reclaiming wood

for many of us who have intentionaally "distressed" wood at some time or another - this will spin your head around. i had to meditate on the irony of those who buy a brand new, perfectly beautiful piece of wood, take it home and pour acids on it, and then beat it with chains and such in order to give it that 'rustic' or 'antiqued' look that shabby chic calls 'distressed'. if one looks around - they can find wood that is already distressed, begging to be used. no need to kill a new tree and then beat it up to make it look used. just go get used wood.