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Tuesday, June 27th, 2017
Hooker Furniture Living Room Pinta Trail Strong Box Cocktail Table
Throughout furniture-making history, furniture pieces evolved just as societies grew and also developed. Of course, people had access to different materials as time moved forward. To determine fine woodworking history, you have to learn the categories as to where each wood furniture belongs to.
The first category is by species and the more renowned way of categorizing furniture periods is by century where multiple centuries sometimes comprise a design theme.
For today, though, you will learn about the species-based categorization.
The Oak Period
The age of oak comprises the pieces that were crafted during the British Tudor monarch reigns. Think of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, etc.
Oak was the leading species of wood that was used during this period. Just like other period designs, there isn’t any clear beginning as well as an end. One could deduce, though, that it span a period of about 160 years with about 1,500 characteristics seen.
The Oak Period also retained much of the Gothic era. Just look at the carvings on panels and the frames and you would know that Gothic still has much influence over this style. Pierced carving became less popular, though.
The furniture pieces during this period were massive and sturdy. Many ordered four poster beds, heavy, rectangular tables and chairs with stout legs. Benches for general uses were also a popular item.
The 17th century, also called the Jacobean period, happened around 1603 as James I became the ruling monarch. Elizabethan oak gave way to the less ornamented pieces. Table legs became straighter and lost the bulky turnings. The profiles became lower and a tad more rectangular.
The Jacobean furniture pieces during Cromwell the Protector’s time were square, frugal and stern. With the monarchy returned to Charles II, once more, the Carolean furniture paved the way for a more ornate design.
The Walnut Period
This term does not describe any particular furniture style. This period is roughly dated 1600-1730. A probable reason behind the birth of walnut furniture making is the improvement in sawing. During this time, furniture makers were able to saw thinner than an inch, hence, more and more of them employed these planks in their works of art.
It was also during this time that carved surfaces decreased in number because a new technique has emerged. Thanks to the use of walnut inlaid as well as the veneered walnut upon oak.
The Mahogany and Satinwood Period
The Mahogany Age dominated mid-18th century. During that time, furniture styles became a lot simpler. People were slowly veering away from ornamented pieces as elegance is expressed in finer, flowing lines.
Later, the pieces became more fretted, heavily carved, and the cabriole leg emerged. At first, it was too plain with the pad foot but it developed into something that has a bit of carving, hairy paw, ball-and-claw or the lion’s feet.
The Satinwood age still saw the popularity of mahogany though the Adams brothers popularized the less curvilinear pieces.
Camden Collection’s Brookston Cal King Bed
18th to 19th Century
Speaking in terms of 18th century furniture means Chippendale, Georgian, Queen Anne, French, Regency, Sheraton, etc. Whether you’re thinking about British, American or French, commercialism has emerged and mass-produced pieces were welcomed in the market.
The cabinetmakers became the rock stars of this furniture era.
During the 19th century, all people could think about is the Industrial Revolution. Society changed and so did the furniture makers. The individual craftsman has vanished and the mass-producing manufacturers have emerged.
Revival styles were already a lot easier to make.
The 20th Century
This comprises many furniture and wood styles. Included are Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Modern and Post-modern styles, to name a few. During this era, more materials have emerged, paving the way for more diverse furniture styles.
Tags: furniture era, furniture eras, furniture periods, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, wood furniture, wood furniture pieces
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Furniture Periods According to Wood Types and Eras
Saturday, August 20th, 2016
FFDM Campton Grove Collection
Have you ever heard about the amount of time needed to clean, wax, dust or polish wood furniture? Despite these tasks, are you still willing to own wood furniture? It wouldn’t be a surprise if you are still more than willing to have one since wood furniture is traditionally beautiful.
Experts have different opinions when it comes to caring for wood furniture but, more often than not, it is dependent on the finish of the furniture piece.
When you are out to buy wood furniture, make sure that you ask for specific care and maintenance guidelines. Here are some of the classic cleaning materials for your equally classic wood furniture –
Feather Duster
That regular feather duster can effectively remove dust even from the most delicate surfaces like mirrors, lampshades, art and collectibles. If it can clean these, then it could also lightly clean any wooden surface.
Lamb’s Wool Duster
This contains lanolin that attracts dust. The cleaning tool makes the dirt cling even in carved or turned areas. This can also be used to clean ceiling fans and light fixtures. Having a long handle for this cleaning tool will make it ideal in reaching difficult-to-reach spaces.
Treated Cloth
This is also great for dusting especially when you want the non-scratching type of cleaner. Use this in place of the silicon spray which is not recommended by experts for all types of fine wood furniture.
