.  Our beer tote was the first product we ever made.  I remember Lisa showing me a drawing of what she wanted me to build.  I went out to our shop and created our first beer tote a few days before Valentines Day.  I listed it on Etsy and distinctly remember reading their disclaimer that it could take 4-6 months before your first sale...That's like being named Noah and going around telling people it is never going to rain... We had our first sale two days later and then a wedding party from California wanted 7 with laser engraved names on each beer

 

tote.   Great Lakes Reclaimed was off and running. We turned our dining room into a shipping department and had fedex pickups daily on our front porch.  We had great neighbors who never complained about the shop noise and the trucks going in and out of our driveway.... Never negate the day of small beginnings because when the holiday season arrives it can change fast....

  

Christmas orders for 2013 went thru the roof.  We had over 400 beer totes in the Que.  I enlisted my son Matt and my 3 nephews to help us build.  It was a great introduction to the maker movement and how not to be ready for the holiday season...

We moved back to Michigan in the summer of 2014 and opened our shop here in Petoskey.  We now make wine racks, furniture and home decor items.  We learned a lot these past four years and greatly appreciate all of you who have ordered from us and entrusted us with making you a high quality product.  Jim

    

 

 

 

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I have to say that this table was one fun table to build.  The property the winery is located on is an old family farm here in Petoskey, MI.  The bar was built out of the wood from the old outbuildings from the farm.  The owners asked us to match the table and legs to the color of the bar and top.  It was a little tricky to say the least but we ended up getting a pretty good match.  The owners were very happy and have had many a good party on that table... We do like to customize and never shy away from a unique project... Jim Continue reading

Every once in a while we come upon a design piece that really floats our boat! These sliding doors that simply slide over your door opening give an instant feel to the room as well as being super practical.  Saving space was how we backed into this one. We had a laundry room in an entry hallway that had a door that opened right into the tiny laundry space, taking up a wall where we wanted to have cabinets and storage. The slider door was the answer. Removing that hinged door was a happy day in our household and the look and artful touch the weathered barn wood added was a solid bonus! Continue reading

"The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" also marks the "Busiest Time of the Year" for our workshop here at Great Lakes Reclaimed. We are in full swing as the Holidays kick in and the added excitement and traffic really make it a bustling little shop! Many of you who have followed us on Facebook for awhile have stopped in on your travels through town to see what we have going and its always a pleasure to meet you! 

Our Farmhouse Harvest Tables have been the big surprise this year and we are happy to offer these with a huge array of customizable design options. You asked for it and we listened! You can now pick your stain color (match your kitchen/dining area), pick your table or bench leg design (square, tapered or turned) as well as your overall exact dimensions. Need it downsized for an apartment? Want a mammoth size to fit a large family? We can do it all. After all these are selected you can even give us the level of distressing you would like; little to heavy and everything in between...

Here's to a great Holiday Season and to many gatherings around your table! 

Lisa

 

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