Marc Spaak of Quality Barnwood stands next to a 46-inch vanity in his workshop to showcase all the knots, natural edges, and crevices defining its authentic character.
Spaak had just spent hours cleaning, cutting, and sanding old wooden beams to reclaim pieces of Michigan’s rural history.
“Want to see me get geeked?” he asked, directing attention to the planks of barn wood lining the wall behind him. “That is what I get geeked about. We don’t care about it. We forget what it took to make these.”
Early boards were cut and shaped with hand tools in a process known as hand-hewing. Spaak pointed out marks in several boards made by axes and hatchets prior to the 20th century.
Rather than retrieving wood from unstable or torn down barns, some rustic design enthusiasts have taken extraordinary measures to make freshly cut boards appear old again.
“It’s not about that for me,” Spaak said. “It's about how I give back to the guys who made them and built with them.”
Spaak uses barnwood to create just about everything: kitchen cupboards, vanities, coffee tables, cutting boards, picture frames, dressers, etc.
“I don’t cheapen materials on products,” he said, referring to soft-close drawers and cupboards with European style hinges.
The woodworker works an average of 100 hours per week to ensure his customers get the finished products they requested.
“I take a lot of pride in what I do,” said Spaak. “If I see something wrong, I fix it. People will tell me what they are looking for. It is about understanding the customer. Everybody’s definition of ‘rustic’ is different. Seeing their vision takes a lot of work, but it’s about understanding their expectations and letting it fly.”
Although Spaak was uncomfortable referring to himself as an artist, former art teacher Judith Newsom did not hold back compliments when describing the 90-inch vanity he made for her home.
“His work is outstanding,” she said. “He is very creative. He is unlike anybody I have ever seen when he does something. His work is exceptional.”
Husband Dave Newsom, retired enigneer for International Harvester Company, said he would be sending friends Spaac’s way.
“You will not find items like this in a box store,” Newsom said.
The couple had just finished hanging lights over their new vanity last week when they sent Spaak some pictures. The black walnut top shining below offered just enough accent to give off the rustic vibes they were looking for.
“When he visits a house, he builds something that fits it,” said Newsom.
Spaak has built quite the following as well, selling his work all over the Great Lakes state.
When Spaak first entered the woodworking realm a few years back, he had no idea where that road would lead.
What started as a hobby naturally transitioned into a labor of love. He had found his calling.
Spaak formed the Rustic Walls Networking Group to exchange ideas and chat with people who shared similar interests.
"I spent time talking to members of the group, and would be on the phone until 3 a.m.," said Spaak. "I started to realize it would take a lot of my time. There were a lot of very talented people doing this."
Spaak soon learned that many woodworkers lacked the skills necessary to sell and advertise, so he started listing their items online. He did this for a while prior to giving it a real go himself.
Spaak's portfolio speaks for itself. It can be found on his Quality Barnwood LLC Facebook page.
Spaak has recently moved his business into Sault Ste. Marie. He is currently working on three vanities and taking orders for more work.