Lint-Free Cloth
Clean cotton T-shirts, even diapers, can be used. Just use a little water to dampen the cloth.
Terry Towel
A clean, dry towel should be able to remove moisture that has been left from previous cleaning.
Hooker Furniture Dining Room True Vintage Round Dining Table
Other Cleaning Tips
The use of all-purpose cleaning spray should be limited to furniture pieces made of plastic. If you’re thinking of using this cleaning agent for wood furniture, stop. All-purpose sprays are too harsh for wood just like water will damage the piece. There is only one instance when you can use water to clean wood and it is to clean up sticky spots. When faced with this circumstance, dip a soft cloth in mild detergent dissolved in clean water. Wring the cloth but just enough so it is still a little damp.
Cleaners, oil polishes and furniture oils can protect wood by having the wooden surface turn slippery. While this is so, these do not offer a hard, protective layer. Be careful in using cleaners with oil as they could also smear wooden surfaces.
Never polish with pure olive oil as it can smear and attract dust. Most liquid polishes contain silicone oil that can provide some protection. If polishes and sprays have been used in the past to clean your wood furniture or if you suspect that someone polished with these oils, then prepare to see some residues. The residue will interfere with refinishing and in such a case, professional attention may already be needed.
You may also rely on homemade recipes for cleaning wood. There are a few experts that recommend cleaning grimy wood with equal parts of denatured alcohol, olive oil, strained lemon juice and gum turpentine. Apply the mixture using a clean, soft cloth.
Lastly, remember that during manufacture, it is possible that polyurethane, varnish or shellac has been applied to the wood furniture in order to protect it. The application of wax protects the wood’s finish and could even reduce scratches. If you want a longer-lasting protection, apply some wax. This doesn’t smear plus it offers durability more than polishes or sprays. Just learn how to apply wax and how often. Paste wax can last for as long as two years. Liquid wax applies thinly but it also needs to be applied more frequently.
Tags: caring for wood furniture, caring for wooden furniture, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, wood furniture, wood furniture care, wood furniture maintenance, wood furniture pieces, wooden elements, wooden furniture, wooden furniture care, wooden furniture maintenance, wooden furniture maintenance tips, wooden materials
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Saturday, June 25th, 2016
FFDM’s RayLen Vineyards
Do you agree that furniture and wooden things are very much a part of man’s everyday life? Some are used for functional reasons such as the dining table and the chairs that are paired with it. Others are used for aesthetic reasons like those antique carvings and sculptures. Still others are simply used for symbolic or sentimental reasons such as an heirloom chest and other collectibles. Speak of heirloom pieces, most of these – if you have keenly made observations – are made of wood. Whatever the purpose of each wooden furniture piece, one thing is certain about each one of them – they need to be properly cared for.
Damages Are Preventable
It is a total waste to see fine wooden pieces go to waste all because the owners did not care for them. There are many forms of damages or destruction that can actually be prevented. As the furniture owner, you have a huge amount of influence on how your furniture would eventually end up.
Misunderstanding the use or nature of wooden objects can sometimes lead to damage. Other causes could be the poorly-controlled environment specifically regarding humidity, temperature and lighting. Carelessness, of course, can also lead to furniture damage.
But all wooden things degrade, right? Sure. While this is so, the processes of destruction can be substantially slowed down. What you need to do is to apply certain principles of care as well as maintenance.
So what should you do? Keep in mind that there is no perfect environment for any furniture made of wood. There are different conditions under which a certain furniture can deteriorate over time. Just like other materials, there is a so-called optimal environment that can provide the best balance for wooden furniture. This optimal environment is at 40º Fahrenheit with about 50% relative humidity. It is also advisable that the furniture be free from constant contact and in a chamber that is not constantly exposed to light. Now, having read these conditions, do you think it’s feasible to have a wooden furniture used?
The least that a wooden furniture owner could do is to try to minimize the effects of temperature, humidity and light on his prized piece.
Hooker Furniture Bedroom True Vintage Dresser
Light
The easiest environmental problem that you can resolve with regard to furniture damage is that of light. Light interacts with anything that it illuminates, thus, it can damage furniture surfaces over time. The amount of damage is dependent on the color and intensity of the light used. The brighter the light, the more damage it could cause. Light damage often comes in the form of discolored surfaces. These, however, can be easily solved by installing screens, curtains and other types of window treatments.
Humidity
Humidity constantly changes, hence, it continually pushes and pulls on wooden objects. This issue can be solved by dehumidifying during summer and humidifying during the winter season. Raising temperature tends to lower the humidity and a lowered temperature does the opposite.
Use humidistat to keep your wooden furniture intact.
