Birds of a Feather Flock Together

“If you’re a bird, I’m a bird.”

— The Notebook

Birds in Store at Garden Supply Co.

It’s no wonder folks of all ages continue to incorporate birds into their lives. Bird-watching, ornithology (the scientific study of birds) and conservancy are popular pastimes and a way of life for lots of people around North Carolina. Together with your November outdoor maintenance and transitional holiday decor, think, “What about the birds?”

Garden Supply Co. has unique, hand-crafted bird houses and bird feeders in several designs and for all types of native North Carolina birds. Finches, woodpeckers, wrens, chickadees and nuthatches are just a few of the most beloved birds, aside from the always-attractive cardinal, who need homes this winter. Our gardeners are here to speak with you about the types of birds you intend to invite to your yard. If you enjoy bird-watching, welcome your favorite birds home and install a bird house today!

Feeding your feathered friends will keep them coming back. Appeal to particular birds in our Cary area and shop our selection of specialty seed for finches, cardinals, woodpeckers and more. Keep the squirrels away with the ‘Hot Meats,’ by Coles. This blend is designed to get you more birds and less squirrels. Red bellied and red headed woodpeckers, both of whom have red heads, by the way, will thank you for refilling your suet. Garden Supply Co. has a variety of fruity, nutty suet combinations. Dried mealworms are the perfect high-protein fuel your backyard birds need to hunker down all winter. Find the best price around on All Natural Black Oil Sunflower bird seed, a preferred seed for all birds!

Are you missing the hummingbirds already? Hang one in your tree, display one on your mantle or tuck one in your garland. Create a festive, feathery theme this holiday season and watch the birds from inside the comfort of your home. Advance your table setting with a handsome cardinal serving platter or assemble your centerpiece from our assortment of playful picks and sprays. Owls, cardinals and other enchanted, feathery creatures are hung with care all around our boutique. Ask our design specialists for the most up-to-date inventory, as some of these items are one-of-a-kind! Fly in today and see what’s in store!

Growing Cacti and Succulents

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Cacti and succulents are excellent houseplants that add character to any room. Firstly, understand that the words cactus and succulent are general terms that refer to a wide variety of plants. Anything called a “cactus” belongs to a certain family of plants but may be one of many different species. “Succulent” is not a family of plants, but refers to any plant with fleshy parts for storing moisture. A wide range of plants from many different parts of the world falls into the succulent category. Cacti are defined as succulents and what sets them apart as their own sub-group within that classification is that they produce growths (areoles) such as spines. These spines help defend the plant against being eaten, as well as helping to reduce water loss by diminishing the air flow close to the cacti stem and offering a little shade. What sets cacti and succulents apart is their ability to exist on low amounts of moisture. Both of these categories of plants are adept at conserving water and nutrients. Keeping indoor cacti or succulents require a special kind of care which is different from most other houseplants. These plants are tough and can stand extreme conditions with little water, but in order to thrive, they need regular care and attention. During their growth season (which is usually spring to fall), cacti and succulents will appreciate regular watering and fertilizing. Check out the tag on your individual plants to identify the specific needs of that species and ensure you successfully care for the plant. These plants do enjoy a lot of sunlight and whether they like direct or indirect light will depend on the variety, so make sure you have the right spot to meet its needs. You can always supplement light needs with a grow light if you don’t have enough daylight in your house. Cacti and succulents like a well-draining soil and should be repotted every year or two, as they outgrow their current pots and to give them fresh soil.

We have a selection of cacti and succulents, so stop in and check them out! They may be the perfect plants to supplement your indoor houseplant collection and our friendly staff will be glad to assist you in understanding their care!

Fun with Ferns

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Ferns are a lacy, whimsical plant that add visual interest to any room. Their beautiful delicate appearance and easy needs make them an ideal choice to grow indoors. They gained popularity as indoor plants in the Victorian Era and the word “fern” comes from an Anglo-Saxon word (fearn) which means feather. These plants happen to be one of the only plants that do not produce flowers. They produce spores to reproduce. Ferns are native to the tropics and so enjoy high humidity, making them a good option for a bathroom. You can also mist them daily with a spray bottle, and if the humidity levels are not right, you may notice the tips of the fronds turning brown or dying. Another option to increase moisture levels around ferns is to double pot them. Place the potted fern in a larger container that is lined with moist sphagnum moss and be sure to keep the moss moist.

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Depending on the type, ferns can have a variety of sunlight needs. Some like indirect sunlight, some will do fine with dappled or morning sun, and some can handle full sun. Check the tags on your chosen variety to ensure proper conditions. Their soil should stay evenly moist—not too wet and not too dry. When overwatered, their leaves will turn yellow and wilt. Water slowly and evenly until water runs out the bottom of the pot into the saucer. Ferns like light applications of houseplant fertilizer to stay happy and healthy.

