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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.
Tags: benefits of using wood, hardwood, hardwood design, hardwood pieces, hardwood species, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, types of hardwood, wood, wood design element, wood elements, wood furniture, wood furniture benefits, wooden, wooden elements, wooden materials
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Monday, September 5th, 2016
1030_Highlands_Dining_Table
No homeowner buys furniture with the wish from the onset that this piece would someday fall apart or wobble after just a year or two. Of course, you also don’t want to have a chair that could turn into your embarrassment by having a guest crash to the floor once it is used. The determination of quality furniture can be tricky yet it would eventually pay to learn how to speak furniture. This all begins with learning the basic furniture categories.
Wood Veneer on Solid Wood
This kind of furniture has become renowned as of late because of the growing scarcity of hardwood. These come with veneers consisting of thin layers of decorative wood. If you are looking for high quality, hardwood furniture, then this isn’t the way to go. The veneer is actually prettier and more expensive wood placed atop a less expensive piece. This is an economical technique used by manufacturers to make furniture pieces that are affordable.
Buying veneer means you have to be extra careful. Feel the edges of the piece then make sure that they are tightly fused onto the subtrate. This is no indication of less quality but that you should just pay more attention to craftsmanship when buying veneer.
Solid Wood
This is a furniture piece that has zero wood fiber or particle board. This is the board milled coming from the tree. Nothing can be more natural than this.
Solid wood could be hard (e.g. walnut) or soft (e.g. fir or pine). More often than not, wood can be refinished and has a long lifespan. It is also possible if you want to keep it as an heirloom. Find wider boards that are matched in color and grain so that you achieve a consistent appearance.
Solid Wood Products
Watch out for this phrase when you are out shopping for the best furniture materials. This could become a trap that could lead you astray if you’re not careful enough. Solid wood product is indicative of particle board or MDF but never solid wood.
Solid Hardwood
This is the most durable wood furniture option. Since it is hardwood, you can be guaranteed that the furniture piece will last for hundreds of years especially when you take good care of it. Maple, cherry and oak are great examples of hardwood. Just run your hand through the surface, it should feel smooth to the touch.
Laminate
This can look like real wood or it could also come in different colors. This is a sturdy surface material that is commonly applied over a fiberboard or particle board. Wood grain laminate is a photo of wood grain applied to the base material before sealing.
Just like when you’re buying veneer, make sure that you check the smoothness of the laminate. It should also be well-attached to the base, if not, this could result in chipping or early wearing and tearing.
Hooker Furniture Bedroom Rhapsody King Tufted Bed
Wood Veneer on Medium-Density Fiberboard or Particle Board
This is less durable than sturdy wood because it is comprised of outer veneer or particle board as covering. This is often engineered so it is stable. It offers the look of wood but just don’t expect too much of it. What this is is just mid-range furniture so you may have it for a few years.
Upholstered Pieces
This is the term used on any kind of furniture with fabric or leather covers. It also has webbing, springs, and/or padding. Find quality pieces that are kiln-dried, hardwood furniture frames. These should be stapled or nailed. Check the joints and make sure that they are tight and well-fit.
Generally, take a very good look as you take a step back. The fabric patterns should be carefully matched. Always look for a consistent finish with zero imperfections.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, tips, types of wood furniture, wood, wood design element, wood elements, wood furniture categories, wood furniture types, wooden, wooden furniture
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Friday, May 20th, 2016
Hooker Furniture Dining Room Chatelet Rectangle Leg Dining Table with Two 18-in Leaves. Doesn’t this wooden ensemble bring to mind the medieval era?
The world of interior design is not as stylish without the beauty of wood furniture. Both contemporary and traditional homes can use this unique material to their advantage. Wood can be locally sourced, it can be recycled or it can be harvested from a sustainable environment. Wooden buildings are also a great way to seamlessly fuse your interiors with the beauty of nature.
Since the dawn of time, man has been living close or even on trees. Many wooden homes have been built over thousands of years. Wood offers organic warmth, softness, and classic beauty. This is no less than the best construction material today and in the years to come.