Biopredation
Microorganisms and small animals can also attack wood. Wood’s eternal enemies are rodents, insects, and fungi. Keep a close watch over your furniture and make sure that you and your family members do not leave food or anything that can lure these animals to your furniture.
If you see any exit holes on your wooden furniture, then it is probable that termites are starting to infest it. Fumigate if necessary. As for mold, fungi, and mildew, they can be kept at bay if you stain your wooden furniture. Make sure also that moisture is kept out.
Fire
Fire is something that may be accidental but it can cause the most damage in one instant. To avoid the occurrence of fire, be sure to keep hot items off the furniture or even near it. Steaming tureens, irons, even coffee mugs should be kept away.
Keep caring for wood furniture and you would enjoy it for a very long time. Who knows, your grandchildren might even get to inherit it from you?
Tags: caring for wood furniture, caring for wooden furniture, designing with wood, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, wood, wood elements, wood furniture maintenance, wood furniture pieces, wooden elements, wooden furniture, wooden furniture care, wooden furniture maintenance, wooden furniture maintenance tips
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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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Monday, January 25th, 2016
This FFDM Protege chair will be a lovely ‘mismatch’ to another neutral-colored seating piece.
If your heart jumps each time you see a condominium unit or a townhouse, then know that you have to prepare to live in a place that is cozy. Foregoing the idea of an open space plan is not an easy decision to make but should you sign up for this kind of home, then it’s time to look for the right design that is most suitable for it. ‘Ever considered the shabby chic style?
Okay, so you have saved every bit of hard-earned money and have sacrificed on shopping and travel – what now?
Old vs. New
Carefully plan what theme you will use before you move in to your new condominium or townhouse unit. One of the most utilized, these days, when it comes to limited space is the shabby chic concept.
Rachel Ashwell popularized this stylish interior design concept to focus on comfort, highlight the beauty of seemingly time-worn furniture and objects, and for the homeowner to appreciate practical living.
This concept can even guide you in mixing traditional and new pieces. Choose from our catalogue and find the right furniture, accessories and lighting fixtures.
If you are thinking of buying second-hand furniture, think again. It is much better to have new furniture given a distressed appeal than to take the risk of buying the damaged ones. Bargain shops sell at the lowest prices but you are never guaranteed of the quality of the stuff that you are buying. So, it is much better to invest in a few quality pieces than to have different sets of furniture only to end up spending more money on repairs.
Coming from the Ancestry Collection of FFDM, this light-colored drawer is sure to be a big hit inside any shabby chic setting.
Let’s Decorate
The shabby chic style is basically minimalist and is almost synonymous with white. You may paint the walls of your home with flat white, pearl, cream, or any shade of white. Apart from having white(ish) walls, take note that you also need to have a few white furniture and accent pieces. These will add a distinct as well as intimate feel to your home. White furnishings are also easy to clean using your regular household bleach.
Now, which room would you like to design first?
First, there’s the living room. Carry the modern facade from the outside to this part of your home. Your condominium or townhouse unit will surely have a rustic yet cozy appeal once you start bringing in the lovely furniture and accent pieces.
The living room must have a clean yet non-antiseptic feel. It should be minimalist but with a few accent pieces to boost such as a lovely chest, a coffee table, console table, or some shelves.
In the dining room, be sure to showcase a table that was aged to sit perfectly in this important space. Have a Victorian couch rest against the white wall. Wicker chairs would look lovely when placed with white curtains as backdrop.
Now to the kitchen: have the furniture and appliances in neutral colors. This is so they won’t clash with the condo or townhouse’s overall appeal.
If you are one of those who prefer to have a home office, then use a white desk as much as you can. Now couple the lovely white desk with a unique accent chair and some neutral shelves.
Should you still have space for one guest room, then make sure that this room is just as cozy as the rest of your home. Use the same shade on the walls and on the furniture that will be placed there. Since the bed is pretty much the focal point, then take time to choose the ones that you will invest in for the master bedroom as well as this room.
Lastly, with your shabby chic bathroom, ascertain that you do not miss out on an ornate mirror that will bring character to this room. Find one that has a wooden frame that matches the stylish theme that you have chosen.
Tags: classic, classic design, classic home, classic interiors, classic style, feminine, feminine design, feminine interior design, feminine interiors, feminine style, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, minimalist, minimalist design, old, old vs. new, rustic, rustic charm, rustic design, rustic elements, rustic home, rustic interior design, rustic interiors, rustic look, rustic style, rustic theme, shabby chic, shabby chic design, shabby chic interior design, shabby chic interiors, timeless, timeless design, timeless interior design, timeless interiors, tips, white, white color palette, white color scheme, white furnishings, wood, wood elements, wood furniture pieces, wooden elements, wooden furniture
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