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How fortunate we are to wake every morning in the middle of one of the world’s unique treasures. The Appalachian Hardwood forest, wellspring of the finest furniture making material in the world, covers 200,000 square miles of spectacular high country, from New York to Alabama. The story of this ecoregion spans epochs, enfolds massive geological events and, as it has for generations, touches the lives and livelihoods of friends and neighbors. Dive into the history of Appalachian Hardwoods and, like us, be amazed and grateful.

Founding father and renowned penny-pincher Ben knew what was up 250 years ago when he said: “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.” Interior designer Tiffany Cassidy updates that axiom for anyone buying furniture in the 21st Century like so: “The thing about fast furniture is you get what you get and you don’t get upset.” Caveat emptor — let the buyer beware — was coined for products exactly like fast furniture. There is a hidden price to pay for lower-cost flash, especially when we’re talking about items you live with, interact with and rely on every day. 

America is throwing away furniture at a disturbing clip. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 12 million tons, 450% more per year than in 1960, now finds its way into landfills. 

The problem accelerated with the arrival of Covid. That event seemed to trigger consumers’ willingness to make larger purchases online, leading to a rapid rise in “fast furniture” — relatively inexpensive, trendy, made from substandard materials and designed to catch your eye, last for a year or two and then fall apart so you must buy again. It has given a whole new meaning to “one nightstand.”

As you shop Gat Creek for your home you will want all the information you can gather with material and finish undoubtedly at the top of your list.

Whether your interest is in one of our ash, cherry, maple or walnut finishes, you will want to review wood finish samples in your home to evaluate the grain feel and color value. These 6” x 3” real wood samples are the closest possible representations of the materials and finish we use to build our furniture. Paint finish samples are much easier to make and less expensive to sample but just as valuable. These extra large paint chips are generously sized at 5.5” x 3.5”.

For furniture companies manufacturing overseas, maximizing profits means using cheap labor and lesser quality materials, guessing consumer tastes well into the future, shipping many container loads, warehousing the stock and waiting for buyers. Inevitably, the goods that go unsold end up in the landfill to make room for the next wave of shipping containers. That model was always a no-go for Gat Creek. “A sustainable manufacturing model is what we have long been about, building to order and still being competitive with international businesses,” Gat Caperton said. “Our customer wants to pay for beautiful wood, finish and craftsmanship. So that’s what we invest in and get rid of everything else.”

Perhaps you’ve been to the lumber store recently to pick up some 2x4s or fence pickets for a repair job. There’s a good chance you experienced a mild cardiac event when you saw the prices. 

“Softwoods like two by fours are up three or four times. For us, we have a short-term bump in pricing of thirty to forty percent,” said Gat Caperton. And in hardwoods, the supply side is robust.

Considering Americans spend about 65% of their lives inside their homes, we should all be asking hard questions about indoor air quality. Recent studies have found the quality of the air we breathe is significantly impacting our overall health.

“Poor indoor air quality has been linked to asthma and other respiratory illnesses,” said Jonsara Ruth, design director at the Healthy Materials Lab for the Parsons School of Design in NYC. “Even diseases like obesity are related to long-term exposure to the chemicals that off-gas from furniture, carpet, and paint."

This island romance began in 2013 at High Point Market, the world’s largest home furnishings industry trade show. Interior designer Tiffany Cassidy, based out of St. Thomas, V.I., and a friend were doing laps from floor to floor around the show, killing time before an appointment.

“I would have just breezed right by the Gat Creek showroom,” Tiffany recalled. “It was my friend who put the brakes on, and in we went." That, as they say, was the beginning of a beautiful relationship, one many might not have expected.

At Gat Greek, we get a warm feeling inside knowing that part of our sustainable story is making the most of the lumber we purchase. Through no small effort, 90% of the heat for our facility is provided by wood scrap that would otherwise end up in the landfill. During those crisp late fall days or in the middle of a West Virginia winter, we are reminded of the benefits every time we enter the shop to find it toasty warm. Sometimes, we even take the time to reflect on how this simple idea contributes to conserving natural resources and reducing our carbon footprint.