Be Mother Earth’s Best Friend
Stylizing your home with wood furniture, walls or flooring makes it a haven of nature (more so when the materials were harvested from a sustainable society). Build a home for your loved ones that harnesses and highlights the beauty of wood. This can be the perfect home to grow old in or become a nest. Either way, you are utilizing the incomparable beauty of wood which no material will be able to equal.
Wood Properties
Wood is a construction or building material that comes with many useful properties. It is strong and is a natural thermal insulator. It is an effective storage for heat. It is also able to control humidity under the right setting.
You can be innovative with wood. You can even cover or create everything with it. So go ahead and use wood on your roof, walls, the flooring and just about everywhere else.
Lumber is often used in joists, columns and beams. The house is surely going to be much more durable if you use wood in these parts. If you used conventional wood, then there is also the added protection of it being fire-retardant.
Controlled Temperature
Because of wood’s property to insulate, your home will have a comfortable temperature. The thick walls, floor and roof will keep you and your loved ones warm especially during the coldest seasons. In essence, you won’t be feeling too cold or too hot so you’ll surely live in a home where the temperature’s just right.
An Awesome Aesthetic Appeal
The lumber market is a huge one and there is a great reason behind that. Wood is a classic material whether you use it to build your home or on furniture. Lumber looks great whether you bought it directly from the mill or if you pay the best home furnishing shops a visit. Our site, www.mccreerys.com features the loveliest wood pieces which you can proudly display in your home.
From the Viniterra Collection of FFDM.
The Acoustics Are Phenomenal
The simple reason why most homeowners choose wood as a staple material in their home is that it is one of the best building materials on the planet. Its acoustics are great plus you get to contribute to the lengthening of Mother Earth’s days.
Cabinetmaking would not have been as phenomenal were it not for wood. Wood is a major furniture material and this shouldn’t come as a surprise since it offers so much more than a beautiful look.
Wood Is Holistic
In a world where holistic living is now an ongoing trend, there is no recourse but to join in. Your home could have an ambitious space or it could be homey but if you use wood in either, what you achieve is an aesthetic beauty coupled with durability.
Try living in a wooden home and bring in the rustic beauty of wood furniture sets. Your home could also come with wood insulation and wood finishes. Use treated wood so it is fortified against pests and the onslaught of the harshest elements.
Isn’t wood divine?
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, rustic, rustic charm, rustic design, rustic elements, rustic look, rustic style, rustic theme, wood, wood accents, wood design element, wood elements, wood furniture, wood furniture pieces, wood pieces, wooden elements, wooden materials
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Thursday, April 21st, 2016
Whitewashed piece is from FFDM’s Campton Grove Collection
Antique finds and vintage pieces – the distressed, imperfect and cracked finishes, add the sparkling crystal chandeliers, old yet fresh-smelling linens, lots of white – yes, these describe the shabby chic style perfectly. This interior design theme is not for everyone, though. Shabby chic is luxurious yet still comfortable. This thrives in the spirit of seemingly old stuff yet new and clean.
This Style Ain’t Shabby
Don’t ever let the word shabby fool you into embracing the principles of this wonderful theme. It may seem unstructured to look at, at first, but the lack of formal rules is what makes this style timeless. It brings in an effortless sophistication into any home.
Don’t think of flea markets, though, or cheap retail shops or you would be disappointed with what you would find.
Say yes to handicrafts, vintage textiles , and white, distressed furniture. There is no need to search high and low for the best whitewashed furniture pieces, we have everything that you would need to set up your shabby chic home.
Get the look with these simple guidelines –
Universal Furniture Bedroom Storage Bed King 987260SB
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, neutral, neutral design, neutral palette, rustic, rustic charm, rustic home, rustic interior design, rustic interiors, rustic look, rustic style, shabby chic, shabby chic design, shabby chic interior design, shabby chic interiors, shabby chic style, vintage, vintage design, vintage furniture, vintage interior design, vintage interiors, white, white color palette, white color scheme, white furnishings, white interior design, white interiors, wood, wood design element, wood elements, wooden, wooden elements, wooden furniture
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
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