Outdoor Furniture, Patio Furniture and more!

Actually, from now, until the end of next month, all kinds of boxes will be opening.  In fact, I guess that it’s pretty accurate to say that we’re entering the official box-opening season.  Just for starters, there are all of the silverware boxes, cedar chests, and oak chests, from which people will be retrieving their table services and holiday napery.  Beyond those wooden storage boxes, however, millions of people will be digging into gift boxes, before the end of the year.

Naturally, most will be giving, as well as receiving, at least, one of those boxes, which, you can bet, will be as carefully chosen as the presents that they will hold.  On the other hand, in many instances, boxes will be given as gifts; and they will be deeply appreciated and cherished, perhaps, for decades to come.  Some of the timeless favorites include cedar chests, cherry chests, jewelry boxes, jewelry chests, steamer trunks, and armoires.

There’s no denying the significance of boxes; after all, they play very special roles in our lives.  Not only can they be among our most prized possessions, but they are often charged with storing, and protecting, some of our best-loved belongings.  Usually, the things that we entrust to them are irreplaceable keepsakes, such as family photographs, quilts, precious holiday ornaments, special linens, laces, and tablecloths, silverware, and jewelry, which become heirlooms, and, along with the storage boxes, are passed down through the generations.

Indeed, it has been this way for thousands of years, as, throughout the centuries, every known society has placed great importance, and high values, on all sorts of boxes.  These have been made in all sizes, from prayer boxes, which were small enough to be worn as necklaces, to cedar chests and trunks that were large enough to be used for storing household goods.

Boxes have also been constructed from an endless variety of materials, including stone, wood, marble, gold, silver, copper, steel, porcelain, and crystal.  They have been carved, etched, engraved, inscribed, and decorated with beads, jewels, shells, pearls, precious metals, ivory, and symbols of every description.  Some of these special boxes have been – and continue to be – the focal points of holiday, family, religious, and secular traditions.

As far back as ancient Egypt, wooden chests were used for storing jewels, gold, documents, and other important assets.  In Europe, it was common for craftsmen, using whole trees, to carve one-piece chests that were used to safeguard valuables.

In early America, when cellars were dank, and closets were non-existent, the colonists used chests made of cedar for storing blankets, linens, clothes, and whatever scarce items of finery that they owned.  Since it was also rare to find a chair, the chests served as benches, too.  Truly, these chests were so essential to the households that, according to the logs of several ships that brought settlers to America, they were, frequently, the only possessions that families brought with them.  In later years, that was also the case with many pioneers who were traveling west.

Of course, there was a period in which the cedar chest was commonly referred to as the “hope chest.”  According to the customs of the time, it would be given to a young woman, as a place to keep linens, blankets, tablecloths, towels, quilts, and other things that would be necessary for starting a household when she got married.  Fortunately, however, that tradition has long since faded.

So today, women, and men, are free to use their cedar chests and steamer trunks for storage, or as attractive home accents, without any crazy expectations.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: cedar chest, cedar chests, cherry chests, home accents, jewelry boxes, jewelry chests, oak chests, silverware boxes, steamer trunks, storage boxes, wooden chests, wooden storage boxes

Well, Thanksgiving is only two weeks away; and those who are hosting large get-togethers already have their hands full with preparations for the big day.  Certainly, there are tons of details to be taken care of, from grocery shopping, to house cleaning, to figuring out where to seat everyone.  In order to accommodate all of their guests, people everywhere will be dragging folding tables, folding chairs, picnic table benches, patio chairs, and even outdoor dining tables and kids’ picnic tables, out of their storage sheds.

Of course, these won’t be the only things that will be pulled out of storage in the coming weeks, as decorations will be brought down from attics, and holiday tablecloths will be taken out of cedar chests.

Then, there’s the good silverware, which is essential to elegant holiday table settings, and must be at its brilliant, beaming best.  However, because the services often emerge from their silverware boxes looking less than radiant, many people will have to add “polish the silver” to their to-do lists.  What’s worse is that, sometimes, in trying to make their silverware sparkle, they can, inadvertently, cause damage to it.

That’s why it’s best to know something about silver before you attempt to polish it.  For example, sterling silver is an alloy, comprised of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.  Over time, with use and exposure to air, it can develop a patina, which, in some people’s opinions, makes it more attractive.  Obviously, oxidation also causes the silver to tarnish; and, under very humid conditions, this can happen quickly.