Different ferns and plants

Ferns should be repotted every couple years. If your fern starts looking lackluster, rejuvenate it with some outdoor time in the warm months. Place the pot in a shady spot so it can experience the fresh air and rain.

We currently have an incredible selection of ferns so if you want to give this beautiful plant a try, come see us! Our friendly associates can get you set up with everything you need to make your indoor fern a success.

Deck the Halls with Citrus Plants

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What’s more fun and healthy than being able to grab a lemon, lime, or orange from your very own indoor citrus tree? Citrus plants can easily be grown indoors in a container and they will produce fruit as well as give off a refreshing fragrance. You can start these plants indoors in pots and then transfer outside when the weather is warm, or keep them inside permanently. Maintaining the plant in a container minimizes the shock involved with transplanting and allows you to control their growth (in case you don’t have space for a 12-foot tree inside). Citrus trees like soil that is well draining so their roots don’t sit in water for too long. Putting Styrofoam peanuts or rocks in the bottom of the container helps retain the water while allowing the roots to stay dry. Citrus trees like a specific amount of watering. If you scratch just under the surface of the soil and it’s moist, then the water level is correct. Overwatering can lead to weak roots and open the door to diseases. If the leaves are curling, are muted colors, or starting to drop off, then the plant needs more water. It’s best to keep a consistent watering schedule of about once a week in the winter to ensure the tree maintains the right amount of moisture.

These trees like a lot of sunlight, so choose a spot where they’ll get an adequate amount. A grow light can supplement for sunlight if there’s not a sunny-enough spot. A fertilizer specifically for citrus, fruit, or nut producing plants is recommended because these will have the right mixture of nutrients for fruit production. Follow the directions on fertilizer packaging for the frequency and amount of fertilizer to be used.

Citrus Plants

If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at growing a citrus tree, come down and see us! We have a selection of lemons, oranges, and limes to choose from and one of our friendly associates can help you get started growing your own citrus fruit. We even have some plants that are currently producing fruit to choose from!

It’s That Time: Poinsettias are Here!

Bright Pink Poinsettia

Poinsettias: few other flowers are as synonymous with Christmas as this one! This plant was brought to the United States from Mexico in the 1828 by Joel Roberts Poinsett. In Mexico, this plant is a perennial shrub and can grow 10-15 feet tall. The part of poinsettias which most people think of as the flowers are actually colored bracts, or modified leaves. The flowers are the center of the bracts. To get the longest-lasting poinsettias, choose plants with little or no yellow pollen showing because the plant drops its bracts and leaves soon after losing their pollen. While poinsettias have long been rumored to be poisonous, this is not true. Ingesting the leaves of this plant will cause a child or pet to be sick with an upset stomach, vomiting and nausea, and they would have to eat 500 to 600 leaves to experience those side effects (and the leaves are not tasty). Despite that, it’s still best to be cautious about where you place house plants with pets and children in mind.

Red Poinsettia

There are over 100 varieties of poinsettias on the market, ranging from red to pink, white, and purple. The red variety is the most popular and traditional. Although most poinsettias sold in the US come from California and their sales contribute over $250 million to our economy, our Poinsettias are grown locally. They are the bestselling potted plant in the US, which most being sold in the six weeks leading up to Christmas.

Speckled Poinsettia

When bringing poinsettias home, make sure to place them poinsettias near sunny windows, or somewhere where they will receive plenty of sunshine. Be careful not to let the leaves of the plant press against the cold window panes, as they are tropical plants that dislike cold. They do not do well with very hot or cold drafts, so take care to keep them away from air registers and open windows or doors. Water only when soil feels dry and when watering, ensure that water soaks the soil down to the bottom of the pot, and then discard any excess water. If you plan on keeping your plant for several months, apply a soluble houseplant fertilizer for best results.

It is possible to keep your poinsettia going for longer than the Christmas season. You will need to care for it as you would any houseplant, and probably cut back the old flowering stems in February or March to maintain a good shape. Continue to fertilize the plant as needed.

For those who just want holiday blooms, take advantage of our “Dead or Alive” Program. Save the “Dead or Alive” tag and bring it back in the new year for a $5.00 discount on any house plant.

Our beautiful stock of Poinsettias is ready and waiting for you, so stop by and see us! Our knowledgeable staff can help you with any questions you have about caring for these festive flowers!

