Recently my wife and I were driving back from New York City, trying to find a spot for dinner.  We always love dropping by projects where Pioneer Millworks’ wood was used, so we decided to head to The Barrow House in Clifton, NJ.  This project was quite an undertaking back in 2016, with major renovations on the inside of the existing structure, and the addition of an attached timber frame barn by our sister company, New Energy Works.

Dean Maroulakos, owner of The Barrow House, worked with our team and hand-picked the reclaimed wood used throughout the project, selecting our famous Settlers Plank Oak flooring for the main dining area.  These wide planks show off the patina & character of original use on the exterior and interior of barns dating back to the mid 1800’s.  The undulating texture, color variation, and careful milling of the floor make it a perfect choice for high-traffic locations like restaurants, and it is just as popular for warm, inviting spaces at home as well.

Obviously, floors in restaurants get a lot of wear and tear, with constant foot traffic, spills, and tables & chairs being moved regularly.  So, it was surprising to see that the flooring looks much like it did 8 years ago when it was first installed.  How do they maintain the floor and keep it looking good?  They follow our maintenance guidelines, of course!

• The floor is swept or vacuumed with a soft brush attachment daily
• Walk-off mats are placed at entrances to the restaurant
• Mats are also placed at the service area of the bar and at the doors to the kitchen
• The floor is carefully damp-mopped when needed
• Any heavily worn areas are touched up with the same finish as the original order
• Every few years, a refresh coat of hard wax oil is buffed into the floor

These are the same guidelines that we provide to all Pioneer Millworks clients, for all hard wax oil finished floors.  The oil in the finish brings out the deep colors of Settlers Plank, and provides a true living finish, one that when properly cared for will last for generations. 

If you get a chance to drop by The Barrow House, have a look around before you settle in for an outstanding meal.  More than a dozen Pioneer Millworks products were used throughout the interior and exterior, all looking beautiful as they age. 

PS – Go for the braised short rib.  Seriously epic.