May

22

12

Memorial Day

 

It is a good thing for us to stop and remember those who have given their lives to preserve the freedoms that we as Americans hold so dear. Our history as a nation is replete with tales of heroism and valor performed by those who wear the uniforms of our military. Whether in the trenches of the First World War, the beaches of France or on Pacific islands during the second, these men did what they had to do. Acts of selflessness and bravery in every conflict are evidence that courage runs deep in the heart of this nation.

The generation that simultaneously defeated the Nazi threat in Europe and the threat of imperial Japan will soon be gone. Sometimes it is difficult to see these elderly, frail gentlemen and imagine what they must have been like it their day. It is difficult to imagine the scale of the wars they fought.

 

Their wars were fought without the benefit of satellite imagery (or even reliable radar for that matter.)  In the era of their war, the internal combustion engine was still relatively new technology. Wagon wheels were not an uncommon site on the battlefield. Casualties regularly numbered in the thousands.

 

Two elderly gentlemen that I know well are in my thoughts as I write this. One served in the Pacific and came under fire twice. The other served in Europe and was one of the first men to arrive in and liberate a German concentration camp. Both are still alive. Both are succumbing to the ravages of time.

 

I know Memorial Day has evolved into a long weekend holiday.  Many people will be going to a barbeque or to the lake or, yes, looking for a furniture sale. I get that, but in the middle of all of the activity let’s not forget to pause for a moment and give thanks for those who gave so much to preserve our freedoms.

 

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

 

                                                                        Tony Thomas

 

May

10

12

Spring Rain

 

Is there anything quite as soothing as the sound of rain gently falling on a sheet metal roof? One of the things we have lost in our ultra energy conscious world is the simple joy of listening to the sound of falling rain. I understand the economics and logic of insulating our homes to the nth degree, but it seems somehow along the way we have insulated ourselves from enjoying the simple things of nature, like the sound of rain.

 

Funny isn’t it? Whether in an isolated rustic cabin deep in the woods or in a modern upscale home in a suburban neighborhood, spring rain is refreshing. Somehow, it brings hope for the coming season. Its sweet smell permeates the air with anticipation of new growth, new life. It is the fragrance of springtime wafting in through open windows.

 

Imagine with me, if you will, an eager gardener curled up in her oversized leather chair or rustic recliner and poring through seed catalogs. Absently she sips from a warm mug, and listens to melodious raindrops falling from the eaves.  The fireplace nearby has grown cold as the spring air has warmed. The fireplace screen has been drawn across the gaping, blackened hole where flames danced not so long ago, and the fire tools have been cleaned and stored neatly to the side. The world outside is silent, except for the sound of rain.

 

 

Meanwhile her child, just home from school, has meandered into his room and crawled up into his bunk bed – just for a minute mind you – but the lullaby of the rain, the softness of the mattress and the caress of the pillow have all proven to be too much. He is fast asleep in the center of a disheveled rustic comforter.

 

He would stay there for hours perhaps, but his mother calls him to supper…it is a day for soup, of course…and she generously fills his bowl. The aroma of homemade soup blends with the crisp scent of rain that drifts in on a moist breeze.  Pleasantly, silently, hungrily, they sit at a simple, barn wood farm house table, enjoying one another’s company and listening to the rhythmic sound of the falling rain...

 

For a refreshing new take on your home's décor, come see us at Southern Creek Rustic Furnishings. It will do your imagination good!

 

Tony Thomas 

 

May

1

12

Where Can a Porch Swing Take You?

 

One of the things I vividly remember about my childhood is my parent’s porch swing. It wasn’t anything fancy. In fact, one of the slats on the seat was broken for several years. That swing was already several decades old when I was a child. Now, several decades later, it is still there.

 

That swing was much more than just a wooden porch swing. It was fertile ground for a boy’s imagination. I have flown combat missions in that swing while my brother sat next to me shooting down bad guys. It served its time in the Wild West as a stagecoach. On more than one occasion we raced it around an Indy car race track, or drove it coast to coast hauling freight. From my perch on that little white swing, I have been able to explore the wonders of the solar system and still be home in time for supper.

 

 

As an adult, for some reason, I find swings relaxing. One of my favorite things in all the world is to sit on my porch swing in the early morning with a cup of coffee watching (or more accurately, listening to) the world wake up. I am convinced that every home (certainly every kid) needs a rustic porch swing.