While this is natural, and inevitable, fortunately, the tarnish can be removed, and your silverware can be restored to its original beauty.  That is, as long as you don’t wear rubber gloves while you’re polishing it, as that could cause serious damage.  In fact, rubber can corrode silver badly enough to leave deep etchings, and even wear away intricate, raised designs.  Surely, sometimes, it can scar silver so severely that a skilled silversmith will be its sole salvation.  Never use rubber bands on silver, either, or store it in cabinets or chests that have rubber seals or coverings.

Because acidic foods can also mar silver, be careful about using it to hold, handle, or serve salad dressings, vinegar, olives, eggs, salt, fruit, and fruit juices.  The longer it is exposed to these substances, the more damaged it will become; therefore, if you want to put fruit in a silver bowl, either line it with plastic, or set a glass bowl inside of it.  When you’re not using it, the best place to store your service is in a solid wood silverware box that’s lined with cloth.

So, while the bad news may be that you’ll have to polish the silver in advance of your Thanksgiving dinner, the good news is that it won’t have time to tarnish again before the next special occasion.  Remember, there’s another big celebration just around the corner.  Yep.  This is just a dress rehearsal; or, for those who are going to be cooking another holiday dinner next month, perhaps I should say, dressing rehearsal.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: cedar chests, kids picnic tables, outdoor dining tables, patio chairs, picnic table benches, Silverware Box, silverware boxes, storage sheds

We’re running an exclusive coupon for the dedicated readers of our blog for 15% off plus Free Shipping on all of our cedar chests, cherry chests, and steamer trunks.  All of our home storage is individually handcrafted by American artisans after the order is placed.  So, use these deal now for fantastic holiday gifts!  We have toy boxes too! Simply enter CHEST03 at the check out!

Tags: cedar chests, cherry chests, steamer trunks, toy boxes

This morning, I performed a common autumn ritual.  Perched on my hands and knees, I dug through the bottom of my closet, past the shoes all mis-matched on the floor, past the belts I removed from garments I wanted to wash, and onto the sweaters.  Pushed into a squished back corner of my closet for the summer, my sweaters and sweatshirts are in dire need of a better storage solution.

Sure, they’ll be transferred to my dresser drawers as the weather calls for them more often.  But, then that back corner will turn into the home of bathing suits, tank tops, sun dresses, and flip flops.  Plus, as I pull the sweaters out from the back corner, I’m dreading the seasonal discovery of a moth hole in the elbow of my grandmother’s cashmere cardigan.

The solution, however, is NOT pulling out sweaters that smell like moth balls.  The solution is a beautiful and functional cedar chest. One of the most timeless home accents, cedar chests, like steamer trunks, and toy boxes, are priceless and practical pieces that become a life safer. While, obviously decorative storage can be used to store, well, anything… cedar chests are perfect for storing textiles.

Cedar is rot and decay resistant, but it also highly resistant to insect attack.  No matter what you store in a cedar chest, you will never have to add foul-smelling moth balls.  The rich cedar will naturally deter moths and keep your fabrics beautiful.

Having a spot to switch out seasonal clothes is a great way to keep your closets and dressers clean and organized.  After all, having to push through swim wear to get to your heaviest wool stocking is not going to make you feel any better about braving the snow.  Nor, is it a good use of your space.  Keep a cedar chest as a constantly rotating storage area for clothes that don’t need to be readily available.  It can also be a good place to store formal handbags or shawls that you don’t use all that often, but don’t need to be hung up in a garment bag either.

But, if you thought my sweater-storage system was bad… just wait for my bed linens.  With no linen closet to speak of, I now have all of my winter blankets and extra sheet sets stored in a cardboard box in the basement.  I learned what a terrible idea this was earlier this month when I realized my wool blankets had the distinct musty smell of “the basement.”  This will not be the case next year! I will be placing a cedar chest at the bottom of the bed to fill it with blankets, sheet sets, and maybe even extra pillows.  When it’s time to change the sheets or even just pull an extra blanket out for a cold evening, your linens will be at your finger tips. Plus, there is no greater feeling than pulling heavy blankets out of your cedar chest on a cool autumn evening and smelling that inviting and comforting cedar aroma.

Cedar chests are also perfect for storing towels, bags, fabric, baby clothes, curtains, and whatever else you can think of.  Be kinder to your textiles by storing them in a high quality cedar chest that will deter damage and keep your fabrics organized and fresh.  How will you use a cedar chest this winter?

