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Log Gems—by Eric Hiss

RedwoodSalvageSales.com

Published in Robb Report Luxury Home Magazine, Summer 2006.
DESIGN Elements > Log Gems by Eric Hiss.

Robb Report - Luxury Home

Old growth salavage redwood paneling."I first got wind of it in a bar from some brothers who looked like they were straight out of ZZ Top," says Arky Ciancutti, a former emergency room physician who built the Brewery Gulch Inn in Mendocino, California.

Ciancutti is speaking of the legacy of the logging boom in the Mendocino area, which corresponds with the Gold Rush in the mid-19th century, when massive logs—some more than 16 feet in diameter—were transported to waiting ships via the Big River in massive flows set off by dynamiting temporary dams. "Sinkers" were logs that went straight down instead of finding their way to the river mouth, and were rumored to lie at the bottom like buried treasure for more than 100 years.

This "red gold" led Ciancutti and a partner to risk life and limb searching the cold currents of Big River for two years with nothing more than a rudimentary pontoon skiff and a 5-ton hand winch. The operation netted Ciancutti close to 120,000 board feet of the extraordinary, tight-grained wood, which had mineralized underwater to create exquisite patinas of blond, burgundy and deep cinnamon. Now he offers some through his company, Redwood Salvage Sales.

Designers and builders from as far away as Japan and Australia have acquired one-of-a-kind pieces for projects ranging from guitars to trophy homes, but perhaps the best showcase is Ciancutti's Brewery Gulch Inn (The Inn is now owned and operated by Guy and Sarah Pacurar). Located on an historic property that was Mendocino's first brewery, the 10-room inn utilizes the salvaged wood throughout, including the lobby's cathedral ceiling, paneled great room, beams, private decks and windows, which frame ocean views from what can only be described as the world's most exquisite treehouse.

Robb Report - Luxury Home - Summer 2006 (page 125)

Robb Report - Luxury Home BUILDERnews Sawmill and Woodlot Magazine The San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Magazine

Own a Piece of California State History All of our wood is clear all heart salvaged old growth redwood. This salvaged sunken redwood has ax-shaved ends, meaning it was cut before the late-1800s. OriginallyAx-shaved endharvested between 1850 and 1910, this redwood falls into three distinct time periods: 1) A V-shape or "beaver-cut" meant that a log was felled with an axe between 1850 and 1876, when the labor- and time-saving raker-tooth saw was invented. 2) Logs cut with a saw and dragged to the river by mules or oxen were first shaved or edged around their circumference to prevent snagging. Learn more...

Fine Craftsmen and WoodworkersWe gladly interface with owners, contractors, architects, builders, designers and/or their agents to provide you our beautifully colored salvaged redwood. We know old growth redwood and what it can do. Custom bed by Greg GagnonWe hand select every piece of wood we sell, and we absolutely guarantee its quality. Redwood Salvage Sales arranges custom milling to any specifications you define in vertical, flat or mixed grains, and ship directly to your home or workplace. We can ship domestic and internationally. Our orders are shipped to you with no waste at all, every stick usable for its intended purpose. Learn more...

Brewery Gulch InnAWARD WINNINGFournded and built by Arky Ciancutti with his eco-salvaged redwood, Gourmet Magazine (August, 2002) said, "this stylish new hotel sets a SoHo standard for design..." Wine Enthusiast (March, 2003) said that, partly due to this wood, the inn is "A masterpiece of style and design." Sky Magazine (Delta Airlines) wrote in June, 2003, that ...."wood connoisseur Ciancutti used the wood as lavish trim, a worthy tribute to those ancient trees." Learn more....

Myrtlewood AvailableMyrtlewood pieceAll-burl Myrtlewood is available here at Redwood Salvage Sales. We have Myrtlewood slabs 2-1/4" to 3-1/4", all 10' long, up to 44" wide, all book-matched. Air-dried 6 years indoors. One of a kind pieces. Some beautiful furnishings and items have been created by our local craftsmen.

Customer ReviewsCustomer installing their new redwood panelingAnother happy customer installing their new redwood paneling says, "They look beautiful!"—Los Angeles

Read what other customers have to say at our Customer Reviews.

In The NewsMyrtlewood pieceMagazine articles about Redwood Salvage Sales by Robb Report Luxury Home; BUILDERnews; Sawmill & Woodlot Magazine; and The San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Magazine. Check it out!

The Salvage StoryA man's journey from doctor to innkeeper in Mendocino County began with dredging sunken timber out of Big River...the recovery of a lost treasure of Northern California!

Green Benefits and Durability of RedwoodRedwood repels termites and its ability to resist rot enables it to last for generations—superb green architect resources for your green dream home! Learn more...


CALL US FOR A PRICE QUOTE: (707) 937-2144
Buy exotic timber direct from Arky Ciancutti, M.D. We arrange custom milling to any specifications you define.
We will work with you, your architect and/or your builder; and ship domestic and international.

Arky sitting by salvaged redwood logs

Phone or email your inquiry to us at arky@redwoodsalvagesales.com.

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