INSIDEOUT Magazine
In Our Own Backyard: TerraMai

Words and Photos by Renee Casterline
Volume 3, Issue 7, p. 20

In Our Own Backyard is a celebration of the artisans, craftsmen and women, and farmers in our region who produce wonderful goods that lend color and texture to the fabric of our communities. Some of the producers may be well known, while others are fabulous discoveries. Take the time to share with these passionate people, visit their shops and farms and further explore the bounty of the Northstate.

A visit to TerraMai's showroom and mill in McCloud is an adventure in tone and texture as you view samples of reclaimed wood from around the world. The office boasts a selection of their products, from the jungle mix to cinnamon mix flooring. Rosewood, old-growth redwood, teak and Douglas fir are among the woods milled into flooring, siding, beams and furniture and cabinet stock that appeal to innovative and creative homebuilders. TerraMai's products and philosophy have led them to the forefront of the reclaimed wood market and garnered attention from the PBS series This Old House.

TerraMai owners Erika Carpenter and Richard McFarland travel the world searching for sources of reclaimed wood. Through the company's 15-year history, they have gleaned wood from old barns and warehouses in the Pacific Northwest, buildings and antique railroad ties in Southeast Asia, and vintage wine tanks, as well as other interesting sources. From these old growth sources, TerraMai's mill in McCloud, along with overseas mills, creates beautiful flooring that tells a story and brings rich grain patterns and distinctive colors to a room or house. While it may not be a consideration in the showroom, clients find that a TerraMai floor becomes a character in the life of their home.

"A lot of our clients like the history and concept of reclaimed wood. It brings a lot of richness and character to a home," Erika said. "There is an intangible sense of history and engagement that's hard to explain."

TerraMai works exclusively with reclaimed wood, a decision the owners made years ago to avoid the lumber industry's consumption of new growth trees. As lumber mills in McCloud and Mt. Shasta were deconstructed, Erika and Richard bought that wood to build their business, which was formerly called Jefferson Recycled Woodworks. Then they found wood in Northwest warehouses that were being torn down, and these days they travel the globe. They receive queries from wood sources in South America, China and Australia as well as Southeast Asia.

After 15 years in business, TerraMai now has a large offering of products. Flooring options include straight teak that is 40 to 100 years old, as well as mixes that incorporate a range of tones from a surprising array of sources. Wood for the flooring mixes can come from overseas shipping material and untreated railroad ties. The golds and deep chocolates of the cinnamon mix comprise the darkest blend, while the jungle mix of Asian hardwoods dances from bright rose to rich browns. They also offer Douglas fir, a North American traditional softwood that is quite popular here in the Northstate.

Considering a TerraMai floor for new construction or a remodeling project should bring a playful element to the work of building. Take the time to visit the showroom, perhaps tour the mill, and get a feel for flooring with a history. Check out the floors installed in the office, where 10 years of use has barely bit into the life of the wood.

terramai.com provides a wealth of product information as well as discussions on the philosophy behind reclaimed lumber. To arrange a visit to the showroom and 8-acre yard, or to speak with a sales person, call 1-800-220-9062.