5 Fun Uses for Pumpkins

Pumpkins

It’s pumpkin time and there are just so many fun things you can do with a pumpkin! They are nutrient-rich, with lots of antioxidants and vitamins. One cup of pumpkin is less than 50 calories and provides a healthy dose of beta-carotene and fiber, so they are great for cooking with. Here are 5 cool ways to make use of a pumpkin:

1. Eat the seeds: Pumpkin seeds are incredibly healthy! They contain protein, magnesium, potassium and zinc. So, cut off the top of the pumpkin, scrape out the insides, and rinse off those seeds. You can roast them in the oven with a little olive oil and salt and they are a delicious and nutritious snack. Even if you don’t like to eat them, birds love dried pumpkin seeds, so put leftover seeds out as a treat for the birds.

2. Make pumpkin stock: The inside of the pumpkin has its uses too. Separate out the seeds and put the stringy pumpkin innards into a water-filled pot and bring to a boil. Let the mixture boil for about 30 minutes or until the water has changed color. Strain out any leftover pieces and now you have pumpkin stock! It is great for adding flavor to casseroles or soups. You can easily freeze for later use. If you don’t want to make pumpkin stock, birds also love pumpkin guts, so you can put that out for them as well as the dried seeds.

3. Cook pumpkin fries: A quick Google search brings up dozens of recipes for pumpkin fries. Making pumpkin fries is a fairly easy process: you simply need to peel the skin off and cut the pumpkin into strips. Spices can be added as you like, and then bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Here is a really easy recipe from Savy Naturalist: http://www.savynaturalista.com/2013/09/30/roasted-pumpkin-fries/.

4. Make pumpkin hummus: How about some yummy pumpkin hummus? Dreena Burton’s Plant-Powered Kitchen has an amazing recipe for pumpkin hummus: http://plantpoweredkitchen.com/pumpkin-hummus/. Pumpkin hummus is a fun appetizer for autumn parties!

5. Cook homemade pumpkin puree: If you’re interested in making your own pumpkin puree, which can then be used for any number of recipes, check out this guide from City Girl Farming: http://www.citygirlfarming.com/Recipes/ByVegetable/CookingPumpkin.html. She gives information on a couple different methods of creating your own pumpkin puree and it’s surprisingly not very difficult. Pumpkin puree is used in a ton of recipes, including pumpkin biscuits, pumpkin bread, pumpkin soup, and even pumpkin cocktails.

And here’s a bonus tip in case you have flowers that you’d like to do something fun with:

1. Create a flower vase: Use a pumpkin as a festive flower vase. Cut off the top and remove the innards as you would for carving, but then place a container inside. Fill that container with water and flowers and you have a fun, one-of-a-kind vase!

We have pumpkins, so stop in and see us! Our friendly staff can get you set up for all your fall pumpkin and plant needs.

Cool Season Herbs and Veggies are Here!

As the season changes, so should your garden. There are many vegetables and herbs that do well as the temperature drops. Keep your garden going year-round with hardy plants that can take cooler temperatures. We have a variety of plants to choose from so come by to see what has arrived. Here are a few of the herbs and vegetables we have in stock and why they make such great cool season plants for your garden.

Fast growing leafy salad crops like Butter crunch lettuce will keep your garden looking green. This type of lettuce is nutritional and has a rosette shape. It needs full sun to grow so give it plenty of light. Butter crunch does best in a moist soil and will last up until the first hard frost.

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Beets make a great cool season crop as well. They grow quickly and can survive the frost. Beets are full of vitamins and studies are being done to prove whether or not they can help lower blood pressure. Beet greens (the leafy part) are also edible and full of nutrients.

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Rosemary is a hardy herb that can handle cooler temperatures, but it is a good idea to bring it in once there is potential for frost. This flavorful herb is often used in rubs for lamb, pork, and turkey. It is also used in oil based dressings and marinades. Consider using Rosemary next time you decorate a wreath or make potpourri as well.

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Spinach tolerates cool weather very well and should be planted about 6-8 weeks before the first frost in nitrogen-rich soil. It grows quickly and is very healthy. Spinach is rich in vitamins and minerals. Toss it in fresh with a salad or cook it into your next stir-fry.

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Sage is a beautiful herb that does well in the south once the humidity level lowers. It is often used in stuffing, but sage also goes well on pork, poultry, and vegetables.

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Thyme is an aromatic herb often used in cooking. It grows best in soil with a high pH. Add a little Thyme to your next slow-cooker meal or mix it into butter or mayonnaise to add flavor. It even tastes delicious in tea.

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Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook to hear about more new arrivals to the store!

Glass Bird Baths Have Arrived!