 

Even a new swing somehow has an inherent rustic quality to it, but an old swing seems to get better with age. Here at Southern Creek Rustic Furnishings we have a selection of teak porch swings made from very old reclaimed wood. These swings are constructed using salvaged parts from old teak farm implements (such as wagon wheels and ox yokes) and fashioning them into the most unique porch / patio furniture you have ever seen. Each piece of this hand crafted furniture is a unique creation in its own rustic way, and is certain to provide years of enjoyment for you and your family!

 

Tony Thomas

 

Apr

26

12

For the Love of Kids!

 

A child’s room without a bunk bed just isn’t complete, or so I’ve been told.  When we put two kids together in a room, and put them to bed at night in a bunk bed, we are giving them our tacit approval to bend the rules just a little. “Go to bed, and be quiet,” we tell them, knowing full well that a few minutes of conspiratorial whispering will occur before they finally do drift off into a peaceful sleep.

 

Bunk beds, of course, were born of necessity. Not so long ago, families typically had more children than they had house, so the bunk bed served as a means of multiplying floor space, but a bunk bed is more than that.

 

A bunk bed lets a kid have his or her own space, while still remaining connected to those closest to him or her. Bunk beds are a lesson in sharing, and in respecting the other guys stuff.

 

 

 

Here at Southern Creek Rustic Furnishing we have a variety of bunk beds from which to choose. We have everything from massive reclaimed rustic barn wood beds to more budget conscious solid wood pine bunk beds.  We can also get bunk beds in natural log cedar or aspen. We can order our rustic bunk beds in the common twin over twin configuration, or a twin over full configuration, or a twin over student desk set up. Twin “extra-long” sizes are also easily available. Of course, we also carry quality mattresses for all of our beds.

 

 

 

(Before you leave our website, be sure to check out the western and rustic comforter sets, as well.)

 

Regardless of the style of rustic bedroom suite you choose, I am quite certain your kids or grandkids will love sleeping in a rustic bunk bed. In fact, I have never seen a child come into the Southern Creek showroom and dislike a bunk bed. Often, people must pry their children loose.

 

 

 

So, if you need a set of solid wood bunk beds at your home, I urge you to stop in and see us. If you want bunk beds for your home (or lake house or lodge or cabin) because you have more kids than house, or if you simply want your kids to experience the camaraderie that bunk beds create, we’ll be glad to show you the coolest children’s bedroom furniture you’ve ever seen!

 

Tony Thomas

 

Apr

23

12

Accessorizing with Antlers and Taxidermy

 

If you have never been into Southern Creek Rustic Furnishings, you really should stop in sometime. Our taxidermy displays are on par with those that you will find at some of the large chain outdoor stores such as Cabellas or Bass Pro Shops. While it is true that some of our taxidermy pieces are privately owned and on loan to us for display, most of our taxidermy is, in fact, for sale.

 

We have a selection of antler chandeliers and lighting fixtures in store and a source where we can get customized pieces on request using real antlers. The really neat thing about our antler light fixtures is that the wiring is all contained within the antlers. This means you can hang it in your rustic home or cabin without having visible wires distracting from the beauty of these works of art. Our antler light fixtures are made exclusively from reclaimed whitetail deer, mule deer and moose antler sheds.

 

Our other taxidermy displays include comedic squirrel mounts and beautiful pheasants (standing or in flight). Mischievous raccoons are also a frequent favorite. One multi-animal mount we feature is known as “Noah’s Ark”. The Noah’s Ark mount has two raccoons, a possum, an otter, and even a skunk rowing a birch bark canoe! This is certainly a standout piece of décor for your rustic home or lodge.

 

Additionally, we have a large selection of full size bovine (cow or bull) hides. These are very versatile pieces of rustic or western home decoration. Hide are easy to maintain and very durable. Hides can be used as western accent throws for sofas. Hides can be used as a rustic rug in your living room, den or dining room. Cowhides can also be used as wall hangings.

 

Nothing gives a home that “lodge” feel quite like taxidermy. So, whether you need a pheasant in flight, a bobcat in action, a mischievous raccoon or shoulder mount elk, we have it all, right here at Southern Creek Rustic Furnishings.

