Friday, October 30, 2015

Firewood Storage - Solved!

Remember way back when I wrote a post about my firewood storage quandary?  Well, I think I may have solved it!!

My sweetie thinks I'm nuts. That's no secret. 

He doesn't always understand the way my brain works. 

I like to think outside the box. Just because everyone says it is so....doesn't make it so. 

Sweetie wanted me to get one of those metal ring things that holds firewood. Like this. 

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But to me, this item serves absolutely no other purpose. It doesn't satisfy my need for items to do double duty. 

I have always lived in small homes. When you live in a small home every large item you own must be functional and if it does double duty? All the better. 

And I re-purpose things constantly. Just because the title says it's a dry sink, why can't it be a bar?

Right. So, I wanted to use a console for firewood storage. Yes, a console. Why not?

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I like the way the top of the piece is used for display. And it's a functional piece of furniture, not just a metal ring. And let's face it, this is a far more attractive way to store wood than the metal ring. 

Sorry, sweetie. 

I've been getting daily emails from Brad's Daily Deals - have you heard of them? 

What? No? Ok you have to sign up right now. No, wait until you finish reading this post. And leaving a comment. Then you can go sign up!

Anyway, Brad's Daily Deals had this bookcase tower at Kohl's as one of their daily deals. 

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$60.00. Can you believe it? I actually ordered two. I mean, come on, you can always use another bookcase somewhere. I figured if it was really awful I would use it in the shed for flower pots and such. 

Except it wasn't awful at all - I actually really liked it! And it's super sturdy! I used one in my lower level for all my yoga and workout stuff....which, by the way, isn't getting enough use. But that's another story for another day. 

The second bookcase tower I tried out in different spots upstairs until I finally had the brainstorm that it might just do the trick for firewood storage. 

I loaded it up and prayed the shelves would be strong enough to hold the wood. I figured worst case scenario I'm out $60. 

And I waited. And I used up the wood. And I loaded it up again. And it still didn't collapse in a heap. It's been emptied and loaded quite a few times at this point. 

So I think we're good! I have firewood storage that is not only attractive but also holds a lamp and some of my plants. And can easily be re-purposed elsewhere if I decide to go a different route with the firewood storage. 


I took these photos the other night during a monster rain storm. It was so cozy inside with the fire going and the rain pouring down and the wind whipping everything around outside. I was completely and utterly content. Isn't that the best feeling?


And my little firewood tower in the corner is just perfect!! It holds three big loads of wood, which is about all I can get my daughter to bring in at a time anyway (you know, at 24 years old every tiny chore is such a huge deal, right? Whatever. Don't get me started.) 


My new fireplace insert is so energy efficient - I absolutely love it. At night when I'm going to bed I put in about 4 good size pieces of wood - it keeps going all night long. I wake up to a toasty warm house. 

The great thing about that is I won't go through near as much wood as I did in my last home - which was a rental - the wood stove in that house just inhaled wood! It was so drafty and old - both the stove and the house! Yes, it was better than not having a wood stove at all....but just barely. 

The new insert I bought for this home is a wonderful investment and will pay for itself in no time. Remember the insert that was here when I bought the house?  Yeah, it had to go. No doubt. 


The firewood tower tucks in so nicely into the corner. I have a little round antique wooden box next to it on the floor that holds fatwood (a natural fire starter) and a larger antique wooden picnic basket that holds kindling and/or fatwood, along with gloves, a lighter, etc. The basket next to the hearth is full of puppy toys. Yup, and there's another full basket of puppy toys downstairs. Spoiled, much? 


My little Monkey likes it - what do you think?


19 comments:

  1. What a charming solution! It fits your home and style perfectly. We have a gas fireplace now, converted it a few years ago. No wood here, just a remote control. I still can't find a good place to store that sucker though! ;)

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    1. Thanks so much, Kim!! I have a gas fireplace in my bedroom and I have to admit I love it. It's so easy to put it on for a short while to take the chill out of the air. But I still love burning wood - as long as I'm able to carry the wood up the stairs I guess I'll keep burning wood for heat. And when I no longer can....I guess I convert to gas!

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  2. I think that's rather brilliant! The firewood looks great over there in the corner and it all adds to the cozy factor in the room. ;)

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    1. Brilliant? I love that!! Thanks, Stacey! It is cozy, isn't it?? :)

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  3. It looks great, and when it is warm you can use it for something else. Perfect! xoox Su

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    1. That's exactly what I was thinking!! Thanks, Su, for visiting and for your sweet comment!

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  4. I agree it looks really good! I think you created a perfect solution!
    Happy Halloween,
    Jemma

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    1. Thanks, Jemma - same to you! I doubt I'll get any kids knocking on my door up on this hill but I'm ready with the candy just in case!

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  5. What do I think? I think this solution is sheer genius and probably something I would have done 'cause let's face it, I'm a genius too ;).

    I love Brad's Deals! I got TWO really, REALLY good quality office chairs from them...the kind that swivel, have high backs, go up and down...pretty much they do everything except write blog content for me (I'm working on that part) for...wait for it...wait for it...

    $80 including shipping!! Can you stand it?!

    As for you young lady, take that yoga mat out of hiding and do an awesome downward dog. Just don't pretend it's a plank, ok? ;)

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    1. Well from one genius to another - YOU'RE A RIOT, LADY!! Wow that's quite the deal for those office chairs! I have gotten SO.MUCH.STUFF. from Brad's - including bags, boots, sheets, curtains....you name it!!
      Oh...the yoga mat.....yes, I must. But perhaps a hike today instead since it's such a lovely day in the mountains! I'll have to bring my bear bell. Yes, I have one....sad, huh?

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  6. Awesome! We have a gas fireplace, but some years ago we lived in Maryland and had a wood burning fireplace and always had to stack it next to the fireplace.... the wood burned very fast, so we were constantly tending to it and needing to bring more firewood in from outside. Love that you found a solution and can now have extra firewood when needed. xo

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    1. Thanks! The wood on the firewood tower seems to last about 2 - 3 days now....we'll see what it's like in the heart of winter but anything to keep me from running outside in the snow in the wee hours for more wood is a blessing!!

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  7. You DO think outside the box...what a clever idea!

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  8. You DO think outside the box...what a clever idea!

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  9. I loved this! I want to comment on all three of the last posts- cappucinos with mama are my favorite! Also, the photo looks so cozy- I knew you would end up putting wood over there! Amanda

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  10. I love your indoor wood storage solution! It's so great that when wood burning season is over, you will be able to use it somewhere else. You are very clever. I would have never thought of this, but when my house is built, I a going to copy-cat your idea ;)

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    1. Thanks, Vickie! It really turned out very well and so far the shelves have held up just fine! Feel free to copy cat all you want - :)

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