There are many ways besides flowers to add color to your garden. Garden Supply Co has just gotten in some lovely colored glass bird baths. As the leaves turn in the next couple months, these bird baths will stay as a vibrant pop of color in your outdoor space. Not only are they beautiful, but they are also functional. Bird watchers will love watching birds stop by for a refreshing dip in one of these interesting bird baths.

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This Tiffany inspired bird bath is sure to add elegance to your space along with an old-world touch.

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This peacock pattern is sure to make your garden feel exotic.

Come by the store soon to check out these exciting additions to our inventory. They are sure to please.

Southern Living at it's Finest

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Whether you're looking for candles, holders, picture frames, art work or accent furniture, we have it all! Come check out the selection today!

Featuring: Sock it to Me!

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We're featuring SOCK IT TO ME socks at the store this week!

What started as a tent at an outdoor market has turned in to an international company. One twenty something's vision has allowed us to enjoy these little funky accessories on a daily basis. Whether you're a ladybug, bacon or peacock girl, we're got you covered. There are many different designs and colors to choose from. We also carry men's crew socks with mustaches, beer or antlers.

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Stop by to browse our selection!

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Spring & Easter

Smokin' New Wood Fired Oven by Fornetto

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We are now excited to carry the beautiful Fornetto wood fired oven and smoker for your outdoor entertaining needs. This model is packed with feautures one would only expect to find on indoor ovens, truly raising the bar on outdoor cooking. "Featuring solid cast iron doors, stainless steel oven interiors, and a separate fire chamber, the Fornetto ovens offer a safe and easy way of creating authentic pizzas, amazing roast meats, baked breads, pastas, and desserts, or smoking an endless variety of foods in your own backyard or patio." My favorite recipe in the Fornetto wood fired oven: Apple and Berry Cobbler

A blackberry cobbler recipe with blackberries and apples, along with sugar, butter, and other ingredients (dessert of course)!

Preheat Fornetto oven to 200°C / 350°

Cooking Time 45 minutes

Cream butter and 1/3 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture alternately with the milk, beat until smooth. In a separate bowl, combine blackberries, apples, and 1⁄2 cup sugar. Put fruit mixture in a buttered 9inch round cake pan. Pour batter over the fruit. Sprinkle with a little sugar. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes.

Serve with cream or ice cream.

The wood fired cooking brings a different depth of flavour to the food including desserts.

Serves 6 - 8

Option: Many different fruits can be used as substitutes with this recipe. Use firm fleshed fruits such as apples, pears, nashi, peaches or nectarines. Berries such as blueberries, blackberries and strawberries can also be used.

Once you’ve finished cooking your main meal, with your oven still hot - baking your dessert makes great sense. It is also convenient to have your desserts cooking outdoors when you are entertaining outdoors – this way you can stay with your guests and won’t be missing out by having to return to the kitchen to check on the dishes.

For more great recipes in the Fornetto wood fired oven and smoker, visit the www.fornetto.com/recipes

New Arrivals: Tropical Houseplants

Shop the greenhouse for our selection of Tropical Houseplants. Their leafy foliage is the perfect addition to your home after the coziness of the Holiday décor has been packed away! Not sure which plant is a good match for you? Our on-site houseplant expert is here to help you choose the best species for your environment. Get started today!

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Gourmet Foods & Bottled Colas

Check out our selection of gourmet foods and beverages, new to  GSCO! We are now offering some of our favorite baking mixes, canned preserves, and local edibles. 

Shop our Mccutcheon's canned products featuring butters, preserves, jams, jellies, hot sauces, salad dressings, relishes, BBQ sauces, and more. We can't forget their ever so popular Apple Ciders - even better served warm! All with that old fashioned home made quality and taste you will love. Mccutcheon's use only real cane sugar and natural fruit juices as sweeteners.

      

Try our Private Label baking mixes with recipes including Rosemary Garlic Beer Bread, Key Lime Coconut Whipping Cream Scones, Herbs de Provence Boule, Lavendar and Rose Whipping Cream Scones, Lemon Squares, Orange Cinnamon Whipping Cream Scones, and Lemon Lavendar Whipping Cream Scones. 

  

Also from Mccutcheon's are our staff favorite  -  old fashioned bottled sodas. Choose from Birch Beer, Orange Cream Soda, Grape Soda, Diet Rootbeer, and Black Cherry Cola. 

   

We also offer  local favorites from Dewey's Bakery in Winston Salem, North Carolina.  At the top of the list among customers are the Moravian Sugar Cookies. 

