Wagon West Beds

While visiting a ranch in Petaluma, California, in 2004, Mike Hardister spotted an old wagon from the early 1900s perched on a pair of saw horses. "I could make a bed out of this beautiful relic," he thought. Soon Mike headed out with flat bed in tow to pick up the prize. Friends and neighbors scoffed at the idea but it didn’t stop Mike: he had a vision. Soon he was working away, spending every spare moment he had on this bed.

Since then Mike has created three beds, each one an original. Each bed comes with its own "Certificate of Origin" telling the history of the wagon: where it originated, what it hauled, who owned it, what was the name of the ranch it was hauled from and what kind of draft horses pulled this historic treasure that "Won the West."

Mike disassembles the wagon using all the old original metal parts, such as hand-forged steel brackets, the brake handle, even the square nuts and bolts. He then recreates the original wooden pieces out of fir planed from the beams of a 70-year-old barn, elongating the wooden pieces into a queen- or king-sized bed. Each bed can take up to 500 hours to complete.

The bed is designed to roll away from the wall revealing a storage compartment featuring a linen closet, gun rack and wine holder.

www.wagonwestbeds.com

Chic Skins

Whether attending a special occasion in the city or spending an evening in Santa Fe doning flowing fringes and sterling silver conchos, designer Lou Ann Hardister's goal is to create the ultimate in elegance and beauty, reflecting her own particular "style." However when designing a custom piece Lou Ann welcomes the input from her client, creating uniqueness and individuality of its very own, surely making any woman feel like an Indian princess.

Lou Ann collaborates with a select group of very talented artists who help provide the outstanding craftsmanship that CHIC SKINS is known for. Beautiful Indian motifs and desert scenes are skillfully painted by hand on Jackets, skirts and tops. Horses of all breeds, from pintos to exquisite Arabian mares and exotic stallions, can either be painted or burnt into the leather to adorn the yokes of jackets and shawls. The African Safari scenes have also been very popular this year.

Lou Ann has had the pleasure and privilege to work with a number of top stars in the music business, among them are Alan Jackson and wife Denise, Emmy Lou Harris, Tanya Tucker, Billy Ray Cyrus, Kix Brooks, Stevie Nicks, Bo Derek, and Wade Hayes.

Depending on the desired look, custom work can take up to several months to complete. There are many details that need to be addressed and sometimes fittings are required.

www.chicskins.com