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Tuesday, September 6th, 2016
Hooker Furniture Home Office Ball Claw Desk 434-10-158 has a delicious wooden color that will surely invite attention.
There’s plenty of wood on the planet. It is warm, cozy, it is strong and durable, it can even last for hundreds if not thousands of years. Wood has many uses including the building of bridges, manufacturing paper, or heating homes. This is one of the most versatile materials in the world with thousands of practical uses. But what do you think makes wood great?
What Is Wood?
Wood is grown in trees. If you could take a part of the tree and peel off the bark, you would immediately realize that there are two kinds of woods. The first, closest to the edge, is a light, moist layer referred to as sapwood. This is filled with tubes referred to as the xylem.
Deeper and darker into the tree is what’s known as the heartwood. This, in essence, is already dead because the xylem tubes were blocked with gums or resins.
At the sapwood’s outer edge is a thin layer known as the cambium. This is where the tree grows outward to form those annual rings which can tell you how old the tree is. If you take the time to cut the trunk vertically, you would get into the grain. There are also occasional ovals that interrupt the grains. These are the knots. Knots are unique and attractive parts of the wood but they tend to weaken the structure.
Is It Hardwood or Softwood?
There are two distinct kinds of wood – hardwoods and softwoods. While the names may convey hardness or softness, these don’t always refer to the sturdiness or suppleness of the wood. Hardwoods are woods that come from deciduous trees (those that have broad leaves). Examples of hardwood are birch, beech, ash, maple, teak, oak, mahogany and walnut.
Softwoods, on the other hand, come from coniferous trees (those that have cones and needles). Examples are cypress, cedar, pine, fir, redwood and spruce.
Generally, though, hardwoods are harder when compared to softwoods. One of the most famous exceptions is the Balsa wood which is classified as a hardwood but is actually soft.
Hardwoods come with beautiful grains which is why they are often used in manufacturing fine furniture. Decorative woodwork also looks great when done with hardwood. Softwoods are most suitable for construction work (e.g. poles and planks) because they are tall and straight.
Wood’s Chemical Composition
If you can take a look at some freshly cut wood right under a microscope, you will see that it – just like any other plant – is composed of many cells. These cells are made up of three substances namely cellulose, hemi cellulose and lignin.
There are literally hundreds of wood species so it is difficult to make a general adjective that would describe the word wood. See, oak is different from balsa in so many ways. Physically, wood is stiff and strong but if you compare it to steel, it is, of course, flexible and light. Still compared to plastic, metal and ceramic, woods have a unique isotropic inner structure.
Wood Is Durable
One of the greatest things about wood is that it can last for a very long time. This is why wooden structures made thousands of years ago are still being unearthed by archeologists. This means that wood can easily outlast the person who invested in it.
Wood can rot when forces of nature get a hold of it. Organisms like insects and fungi can also nibble at the cellulose and lignin. If you want your wood furniture to last, make sure that you know how to care for it. Ask your furniture retailer about cleaning solutions that could help you maintain your furniture’s beauty.
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Monday, September 5th, 2016
FFDM Vintage Classics is a collection of quality wood furniture for people with impeccable taste.
If you’re out to purchase furniture today, it pays if you know what quality furniture really is. Don’t just drive around not knowing what pieces should go with your chosen theme and what materials should comprise the pieces that you take home. It is also important that you get your money’s worth whether this is a replacement or you’re out to buy your first sets of furniture.
Characteristics of Quality Furniture
The most basic approach in seeing the difference between quality and low quality pieces is to take a closer look at both old and new furniture. Take note that even furniture that was considered junk back in the 20th century had dovetailed joints inside drawers. All were made of solid wood back then.
Lesser pieces were often veneered on top of solid wood. Don’t think of veneer as an indication of poor quality, though. This is just a wood crafting technique used for many centuries which actually allows furniture craftsmen to beautifully design patterns as well as inlays which cannot be done in any other way.
Finer furniture pieces were often custom-built by the best cabinet makers and master joiners. These were fashioned out of kiln-dried, hardwood boards. The surviving pieces today are a testament to the master artisans’ quality of work.
Hooker Furniture Dining Room Manhattan – Transitional Barstool features the unique fusion of quality leather and wood.
Wood Quality
Going back on getting the most out of your money, there are certain things that you need to look for. When it comes to construction, you have to search doweling, mortise and tenon, dovetails, mitering, tongue in groove, and the glued and screwed frames.
As for the materials, ask for the kiln-dried types as these are the ones in which moisture have been removed. Kiln-drying can take months depending on the kind of wood being dried.
Look also for the wood’s matching grain and color. The frames should be constructed using stable woods such as poplar, oak, solid cherry, or maple.
