Its the art of stacking reclaimed wood. Shane Schaaf, owner of Soaringrock Design and Earthscape Stoneworks, has dubbed it woodgraphing. It looks rustic, but this isnt just something for your cabin outside Duluth or up north room. Woodgraph is finding its place in fine design through sculptural panels, backsplashes and accent walls for even the most contemporary of homes. The inspiration for woodg
raph initially came from Schaafs grandpa, Joe, who glued scraps of wood together to make striking pieces of art. While Schaaf is a stone mason by trade, hes been experimenting with wood for years. One of his first creations was a mix of both stone and wood for an interior fireplace. He was soon captivated by the natural beauty of stacking reclaimed wood. It has the aesthetic of stonework, but the warmth of woodwork, Schaaf says. Stone doesnt always feel warm and fuzzy, but wood can. Done this way, for some reason, it just feels good. His distinctive designs are made of hand-hewn beams, antique lumber, barn boards and re-milled woods gathered from old barns, wood fences and even brewery vats. Each one tells its own story. Lumber includes everything from elm and ash to redwood and cedar. Schaaf sources most of his materials from Antique Woodworks, a company based in nearby Norwood, Minn. He is especially drawn to pieces with nostalgic value to customers, such as wood from an old family barn or shed. You cannot re-create reclaimed wood. Thats the beauty of it, Schaaf says. And thats so important in a world thats really starving for authenticity and authentic craftsmanship. The possibilities are truly endless. Schaafs woodgraph designs are custom-made to fit any space (inside or outdoors). His work encompasses everything from the very abstract to the very traditional, he says, citing his attractive argyle and herring-bone patterns. Schaaf also plays with texture and stains, including sandblasting. I love that its a fresh approach to using reclaimed wood in fine design. It gives you authentic wood installed in a custom design, says Schaaf. I really want to inspire people.
