- Follow us:
Wednesday, July 12th, 2017
Harbor Springs Collection by FFDM presents this would-be heirloom piece, the Port Panel King Bed.
Are you at a stage in your life when you are considering passing on your favorite furniture pieces to your loved ones? But how sure are you that the ones you have now would last enough for your loved ones to enjoy? Picking potential heirloom pieces is not an easy task. There are some things that you need to keep in mind.
Not All Amish
Amish furniture are wonderful heirloom pieces but these are not the only pieces that you can pick from. There are many other styles and pieces that you can choose from, what you just need to do is to know what features to look for.
Wood is one material that is often considered when buying potential heirloom pieces. Each type of wood has its own awesome characteristics. Back in the day, the only types of wood furniture are made from cherry, oak, rustic cherry, white oak and brown maple.
Nowadays, there are so much more. Pick from the different stains and wood types. A formal, classic look means investing in a cherry wood piece with a beautiful cherry stain.
If you’re feeling a little artsy, then go for quarter sawn white oak. Whichever style you would settle for, just make sure that it defines you.
There are two types of solid woods – softwood and hardwood. The former comes from evergreen trees like spruce, pine, cedar, fir and redwood. Those that are made from birch, oak, maple or walnut, even exotic woods such as elm, cherry and rosewood are all categorized as hardwoods.
The latter are more appropriate for cabinetry while softwoods are often used in the creation of fine furniture. If you have to know, the most coveted piece of hardwood furniture is the one that’s made with rosewood. As for softwoods, the furniture would have to be made with cedar.
Timeless Color
If you would like to have an heirloom piece, then see how the pieces you would invest in would match the theme that you have in your home. Check out how well the wall paint would match the furniture pieces that you would choose. Rustic pieces are as timeless as timelessness could get.
Consider Other Materials
Wood is beautiful, no doubt about this, but there are also other materials that can provide the heirloom piece that you need.
Think of glass top tables, ceramic benches, mirrored chests and such. These man-made materials can also make you fall in love. Just check the overall construction of every furniture piece so that it is sure to last for a long time.
Visit Our Showroom
Our craftsmen produced the most beautiful pieces that we would like you to see and feel. These pieces come with the best wood types, construction and finishes. You will surely appreciate the furniture more if you can visually check what you’re about to buy.
Pay attention to the types of wood used, the construction as well as the fabrics. Find which pieces will not dent, rip, or damage easily. Look at the joint construction. Those that were manufactured with nails, glue, or staples are far from sturdy so stay away from such pieces.
Look for dowels or the wooden pegs used as screws between two opposing holes as well as dovetails. Mortise-and-tenon as well as corners must be checked as well.
Take a careful look at the wood composition, then try sitting in a couch or chair. This piece should not squeak.
Commit to Clean
When you’re bent on owning an heirloom piece, then be sure to sign up for proper maintenance – years and years of them. Use a damp cloth in cleaning valuable pieces. Never use silicone-based polishes since these will damage the furniture finish over time.
Tags: heirloom, heirloom furniture, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, potential heirloom, potential heirloom pieces, shopping for heirloom
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101 | Comments Off on Through the Years: Picking Potential Heirloom Pieces
Thursday, October 13th, 2016
FFDM Highlands Collection
Shopping for furniture can get tiresome and confusing. There is attractive furniture everywhere but you have to make a serious, contemplative decision before you take the step and begin shopping. Remember that furniture is supposed to last long, meaning, it should be around long enough for you to enjoy, or better yet, for your children and grandchildren to enjoy.
Family heirlooms are not accident pieces. These are intentionally durable and quality pieces that can be kept for heritage’s sake. Your objective in shopping for a would-be heirloom piece is to know what to look for.
Heirloom Must be Handcrafted
From beginning to end, handcrafted pieces are those that have been made solely by hand. These pieces are cut, sanded, fitted, carved, then joined by hand. You might see some flaws because these are handcrafted but these only point to the more desirable unique features that cannot be provided by any machine.
The farthest that you could allow should be woodworker’s glue but for the most of the furniture, these should be joined by equally durable wooden pieces.
Finding handcrafted pieces also means that you find a reputable furniture artisan. Noteworthy furniture designers should catch your attention. They are the ones that can provide the best tables, chairs, beds or lamps that you can hand over to your posterity with pride.
Heirloom Means Quality
There are two kinds of wood that can be used in the creation of quality furniture – softwoods and hardwoods. Common softwood species are pine, cypress, redwood and cedar. Hardwood trees, on the other hand, are cherry, ash, oak, maple, rosewood, poplar, walnut and teak.
Hardwood or softwood offers a different look, feel and hardness. The kind of wood that has been chosen will affect the quality and price of the piece. High quality spells top of the line pieces. The likes of solid Cherry, Oak, Mahogany or Maple are all wonderfully durable which is why these are also some of the most expensive pieces that one could own.
There are also pieces that come in combined woods. An example is when Cherry is used as an exterior piece and underneath it, there is a different kind of wood. When you encounter this kind of combined materials, take a step back and see if you can invest on a more expensive piece instead. Cherry finish is different from solid cherry furniture.
Remember that solid construction is no less than the highest quality of furniture creation. Whether you pick softwood or hardwood, what really counts is having a solid piece. Solid pieces are the most probable heirloom pieces because they are not engineered wood, plywood or particleboards.
Never settle for bargain pieces. Durability and quality come with firm, compact woods so look only for the latter.
Heirloom Means Quality Construction
Fine wood pieces always undergo proper construction. Poor construction undermines even the best of solid wood. Even if there are already technological advancements, the good, old-fashioned way of furniture construction is still considered best especially when you are considering a would-be heirloom piece.
Find joints that are wood-on-wood rather than those with metal or iron brackets. Ask about dovetails or mortise and tenon as these are the strongest joints that furniture manufacturers could use. Fitted joints significantly increase the contact area, hence, the furniture bonding strength becomes more substantial.
Heirloom Spells Superior Finish
Quality finish is essential in protecting your furniture piece and also in bringing out the beauty of the wooden furniture. Finishes provide varying degrees of furniture strength.
High quality finish might take a tad longer to create but they are definitely able to last longer and could provide more protection than other sorts of finishes.
Tags: age-proofing bathrooms, choosing heirloom pieces, fine furniture, furniture finish, heirloom furniture, heirloom pieces, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, quality furniture, shopping for heirloom furniture, tips, vintage, vintage design, vintage furniture, vintage interior design, vintage interiors
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101 | No Comments »
Follow us on our social media
© McCreery's Home Furnishings | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy
