Oh January - you have a tendency to bring out big feels and emotions. There's pressure to turn the tides and set the tone as the calendar signals a brand new year. But here in New England it's cold - there's limited hours of light. If you're not up in the mountains skiing or being cozy in the lodge (me, I am the cozy one), there's an inner pull to hibernate.
Despite it being a slower time for us retail-wise, the pace allows us to have more meaningful exchanges with clients as they come through the shop. The start of the year has brought in the kinds of conversations that give depth to a more dormant season and current world events. We love these opportunities and it's been such a reminder that we have been in Scituate for a long time. People have been shopping with us since the days when we sold out of our garage - we've gotten to know a lot about them and their families.
As I'm huddled with my coworker Jill above the shop in our loft office mapping out BirchBarn 2026 (or deciding which social media trends I am going to let her nudge me to do) we can see customers' cars pull up from the window. I get my steps in running up and down those stairs. I would never cheapen the conversations I get to have with customers by sharing those details here. But I will say I have been humbled with gratitude by the stories they have shared recently. I've learned that gifting BirchBarn boards has became a tradition within families, and also how the loss of loved ones has brought groups of friends closer together.
Between these conversations and the gritty nitty of the state of world affairs, I feel there seems to be a deep need for people to connect with each other sans devices. We're craving analog moments. I'm pretty sure Matt had just that in mind when he built this multi-functional console table for our daughter. He designed it specifically with the intent to have a place to construct Lego toys with her.
This console was built to designate a place to display their interlocked plastic building block masterpieces that they make together. But he also made it full size with a timeless design as he saw this console as something she would take to college - place in her first apartment. Choosing strong, hard and resilient white oak to last a lifetime. The console was also crafted to include mortise and tenon joinery, which interlocks just like a Lego, featuring the initial of her first name. See the M in the corners of the console and note the heart in the middle.
Before it became Lego-central, we staged a few photos to highlight its multi-functionality as a wooden piece of furniture as we think this design could work for a variety of purposes. The bespoke white oak shelves are another example of some of the wooden elements we often create in addition to countertops and tables for clients and builders.
So if you're searching for some analog moments in 2026, want to create the space or vessels for those moments to be had, shoot us an email. If you have an idea in mind for a custom piece, something that you can't quite find in a store and or want to design a piece that will carry through the different eras in your life or that of a loved one, send us a quick note down below and we can set up a consult.
