What is reclaimed lumber and where does it come from?

Reclaimed lumber is simply wood that has been discarded or donated because it is no longer needed for its original purpose. The majority of lumber we use for our frames comes from deconstructed homes in the Pacific Northwest.

Why don’t you use bamboo or sustainable woods?

There is such an abundance of reusable lumber in this country that it is completely unnecessary for us to use anything else. We only use what is otherwise being thrown away. Bamboo has become a wonderful alternative to sustainable lumber for its amazing growth period and its durability. Unfortunately, most bamboo comes from Asia where workers are not paid a fair wage, and dangerous chemicals, such as formaldehyde are used in processing. While bamboo is a step in the right direction for many applications, it does not fit into our business model of recycling.

We specifically do not use sustainable varieties, because it is still virgin wood. Using virgin lumber encourages the practice of demolition which sends millions of tons of wood related construction and demolition debris to landfills in the U.S. each year. The environmental cost of using sustainable wood is still far too great for us to even consider using it. The Deconstruction Institute is a wonderful resource for understanding the impact of demolition and using virgin wood vs. deconstructing and salvaging building materials. For more information about home deconstruction and the environmental relationship, please take a look at their benefit calculator:
http://www.deconstructioninstitute.com/calc1.php

Why don’t you use “recycled” paint?

Paint that is “recycled" is a great idea, but we don’t believe it is the healthiest option. Recycling used paint still encourages the manufacturing of paints made from synthetic chemicals. A paint that is labeled nontoxic does not mean “contains no synthetic or petrochemical ingredients” nor does it mean that “no animals were harmed in the manufacturing of this product.” Paints are loaded with all kinds of nasty chemicals that are harmful to the environment during manufacturing and for years to come after you bring them into your home. We don’t know how it is possible for recycled paint to be a healthier option for you and the planet, other than it not going to waste. The stains we currently use are the best that are available to us right now. We hope to develop our own line of plant based stains in the future. Until then, you can be sure we are using the safest option available for you, the animals, and the planet.

Are your frames available for wholesale?

No, we offer discounts for those reselling our frames, but are no longer offering wholesale pricing.

Do you have a print catalog?

No, we do have a print version of our catalog at this time. We decided that the environmental impact of printing a catalog was far too great to justify the need.

Why are your frames more expensive?

Each one of our frames are designed, constructed, and finished by hand in our Portland Oregon studio. Our frames are not mass produced in a factory, in some other country. The cost for the materials in our operation are also more expensive since we choose to use the best products possible. The “true cost” of our frames is much less in the long run when you consider the impact of how other frames are manufactured. There is the human cost, both for those working in a factory under repressive conditions and the cost to your health when you bring a product into your home that off-gasses for years to come. There is an enormous impact on the welfare of animals due to unnecessary testing and slaughter for ingredients that can be found elsewhere. Lastly, there is the cost to the environment from operating factories that manufacture frames and paints, the use of virgin wood (see above), shipping materials all over the world, etc. When you make a purchase with us, you contribute to the sustainability of our business and in turn support other like-minded businesses.

You can find more information about “True Cost Economics,” through Adbusters at: http://adbusters.org/metas/eco/truecosteconomics/

Why do you use a different joint in the corners of your frames?

The plain and simple answer is that a lap joint is much more durable than a traditional miter joint. Since there is more overlapping surface area, there is a stronger bond between each piece of wood. Our frames are built to last with the hope that they will be passed on for generations instead of ending up in the landfill.

Do you offer custom framing?

We sure do! We offer what we consider to be, “true custom” framing. We mill down each piece of reclaimed lumber in our own shop, which allows us to create any size molding that is desired for a specific piece of artwork. This is what we mean when we say, “built from scratch.”

For Portland customers, we offer a complete framing package that includes glass, museum backing, and a dust cover. We frame your artwork the same way a conventional frame store does.

How do you provide the same service over the Internet?

We work one-on-one with each and every client, regardless of the size of your order, to design just the right frame. We often have our clients send image files of the piece being framed, and then we photograph that image with various molding and mat color options. The main difference between using us and a local frame shop is that we cannot frame the artwork here and put a dust cover on the back. Most of our customers don’t mind the extra work because there are no frame shops offering reclaimed wood molding options. For a small fee, most frames shop will put a dust cover on the back of one of our frames for you.

Do you offer any type of discounts?

Definitely! If you are an artist/designer or buying in quantities of 5 or more, please get in touch. We only offer wholesale pricing to retailers who resell our frames without any modifications. We make each one of our frames by hand, so we cannot give out “free” samples. You wouldn’t expect an artist to give their paintings away for free since each one is an original. We believe the same applies for our frames. Each one is an original work of art. Please take this into consideration before asking us for favors and freebies. Thanks!