Going down to the wood furniture’s performance and overall looks, make sure that it feels solid to the touch. Don’t be afraid to rock or jostle the pieces that are presented to you. You must not hear any creaking sound.
As for the parts that are unexposed, make sure that they have been well-fitted and smooth. Only the best pieces in the world are able to perfect these characteristics.
If you happen to be buying drawers, then be sure to check that the drawers are sliding smoothly. The doors of cabinets should be closing neatly.
The quality of furniture that you choose depends on how much you are also willing to spend. Other factors are how you are going to use the piece and whether you would like to keep the piece your entire life.
It makes sense, in the long run, that you buy pricier furniture rather than to keep recycling it when it begins to fall apart. Go for trendy or traditional, it really doesn’t matter. What truly matters is that you can use the piece for a very long time.
A good piece that can promise you all these things are hardwood pieces which are often used in quality furniture. To make sure that these pieces come from sustainable and environment-friendly areas, make sure that you do your research before you buy. Ask about construction methods, overall performance and materials, even business practices.
Always remember that the most important part of furnishing your home is that you get to find pieces that you love and enjoy for the longest time possible.
Don’t resort to thrift shops and antique stores if you are looking for quality furniture. Check our lineup of quality hardwood pieces instead and you would soon wonder at how exquisite each piece is.
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Thursday, January 28th, 2016
Biltmore desk from FFDM. It may be traditionally classy but it also comes with modern features to accommodate your gadget needs.
There is reason behind the liking for hardwood furniture among sophisticated homeowners. This kind of furniture can provide a different level of appeal in any home. While both softwood and hardwood materials are great for furniture creation, there are benefits and disadvantages for both.
Hardwoods come from angiosperm trees which produce covered seeds. This is a sturdy material that has been used for centuries in the manufacture of furniture and flooring, too. It is heavier, harder and classic looking when compared to many kinds of softwoods.
One of the best examples of a hardwood is the good, ol’ reliable oak. Oakwood is super solid and has been used in manufacturing heirloom furniture pieces. Oakwood bedroom furniture sets look elegant and will surely leave a lasting impression with anyone.
There are many styles of hardwood furniture that can be found in the market these days. If you want to use a classic, contemporary, traditional, periodic or rustic theme, then this is the material to acquire. All hardwoods are solid and long-lasting.
Biltmore pieces come with durable and beautiful hardwoods that will make your home stand out.
Hardwood Furniture Advantages
It may be tempting at times to just choose furniture made with inferior materials since they are cheaper. But that is all that they are – inferior. You will, eventually, spend more as you buy a replacement for the low quality furniture which you settled for.
So, to save yourself a lot of money and energy, even time, consider buying hardwood furniture in the first place. Hardwood furniture is an investment that can give you a lot of benefits. First on this list is its natural beauty.
Mahogany, oak, mango and acacia are all naturally beautiful. They automatically up the level of warmth and coziness in your home. Genuine pieces of hardwood furniture are not difficult to spot. Just run your hand through the surface of the wood and you would know that you are touching the right thing.
Another benefit that comes with hardwood furniture is its sturdiness. Invest in quality oak or mahogany furniture and this will surely become an antique years from now. Hardwood even improves with age and is even built to outlast the owners. This means that hardwood furniture is the perfect kind of heirloom piece that you can pass on to your posterity.
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Toughness also comes with all the other benefits of hardwood furniture. Of course, you already know that buying cheap flat-pack pieces can be easily damaged by children and pets. Traditional woods can withstand scratches and even bigger problems. They are repairable and can be polished to look new all the time – this you cannot expect with cheap furniture.
The classification of wood as to its hardness or softness comes down to its physical characteristics. While it is generally true that hardwoods are harder than softwoods, there are also exceptions like in the case of yew. This is classified as softwood yet it is relatively hard. Balsa, on the other hand, is a type of wood that is much softer than most softwood.
Hardwood vs. Softwood
Most hardwoods are used in the creation of sturdy desks, cabinets, flooring materials, and decks. Softwood is used in some building components although most are used in paper manufacturing and the creation of medium-density fiberboards.
Hardwood furniture pieces are also easy to clean. To maintain, all you would need is daily dusting and an occasional application of polish or cleaning with mild detergent.
Choosing hardwood furniture that can live for hundreds of years means investing in the toughest and densest materials; you will never be wrong to select hardwood furniture. It won’t just last for years, it is also stunning and classy, one that would elevate the way people see you.
Hooker Furniture Dining Room Vintage West 54in Round Dining Table with 20in leaf is hardwood furniture made with hardwood solids, resin, decorative nails and aluminum. This traditional dark wood comes with a dark charcoal finish, unsurpassed quality, and solid frame. This lovely piece will never contract or expand during extreme weather changes.
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