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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
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design 101 | No Comments »
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
Posted in Furniture, Interior Design Elements | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 20th, 2016
Fine Furniture Design Home Office Trade Winds Writing Desk 1220-925 at McCreerys Home Furnishings.
The office desk is the central point of every work space. It is crucial, therefore, that you take the time to choose the right one. Don’t start looking at it as a daunting task, rather, an exciting phase that you need to go through.
There are many kinds of workspaces ranging from wide open, tiny to the hugely efficient. The perfect layout only becomes so if you find the right desk. Yet how do you get to choose the best?
The first thing that you need to remember is that the office desk is actually all about you. This is going to be your home base and private domain. While other office furniture must take into consideration other requirements, the office desk is one that has to meet yours. Prioritize your work habits as well as your preferences as you formulate the questions in choosing your work desk.
The office desk is both a computer work station and a place for paperwork. Make sure that it is able to carry computer equipment in such a way that cable clutter is reduced to a bare minimum. Some compartments will serve as storage for your computer components as well as important documents.
Take for instance the Fine Furniture Design Home Office Trade Winds Writing Desk (1220-925). This comes from the fine collection of Palm Island with a unique, softer finish called BALI. This is the perfect desk to invest in if you want your home office to stand out. Its finish offers a sun bleached look. Materials like hand-woven rattan pieces or woven padded twill will complement the BALI finish. Its hardware comprises custom metal and natural wood.
If you are going to use a desk for administrative purposes, then be sure to find a huge one that can accommodate shuffling and paper cataloguing. Storing or shelving documents and records will always be an issue in any office space so it pays to considering having an ancillary cabinet.
Do you also need to conduct meetings while you are seated in your work station? Then consider setting up a U-shaped or L-shaped layout. This will give you both a restrictive space where you can do administrative tasks, and an open space where you can hold conferences with others.
The discreet armoire can tone down a workplace ambiance.
The Hooker Furniture Home Office Skyline Executive Desk is definitely for the big boss.
Desk Materials
Common materials used in crafting office desks are metal, plastics and, of course, wood.
Wooden materials come in different colors and grain patterns.
Desks made of solid wood are great for aesthetic purposes. These may be pricier at first but you get to use it for the rest of your life. When maintained well enough, hardwood desks could even become heirloom pieces.
Hooker Furniture Home Office Treviso Writing Desk 5374-10459 at McCreerys Home Furnishings.
Cleaning Wooden Desks
It is important to clean wood furniture if you want it to last. Solid wood furniture cannot be cleaned with just any ordinary furniture polish. A lot of the most popular furniture polishes have silicone and wax ingredients.
It’s best to avoid these polishes. Wax can leave residue that has a tendency to build up overtime. This can eventually lead to an uneven or cloudy appearance. Silicone, on the other hand, leaves behind white deposits that tend to destroy rather than improve furniture finishes.
Clean wooden desks 6 to 12 times every year. A mixture of mild soap and water should do. Dust your wooden office desk every week using a dry cloth. Dust can also be abrasive so when left on wooden surfaces, it can dull the appearance of the furniture.
Acquiring a beautiful piece such as the Treviso writing desk on the right requires a lot of attention – maintenance wise and social status wise. This office desk was aptly named from a province north of Venice right on the Adriatic Sea. Treviso offers authenticity, one that ages beautifully through the years. Notice that dark macchiato finish of this rustic office desk. It will take you through the Italian Renaissance because of its lovely Old World antique look.
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Posted in Furniture, Home Office Design, Interior Design Elements, Office Design | No Comments »
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