Peanuts from Bertie County make great snack when you're looking for that little something salty or even sweet perhaps. Choose from Wasabi, Honey Roasted, Butterscotch, Salt and Pepper, Chocolate Covered and Batchelor Bay.

 

Christmas Boutique

Visit our Greenhouse Christmas Boutique as we celebrate our 15th year bringing you the latest and greatest in holiday decor.  Stroll through our retail gallery and sip on a cup of freshly brewed coffee or hot apple cider, as we delight you with over a dozen themed vignettes decked with trees, ornaments, garlands, wreaths and decor. We are excited to share this year's holiday collection our team of design experts have brought to you for 2013.

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The front of the greenhouse celebrates a GSCO staff  favorite pick,  Garden and Gun. This hunt club inspired tree is set in front of our cozy stone hearth and features sequined stuffed pheasants a midst large black lanterns, giant metal spheres, and faux stag horns. The tree is dripping in champagne and golden mercury glass ornaments. We've dressed the vignette in faux fur wreaths, rich houndstooth and tweed ribbons, and our best magnolia picks and sprays. The realistic looking cotton picks add instant southern charm to this feminine take on the gentleman's "Best in Show."  

Christmas Tree- Garden and Gun- Garden Supply Co

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Our designers often take nods from the fashion industry and this year black and white was a duo prominent through out fashion and interior design. We have complimented the black and white pair with shades of lime green and red for a fun, whimsical feel. Snowmen and penguins are perfect additions to this mix. This whimsical theme has been popular among customers in years past and the bold addition of black and white will continue to gain popularity for years to come.

Christmas Tree- Whimsical Christmas- Garden Supply Co

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 If you long for the nostalgia of Christmases past, our vintage vignette is the theme for you. Lit Houses literally take the spotlight in this heavily flocked tree, especially appealing to collectors of Cody Foster. Adorned with beaded garlands and crystal icicles, this snowy blanket it the perfect canvas for those brightly colored vintage and replica ornaments we so fondly remember from yester year.

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Take your tiny tots over to the kids corner where Santa is busy making toys in his workshop. Look overhead to find the Polar Express train suspended in a fully decked out garland. Peer high and low to find all of Santa's helpers swinging from garland to tree in preparation for December 25th. This 9 foot tree is covered from sock monkey to easy bake oven. 

Christmas Garland- Garden Supply Co

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Don't be left with coal - our Letters to Santa tree has the wishlist thing covered! This Americana styled tree is filled with eclectic versions of elves and Santas dressed in cozy sweaters, all busy making lists and checking them twice. Find rustic mail boxes, sleighs, and burlap poinsettias nestled into icy picks, birch bundles, and jungle bell clusters.

Christmas Tree- Santa's Workshop

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Enjoy the playful world of fairies and forest creatures nestled in this year's Enchanted themed tree. From The frosted fern picks to the over-sized foam flowers, this tree is truly something out of a fairy tale. Search for nature's furry and feathered friends tucked into the boughs of this upside down enchanted garden. The enormous moss covered mushrooms and birdcages take center stage in the elaborate garland that stretches over nearly half the length of the boutique.

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 Celebrate the Holiday Season with Garden Supply Company!

"Fall" In Love with Nomad Boots

"Fall" in love with our new collection of rainboots for the gardener by Nomad designs. Each pair is as unique as you are from the blinging embellishments to the simplicity of the floral themed inspired motifs by North Carolina artist M. Nicole van Dam. These boots are sure to inspire any gardener this fall to grab a trowel and make way for cabbages and pansies alike in their beds - but we think they transition fabulously into any wardrobe this season. Slip them on with your favorite denim jeans or pair them with our coordinating womens knee high socks by Sock it to me. This combo will prove to be a winning giftable for your favorite green thumbed friends! p      

Primitives by Kathy Fall Designs

Primitives by Kathy- Autumn Designs- Garden Supply Co

Primitives by Kathy box signs long adored for their whimsical, sentimental, witty, and romantic sentiments in traditional black and white , are now available in fun fall designs. Choose from a variety of autumn and Thanksgiving themes in a new cream and brown color palette. The perfect addition to your harvest home decor this season.

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Fall Home Decor and Gifts

New Fall home decor and gifts are arriving daily in the Greenhouse. From fun and whimsical metal folk art, to sweet and spooky Halloween decor, gifts, and costume wearables, we have all your autumn decor and gift needs covered in style.

J&B Designs Home Accents

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J&B Message Center

 We are excited to now offer beautiful, handcrafted home accent frames, mirrors, and message centers from J&B Designs. Made in the USA from distressed wood, these unique items will enhance any room in your home. Better yet, the message centers are fully customizable. We hope you'll stop by and check them out!