Tags: cedar chests, steamer trunks, toyboxes

I come from a family of teachers.  My mother, brother, both grandmothers… they’re all teachers.  So, as the last day of August greets me with nearly crisp, almost autumn air… I can not help but think about Fall.  Colorful leaves on sidewalks, book bags, new shoes, and the expectancy of the coming year.  Even though the onset of September means no great transition for me anymore, I still revel in the overwhelming feeling of opportunity.

But as I reflected on the season while gazing out the window above my kitchen sink that overlooks my patio dining set and fully-vined pergola, I could not help but sigh.  Soon, the leaves will wither to leave the bare wood.  Soon, this moment to look out my favorite window (my house has only three windows; but even without a lot of competition, this is one is definitely my favorite) won’t end when I walk outside to sip my coffee at my outdoor table.

I think everyone interested in outdoor living and gardening has a special affinity for gazing out of windows. And so, as autumn comes upon us, it is time to consider top-notch window seating.  My favorite? Cedar Chests. Slid up against a window, it becomes an incredibly functional piece.  Perfect for staring out of windows to see the seasons change, you can fill up cedar chests with nearly anything.  No, I won’t list all the possibilities, because I know that you know that you have a lot of stuff that you need to store no matter what it is. You can get cedar chests with drawers and cabinets for organized storage, or utilize a one-lid, one-box organized chaos of possibilities. It all depends on your style.

If you can find it, find a cedar chest with seat rails.  Outfitted with a chest cushion, you can change the color scheme and look of your window-storage-seat by simply changing out the upholstery.  It’s a great alternative to the built in window seats, because you can take it with you when you move, and it has considerably more character. Style? Function? Versatility? Mobility? Yes. All.

Have Fun!

Hazel.

Tags: cedar chests, chest cushion, outdoor table, patio dining set, pergola

Nearly everything, including the way we dress and decorate, the tools and equipment we use, the food we eat, the places we go, and even the way we live, changes with the seasons.    Consequently, many of our possessions are stored in garages, sheds, attics, and cedar chests, for the better part of the year.

Right now, for example, patio furniture, grills, picnic tables and baskets, shorts, tank tops, lawn games, and mowers, are being used or worn every day.  Two months from now, however, we’ll be packing them up, and getting out our warm clothes, rakes, and fall decorations.

Even those who live in regions where the weather barely changes throughout the year, have to adjust to the seasons.  The only difference is that they don’t have quite as many things to put into storage; and that’s good.  After all, it’s sad when something that has been indispensable for months, suddenly becomes a worthless object that’s merely taking up space.

So, it’s always nice to find ways to be able to use things beyond their traditional seasons.  For instance, many people who live in cold climates enclose their porches, patios, and gazebos, so that they can enjoy their porch furniture year-round.  Millions of people have also decided that their Christmas lights, rather than being buried in boxes, should be strung around their arbors, trellises, and pergolas, to add permanent sparkle to their outdoor décor.

Picnic baskets, too, can be functional all year long; yet, people usually put them away at the end of summer.  That’s a shame, because they sometimes get dirty or damaged, or even gnawed by rodents, during the winter (the baskets, that is, not the people – or so one hopes).  Furthermore, like the other types, picnic baskets are attractive, and available in different designs and colors; and they can serve a number of purposes.

Therefore, it doesn’t make sense to keep them hidden away, especially if you have more than one picnic basket, as many people do.  Keep one on your porch or deck, near your favorite lounge chair, and use it to hold magazines, board games, knitting supplies, binoculars and bird books, or anything else that you want to have handy.

In your pool house, you can fill picnic baskets with towels, tanning lotion, bug spray, hairspray (just don’t get those two mixed up!), or other health and beauty products, for guests to use.  Larger baskets can hold extra blankets or outdoor throw pillows, for those chilly nights when you’re lying in your hammock or swingbed, gazing at the stars.  At backyard parties, put them on your outdoor buffet table, to hold napkins and utensils.

Of course, you can always use picnic baskets in your kitchen.  Fill them with snack foods, such as cookies, crackers, nuts, protein bars, and even cereal, rice, and beans (as long as they’re sealed in plastic bags).  You can also keep napkins and tablecloths in them.