 

Tony Thomas

 

Apr

19

12

The Appeal of Simplicity

 

As I walk around our showroom here at Southern Creek Rustic Furnishings I am constantly reminded of the cowboy heroes of a bygone era.  From behind framed glass, the black and white images of John Wayne, the Lone Ranger, and Roy Rogers (among others) peer out.

I think it is the simplicity of the storylines that made those characters so timeless. Good guys wore white hats. They played fair, and they eventually won. Perhaps the plots of those stories were a bit too simplistic to be realistic. Sometimes the acting was a tad mediocre. Who cares? There is nothing wrong with wanting to reclaim a little simplicity in life. (Besides, who wouldn’t like to a have a revolver that would shoot twenty times without reloading?)

 

The truth is something in all of us wants to reclaim a little simplicity. That, I think, is the appeal of rustic furniture. Whether you are looking for a reclaimed teak wagon wheel dinette or a reclaimed barn wood bed, it is the inherent simplicity, the authenticity of real wood and genuine nail holes, old hammer dents and saw marks, which ultimately lure us in.   

The bonus is that when you purchase reclaimed rustic furniture you are, generally speaking, getting good stuff.  A bed made from seasoned one-hundred-year-old timbers will last far longer than an inexpensive import made of inferior “wood product”.  Anything you see in our store that is made from reclaimed wood (whether teak or barn wood) is ultimately a one-of-a-kind piece.

 

What is the story of this old wood? I expect every piece of this old barn wood has seen generations of horses, cows, sheep or goats come and go. Often these old barns have outlasted their builders by generations. Many of these timbers and boards were sawn and erected when animals pulled the plows and served as the primary means of transportation.

If this wood could talk there is no telling what stories we would hear. Unfortunately, we will never know the secrets contained in the history of these timbers, but when you take a piece of this furniture home with you, you can be sure it will become a part of your family’s story for years to come!

 

Tony Thomas

 

Apr

18

12

Just in, Civil War Art

 

 A rich Civil War heritage surrounds us here at Southern Creek Rustic Furnishings. Because of this, we have partnered with one of our vendors to bring a beautiful collection of confederate artwork to our showroom.

 

While the battles and skirmishes fought near here (our town was called “Fairview” before the war) never gained the notoriety of Gettysburg or other battles in the East, there was a considerable amount of military activity in our region of Arkansas.

A few miles to our west is a little town now known as Cedar Grove. Thousands of people pass through it every year on their way to Greer’s Ferry Lake. Today it is little more than a church, a cemetery and cluster of houses and rustic barns. Once it was a thriving little town known as Alonzo. Alonzo was burned by Union forces during the Civil War and never really recovered.

 

The White River, a few miles to our north, was for several months the boundary between the North and South. The Union had occupied Batesville, and the Confederacy, under Col. Cleburne, kept watch on them from the south side of the river.

 

Skirmishes were fought throughout our area at places like Salado Creek, Dripping Springs, and what was then known as Searcy Landing.

 

Here at Southern Creek Rustic Furnishings, much of our furniture harkens back to a time when rustic was a way of life. That was a time when everything, from your furniture to your barn to your wagon wheels, was made of real wood. Many of the things we have displayed in our showroom would still be right at home if we could reclaim that bygone era.

So, it is only fitting that we include Civil War art in our gallery. We now have limited edition prints and giclees from notable artists Mort Kunstler and John Paul Strain.  These are not battle scenes. This artwork depicts the romance and tragedy of the era. Some are paintings of soldiers on parade in quaint, rustic towns. Others depict a husband leaving for war while his wife is left standing in front of their log cabin, rustic barn and primitive corral, which holds a single cow. Hide out and battle scenes of the War Between the States are certainly important works of art, but the artists we are showcasing have dug deeper, to explore the deep elements of human emotion. They have reclaimed for our consciousness the courage and sacrifice made by those left at home…the women of the Civil War.

 

Tony Thomas

 

Nov

1

11

Rustic on a Budget

Rustic furniture and western furniture can be very expensive. Most of the time the furniture is hand crafted, built of solid wood and unique in design. For this reason, rustic furniture is not made to be stream lined in a factory like simpler styles of furniture. 

However, here at Southern Creek Rustic Furnishings we do our best to give our customers the best value for their dollar. Here are a few pictures of some new rustic furniture we have put in the store at great value prices. This furniture is made in the USA, built of solid wood by experienced craftsmen and has the added value of being very affordable. 

