Vermont Woods Studios - Eco Furniture Blog

Vermont Woods Studios Customers Rock! Thanks For Completing Our Survey.

We were floored by your thoughtful, helpful responses to our Vermont Woods Studios website usability survey (Click here ...it's not too late if you haven't participated yet).  THANK YOU so much for the feedback, suggestions, comments, ENCOURAGEMENT and general support for our green mission and handmade furniture.  

I thought you might be interested in some of the improvements we're working on in response to your suggestions:

*   Enhanced website design

*   Better search capabilities

*   Larger, higher quality photos

*   More photos of design details

*   Greater product detail, including dimensions

*   Better definition of sale timelines

*   Enhanced navigation with Quick Links at the bottom of each page

*   Darker text for hyper links

*   Larger fonts for product options

*   Larger selection of products

We're also looking carefully at our FREE shipping policy.  Many of you loved it and others felt like they would rather see lower prices.  This deserves a separate blog entry or two, so will save it for later. 

It's not an overnight process, but we hope to have a significantly upgraded website available by the end of the summer.  After that, we'll still have many improvements on our wish list for the next upgrade, but even so, we think you'll see a great improvement by this Fall.

If you haven't filled ou the survey yet, it's not too late!  Click here, share your thoughts and get a $50 gift certificate for use on your favorite piece of Vermont Woods Studios handmade furniture.  Thanks again for all your help!  Keep your suggestions coming.

Custom Wood Buffet in Curly Maple

How do you like this Custom Wood Buffet made with curly maple and live edge glass doors?  It was designed by a customer and based on the Jim Andrews Contemporary Asian Sideboard.  It's really unique, isn't it?  The posts have a dark espresso stain, but they could just as easily be walnut or even cherry, to suit one's taste or compliment other furniture in the room.  With pieces like this, I always wish I could see them in the customer's home.  I bet this one is gorgeous.  

You can get creative and design a unique, custom piece for your home too.  Any of our Fine Handmade Furniture at Vermont Woods Studios can be customized affordably to fit perfectly into your space and style.

We also offer ultra luxury custom artisan furniture, if you're looking to start from scratch on your own idea or vision.  Have a look at our Artisan Custom Furniture for examples, then give us a call.  You can work directly with our artisans to bring your vision to life.  It's a fun experience and the result is something you and your family will cherish for generations.

Happy Birthday Rachel Carson!

Rachel Carson was born on this day in 1907, just a few months after my grandmother was born. Now that I think about it, they had quite a bit in common.  Both women were born and raised in rural Pennsylvania and both had a passion for nature. 

Rachel Carson studied marine biology and became a prolific nature writer.  She was an important voice for conservation and environmental protection, particularly through her book, Silent Spring.  This and her many other books eventually led to a nationwide ban on DDT and other pesticides.  Her work with grassroots environmental advocates led to the creation of the EPA.

I think she was among the great heros of the 20th century.

And so was my grandmother...to me anyway :)

Thank You to All of our Service Men and Women

We are finishing up our yardwork and heading out to the Lilly Pond with canoe and kayaks.  Many thanks to all of our brave men and women in the Service whose hard work and sacrifices enable us to enjoy the freedoms that make our lives so rich.  We are grateful.

Thanks also to Custers Bath Body and Beyond for the image in this post.

Enjoy the holiday and next time you see someone in the service, tell them THANKS!

A Penny for Your Thoughts (actually $50)

We'll be busy upgrading our Vermont Woods Studios website over the next few months and we'd love to have your feedback.  Things like: 

*   How did you find us?
*   What did you like and dislike about our site?
*   How can we make it easier for you to find what you need?
 
Of course, our goal is to offer you a more pleasant and efficient online shopping experience.

Taking this survey is quick and easy.  Just click here to start.

We value your privacy and assure that all responses are kept confidential and used for informational purposes only.

We appreciate your time and are happy to offer you a $50 gift certificate for your participation.  Thanks for your help!

Custom Writing Desk and Credenza

I thought this was a really cool design from one of our favorite furniture makers, Robin Chase.  It's done in natural maple wood with many hand-rubbed layers of a natural-synthetic oil finish.  It feels so good to run your hand over the top of it.

Robin was tasked with furnishing twelve apartments for visiting faculty at Dartmouth College.  His designs are simple, elegant and robust. I'll feature a couple other designs that are part of the same project.

Robin guarantees all of his furniture for the lifetime of the original owner.

Find affordable custom furniture at Vermont Woods Studios online furniture store!

Mother's Day is for Squirrels Too?

My mother has been (rightfully) accused of having the world's fattest squirrels in her yard.  I wonder why?  I was going to scold this one for her gluttony, but Mom reminded me that it was Mother's day and the squirrel probably needed that nourishment to feed her young brood. What a crock!  If I'm ever reincarnated, I want to come back as any one of the lucky, indulgent animals living the good life in my Mother's back yard ;)

Happy Mother's Day!

My neighbor and good friend, Larry Brown just sent me this link.  He and Jane have watched us raise our two sons over the past 12 years.  Must be they've gotten quite a few good laughs.  Could he be trying to tell me something?  Every mother of boys should check this out, http://tinyurl.com/d794au

Custom Trestle Table- Modern Contemporary Design

Here's another custom dining table built recently by a few talented Vermont furniture artisans.  I love the gentle curves and smooth lines of this table.

The customer brought his vision in as a hand drawing which was then transformed into this cool work of functional art.

Custom furniture is more achievable than you might think!  More luxury custom furniture pieces at Vermont Woods Studios.

Our Sustainable Wood Furniture Featured on Green Vitals Website

Many thanks to Kyriaki (Sandy) Venetis of Green Vitals news blog, a leading online information service dedicated to providing greener and more efficient living.  Sandy featured Vermont Woods Studios furniture and our 15% For the Forest initiative in her column yesterday, May 4.  Visit Sandy's blog for a fascinating selection of green topics from fashion to energy to community, politics and more.