In the summer, drape some cloth napkins in pretty patterns, such as gingham, around the edges of the picnic basket, and put a bouquet of dried flowers on top.  Use russet-colored napkins and, perhaps, dried leaves or Indian corn, in the fall.  At Christmastime, use red and green napkins, along with any of the multitude of seasonal decorations.  When spring comes around, try flowered or pastel napkins, and some colorful flowers.

Truly, if you let your creativity flow, you’ll think of a hundred uses for picnic baskets.  If you can save just one of them from the jaws of a rodent, it will be worth it.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: Arbors, cedar chests, Gazebos, grills, hammock, outdoor buffet table, outdoor decor, patio furniture, Pergolas, picnic tables, Pool house, porch furniture, Sheds, swing bed, trellises

As I pore over books and magazines, looking for holiday decorating ideas, all I see, naturally, are the picture-perfect houses and rooms that everyone wants, but few of us have. I’m sure you get the same feelings from these photographs; it’s just like the one you get when you see clothing models. You think, “Wow! That’s such a great outfit! But will it look that way on me? Heck, no!” Aahhh!!!! Why must they torture us like that?

(A-hem!) Anyway, one advantage that we have now is that holiday decorations can cover up many imperfections. Oh, and remember, as is the case with our personal appearances, we’re likely to be the worst critics of how our homes look (it’s those durned magazines that make us think that way!).

So, what’s the trick to making your home look spectacular when your guests come a-callin’? Well, it’s a lot like pulling off a fantastic illusion by using smoke and mirrors, except that you’ll be using candles and mirrors; and, of course, Christmas lights, ornaments, and other glistening decorations. Word to the wise, they’re your best allies, to dazzle, disguise, and distract the eyes.

Along with the strings of lights that you’re sure to have decorating your rooms and your tree, use candles, placed on mirrors, to create a veritable festival of lights in your home. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, because you can use plain mirrors that you already have hanging around the house, mirrored vanity trays with gilded edges, or even polished silver platters. Set them on end tables, accent tables, cedar chests, buffets, bars, and other wood furniture.

Dim the main lamps, and the overheads, and let the reflective glow conjure a festive, old-fashioned, and very merry, atmosphere. Oil lamps with colored-glass bases, and vases filled with shiny ornaments or clear, multi-colored, decorative stones, will also help to make everything sparkle.

Whether your home is already magazine-worthy, or has that comfortable, lived-in look, these few, inexpensive touches will make it absolutely radiant, and instantly brighten everyone’s spirits.

By the way, another bonus that you’ll get from this will be the undying appreciation of your guests. After all, the candlelight can hide many of their flaws, too.

Yours Outdoors,

Kathy

Tags: accent tables, bars, buffets, cedar chests, end tables, wood furniture

As I was saying, I enjoy trying to find out how our many holiday traditions got started; but each one has so many conflicting versions, that it can be difficult to pinpoint its exact origin.  Still, they’re all pretty entertaining.

 Kissing under the mistletoe, for example, is a strange one.  As one story goes, in ancient Scandinavia, it was a plant of peace; so, if enemies happened to meet under it in the forest, they would put down their arms and observe a truce until the next day.

 Somehow, over time, that led to kissing beneath it.  The thing is that, according to legend, men supposedly had license to kiss women who were standing under it.  BUT (and, as you can see, that’s a big but), afterward, they would pluck a berry from the mistletoe, and when the berries were gone, it was, well, all kissed-out, I guess, and the privilege existed no more.  

 However, like every tradition, it apparently kept on changing, and the berry-plucking eventually ceased.  Of course, although it’s no mystery why men would want to do away with the part that would deprive them of their rights to further kisses, I don’t know whether it was a blatant disregard of convention that caused the modification, or the simple fact that most mistletoe found in homes today is plastic. 

 See?  That’s the even-funnier thing about trying to solve an ancient puzzle; the more pieces you find, the more puzzling it becomes.  In the first place, I can’t imagine what possible good a one-day truce would do anybody, except that, maybe, it gave one party the chance to run away (and live to fight another day!) under cover of darkness.  Otherwise, it seems to be a hollow gesture – kind of like a meaningless kiss.  

 At CedarStore.com, we prefer more solid traditions; and that’s why most of our wood furniture is still hand-crafted in true, Old World style.  This includes our beautiful oak and cherry jewelry chests, jewelry boxes, armoires, silverware boxes, and cedar chests, which make great gifts, not only for Christmas, but for any occasion.  In fact, by giving one, you may start a whole new tradition, as it may end up being passed down for generations. 