This is a great rustic Hickory Futon Sofa. You can customize the fabric as well.

Here is a stationary Hickory Sofa and Club Chair & Ottoman. The rustic hikcory coffee table and end table are great accents with a beautiful hickory wood top. Customized fabric selection available for no additional charge.

This Rustic Red Pine Futon Sofa looks great in cabins and rustic homes. The Rustic Pine coffee table and end tables are good accents with an awesome live edge on the table tops.

This is an awesome new line we are carrying. These are rustic pine occasional tables built from salvaged wine barrels and crates. The legs on these tables are actually old wine barrel staves. They are an awesome rustic look at a great price. 

 

We know times are tough right now, but that doesn't mean you have to stray away from the decorating style you love! That's why we will continue to find good quality, rustic furniture at value prices!

 

Aug

5

11

Cattle Baron Sofa

     The newest addition to our showroom is this awesome Cattle Baron Sofa and Chair. This set is made by King Hickory in North Carolina. It's rustic yet elegant, western yet refined. This is the kind of rustic living room set that you would see in a New Mexico parlor room. It carries the hint of victorian styling but creates its own rustic and western feel with a band of brindle cowhide on the base, antiqued nailhead trim, a plush top grain leather and warm farbic tones that compliment rustic and western decor.

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King Hickory is one of our favorite leather and upholstery manufacturers for high quality craftsmanship andunique, rustic looks. We carry their Highlands Collection of fabric and leather, a rich and rustic collection of designer fabrics and vintage designs. The leathers of King Hickory are second to none with deep colors and textures for every style. Find out more about King Hickory at kinghickory.com.

 

 

Jun

23

11

The Ol' Bullhide

   One of my favorite products that I sell in the store are Brazilian bull hides. These massive hides are unique, colorful and extremely enticing to the eye. I am so fond of these bull hides that I wish I could put one in every room of my home! However, I am told that nurseries and bull hides don't mix.

   Many customers, when flipping through my table display of a dozen or so hides, ask me where and how they can use them in their home. The answer to that question is anywhere your heart desires! We use them as area rugs, wall coverings, folded over sofas and chairs, hang them as curtains and drapes or messily throw one on a large ottoman. They are extremely versatile with all types of decorating styles. In fact, although we are mostly a rustic and western furniture store, the contemporary/modern designers are grabbing up these hides as well!

   I just recently painted my office and hung a beautiful "paint" bull hide on one side. These hides look awesome over boldly colored walls like my rust colored office or over any type of wood. Simple finishing nails can be nailed through the hide to hang it up, but it helps to have two or more people to stretch it out!

   So, the next time you are thinking about sprucing up a room, think about adding a little warmth and character with a bull hide. It's an inexpensive way to immediately make a room stand out.

 

Jun

29

10

The Differences of Leather

Many customers are confused with the various titles of leather. Top Grain Leather, Split Leather, Genuine Leather, Full Grain Leather, etc. So what exactly is the difference between these leathers and does it matter when selecting leather upholstery? I can tell you shortly, it matters!

 

Leather is the general term for all hides and skins that have been tanned. This explains the various price points between “All Leather” recliners, sofas and chairs. You must look deeper to understand what type of leather you are purchasing.

 

After a hide is tanned, it goes through a splitting machine consisting of a large wire cutter. The thickness of these splits depend on the end use of the leather; thin slices for clothing and thicker for upholstery. The top portion of these hides are called “Top Grain.” The second cut or underside is called the “Split” or “Crust” and the third cut, if there is a third cut, is also called a split. Splits are processed as suede and also processed with chemicals and corrected grain plating to make it look like top grain. These splits offer the consumer lower priced leather goods.

 

Leather is a fibrous material which allows for breathability and strength. The fibers are very strong on the grain side (top side) and weaken as you get deeper into the hide. Most splits are used for shoes, apparel or lower quality leather upholstery. This split leather is not as durable, resistant or as flexible as top grain leathers.

 

At Southern Creek Rustic Furnishings, we mainly carry top grain leathers because of its strength and overall comfort. Top grain leathers adjust to body temperature. This is why you will never feel sticky or cold on top grain leather. The opposite is true for vinyl and split leathers, as experienced with most leather car seats.

