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Friday, October 28th, 2016
This lovely piece comes from FFDM’s Cachet Collection.
Being able to tell which wood furniture is real or fake takes skills. Of course, wanting to make an heirloom of a furniture piece means you have to recognize solid wood from laminated or veneer pieces. Here are some of the determining factors –
Solid Wood Is Heavy
Really heavy, actually. Solid wood furniture is heavy because it is, well, made of solid wood. A fairly lightweight piece means it is something else.
Quality Construction
One of the most obvious indicators of solid wood furniture is its dovetail construction. The tongue and groove that you see right where the drawer is linked to the drawer, spell quality; coming from the drawer construction, it’s time to check the sides and bottom part of the furniture.
You will be able to see veneer if you check on the side. It would be easy to see the veneer sheet that is attached to the front of the furniture. Unfinished wood at the bottom is an indicator that you are looking at solid wood furniture. Laminate pieces tend to cover every part of the furniture, from top to bottom.
Check also the wood grain. Horizontal grains right on the edges indicate veneers. Solid wood has zero grains on the edges.
If you are able to feel the grain or even see a pattern, then you probably have solid wood furniture. It might be difficult to feel using your fingertips at times especially when sealing was done. To inspect, check if you see any repetitive patterns. This isn’t possible with solid wood as is the lack of texture. A very smooth surface is probably veneer, too.
Quality Carving
Shoddily constructed furniture cannot bear carvings, meaning, you won’t see them on veneers and laminates. Carved details on furniture have the power to transform an ordinary piece of wood to an ornamental wonder.
Wood carving is far from easy, more so for beginners. This means that only master craftsmen are able to come up with carved pieces that are being sold in the market. And since only the experts are able to create these designs on furniture, such pieces automatically cost more.
The cost is worth it, though. You don’t just invest in an heirloom piece but a piece that will be highly-sought in terms of visual pleasure.
Natural Look
Solid wood has naturally beautiful lines and patterns. These are difficult to achieve in other materials. Throughout the years, solid wood pieces would show their age yet they can be kept at that state or refinished.
Sturdiness
Apart from natural beauty, wood is also naturally sturdy. It is durability that you can rely on for many, many years. This means you won’t be buying furniture replacement soon.
With proper care, you won’t even have to worry about mold or termite. Small scratches and nicks can be easily touched up.
Solid Wood Is Green
There are now sustainable ways of harvesting wood. So if you’re obsessing over owning solid wood furniture but are worried about your responsibility to planet Earth, there’s no need to fret anymore. You can now make savvy choices with your solid wood piece selections.
Modern sustainability means cutting down trees from tree farms. This could also mean keeping the same piece of furniture in your family for a very long time. Several generations could end up enjoying this one piece so what could be greener than that?
Bamboo may not be considered wood since it is a type of grass. It is fast-growing and resilient and this has become the poster material for all things sustainable and environment-friendly.
Bamboo can be used as a material for quality solid wood furniture, too.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, shopping for wood furniture, solid wood furniture
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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.
Fine Furniture Design Salisbury Home Entertainment Left Wall Unit Top 1020-692TL.
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.
Tags: benefits of using wood, benefits of wood furniture, classic, classic design, hardwood, hardwood design, hardwood furniture, hardwood pieces, hardwood species, hardwoods, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, oakwood, solid wood furniture, traditional style, traditional theme, walnut hardwood, walnut hardwood type, walnut wood, warm colors, wood elements
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