Thursday, December 21, 2006

Handle on Business : Custom decor draws inspiration from the past

Lisa Haddy runs a new store called Inspired American Decor in Coeur d'Alene, which just opened. The store features furniture and decor items made from reclaimed wood and oak wine barrels, plus some antiques. (JESSE TINSLEY The Spokesman-Review )

Nils Rosdahl
Staff writer
December 21, 2006

The key word to the theme of this store is the first word of its name: Inspired American Decor.

It's a new home decor and furniture shop next to Granny's Wild Geranium, across from the Pizza Shoppe in Appleway Square, located at the northwest corner of the Appleway/Highway 95 intersection in Coeur d'Alene.

"Inspired" is the primary word because most of the furniture in this place is cleverly fashioned of reclaimed wood. That is, it's been used before in another fashion.

Charles Haddy Jr., who owns the business with his wife, Lisa, finds refined-looking material from foregone antiquities, and designs and builds custom pieces that take advantage of the wood's shape, size, color and type.

The Haddys didn't want me to mention the source of what I found to be the most inviting examples. They thought mentioning wine barrels would make their inventory sound too rustic. So forgive me, Haddys. However, the items that Charles has so cleverly contrived from the wooden side curves and round tops of the wine barrels are beautiful, useful and intriguing.

The gift and decor items are displayed to complement the furniture, from artwork and candles to their holders. There's Amish barn stars, vintage signs and pottery. Their store reflects their love of the past, wood and the environment.

The Haddys also are the local distributor of Solar Comfort portable infrared heating systems. They came to North Idaho eight years ago.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Phone (208) 664-8876.