I hope this clears up the differences between leathers. If you are shopping around for leather upholstery, don’t be fooled by a marketing advertisement promoting “All Leather Recliners.” Ask the sales associate what type of leather this consists of and make sure you get a straight answer. If you are looking for the most comfortable and longest lasting leather upholstery, don’t settle for anything less than top grain leather.

 

Jun

8

10

Arkansas Women's Show

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Come join us at the Arkansas Women's Show in Little Rock this weekend June 12th-13th. The expo will be held at the Verizon Arena. The expo will be open Saturday 10-6 and Sunday Noon-5.

 

 

Paula Deen, Mandisa and other special guests will host an array of shows and events.

 

Come visit Southern Creek Rustic Furnishings at the show. We will be in booth numbers 113 and 114. We will have Special Market Value pricing and new products to show off! We hope to see you there at the Arkansas Women's Show this weekend!

May

26

10

Memorial Day Sale

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Come visit us and save with our Memorial Day Sale!

• 40% off Club Chairs and Recliners
• 25% off Framed Artwork from our extensive Western and Rustic Art Gallery
• 25% off ALL Mattresses
• 20% off our Real Antler Products inclduing Chandeliers, Lamps and Home Decor
• 20% off Taxidermy Items
• Take an additional 10% off ALL Clearance Items!
• Active Duty and Veterans receive an additional 10% off any purchase!

These deals won't last long! So come on in and let us help you furnish your dream home!

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May

22

10

Rustic Home Office

Check out this home office project. This family took a boring office and made a rustic masterpiece.

Rustic Home Office

 

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Mar

23

10

Spring Decorating

Spring time has finally arrived! Here in Arkansas, the Bradford Pears are blooming and the warmer air and sunshine are sneaking in. Spring has always been one of my favorite seasons. It's a time of new beginnings and life. If you're like me, you have a to-do list about a mile long and not near enough time!

Many of our customers have been sharing with us their spring remodeling ideas. With tough economic times at hand, many are opting to work on one room at a time. I have compiled a list of some of the neat projects my customers are undertaking.

• Changing out an old and outdated light fixture for a new rustic look.
• Sprucing up a bedroom with a new western bedspread.
• Adding a couple reclaimed wood accent chairs to enliven a boring living room corner.
• Purchasing a rustic floor lamp or set of table lamps to add light and style.
• Changing out old pillows on their sofa and chairs.
• Repainting walls and adding a cowhide or rustic rug to add color to a neutral room.
• Switching out their old mattress for one of our Justice Premium Mattresses.

It's always an exciting time to redecorate a home. It adds character and life to your abode. I'm often asked, "What is your favorite part about working in home furnishings and furniture?" My answer is always the same, especially this time of year; working with customers and sharing in their excitement of turning a normal space into an incredible rustic room filled with their own personality! I would love to hear more ideas of what you are doing to spruce up your house this spring. Feel free to add your comments, whether it is a simple do-it-yourself project or a plan to switch out old furniture. Happy Spring!

Sep

21

09

Our Mission

Have you ever watched an old western movie and wished that your home could resemble that rustic style? Have you ever flipped through rustic home furnishing magazines and made a silent vow to decorate your rooms with top grade leathers, reclaimed wood and antler lighting? Or have you ever stayed in a lodge and left with a feeling of envy to anyone who lives surrounded by those beautiful and unique rustic pieces? If you were to ask me any of those questions, I would answer with an astounding YES!

At Southern Creek Rustic Furnishings, we don't just sell the rustic and western furniture pieces...we help make your decorating ideas come to life. There is nothing more exciting than to help someone find the furniture and home decor that they have always dreamt of having. My favorite customers are those who want something very unique and particular. Whether it's a custom entertainment console made out of aspen logs or a leather sofa that matches perfectly with the colors in a home, I love the feeling of satisfying my customers.

We are constantly updating our web site to find unique pieces to fit everyone's taste and budget. Our showroom in Pleasant Plains, Arkansas is filled with unique rustic pieces from reclaimed barn wood and teak to top grade leathers and upholstery. So, if you're ready to turn your dreams into a reality, stop in and see us or give us a call at 501-345-8888. Decorating your home exactly how you want it is at your fingertips here at Southern Creek Rustic Furnishings!