 All in all, I’d say that’s much more enduring and meaningful than an insincere kiss under a plastic plant!

 Yours Outdoors,

 Kathy

Tags: armoires, cedar chests, cherry, jewelry boxes, jewelry chests, oak, silverware boxes, wood furniture

Sure, we’re all about outdoor furniture and outdoor living.  However, millions of people have enclosed their porches, patios, gazebos, and decks, in order to bring the outdoors inside.  At the same time, millions more have brought the indoors outside, by turning their yards into virtual outdoor living rooms; and many people have done both.

 More than simply blurring the line between the indoors and the outdoors, this trend has, in many cases, made it all but indistinguishable.  Even so, we haven’t lost sight of it; and that’s why we make furniture that can easily walk that line (hey, it’s got legs, right?).  In fact, it’s so cooperative and agreeable that it can even make your life simpler.  It fits into all of your plans and schemes (uh, design plans and color schemes, that is), and a lot of it is elegant enough to be used in any room in the house.     

 Also willing to work year-round, our patio furniture will come inside and lend a hand – or, in this case, an arm, a leg, or a seat – during this hectic holiday season.  Even when your house is overflowing with guests, they won’t feel slighted – in the slightest – if you seat them at our cherry patio dining set, teak party collection, oak bar set, or any of our polywood, red cedar, or aluminum outdoor dining tables.  They’ll also enjoy relaxing on our gorgeous synthetic wicker chairs, sofas, or loveseats, which feature thick, comfortable furniture cushions.  We also have many pieces, such as our Red Cedar Teagan Table, and our Shea Buffet, that are perfect for holding food, beverages, and hors d’oeuvres. 

 Our products also ease holiday stress by making great gifts.  Besides our wood, metal, and synthetic porch furniture, we have a fantastic selection of accessories, outdoor décor, and home accents, including cedar chests, silverware boxes, jewelry chests, quilt racks, and much more.

Furthermore, if you don’t find what you’re looking for on our site, just call one of our design consultants and ask about having something customized.  You’ll find that they’re every bit as cooperative, agreeable, and obliging as our furniture; but with much better personalities, of course.

 Yours Outdoors,

 Kathy

Tags: cedar chest, cedar chests, dining sets, jewelry boxes, Outdoor Furniture, patio chairs, patio furniture, porch furniture, quilt rack

CedarStore.com is a great place to do your holiday shopping; and we have an immense selection of gifts for people of all ages. 

 For example, there’s the stunning assortment of storage chests in our ‘Home Accents’ section.  Our classic cedar chests, finished to resplendence with a double coat of lacquer, will give any room a warm, inviting glow, as will our gorgeous cherry and oak chests, which are available in several rich wood stains.  To make them even more welcoming, you can turn them into comfortable seats, with our soft, attractive chest cushions, which are made from durable, washable olefin, and offered in several colors and patterns.  

 In addition, we feature solid oak steamer trunks, reminiscent of those that were used during the heyday of steamship travel, that are accented with brass-plated hardware and genuine leather straps, and come with locks and keys.  You’ll also find vintage maple chests that are finished in your choice of four colors of distressed paint, for an authentically antique look, along with white pine chests embellished with  hand-painted designs.

 Besides our storage chests, we have breath-taking, hand-crafted cherry and oak silverware chests, jewelry boxes, and armoires, lined with burgundy or green felt, and offered in six radiant wood tones.

 There’s also a ton of fantastic gifts for children in our ‘Kid’s Korner’ section.  There, you’ll find a huge array of durable scooters and tricycles, constructed with powder-coated steel frames, and available in several bright colors, as well as ultra-sturdy wagons with weight capacities of up to 1,100 pounds. 

 Beyond the toys, we feature a wonderful line of children’s outdoor furniture, which includes kids’ patio chairs, folding chairs, picnic tables, and folding picnic tables.

 If you want to bring the family together, try some of our fun, challenging outdoor games, such as croquet and quoits.  If you’ve never tried quoits before, it’s a game that’s just like horseshoes – well, almost.  But that counts, right?

 Yours Outdoors,

 Kathy

Tags: cedar chests, chests, children's outdoor furniture, jewelry boxes, outdoor games, silverware chests