Guide
Over the last decade or so reclaimed wood/old wood furniture has become a hot trend when it comes to choice of interior design material. Simply put, reclaimed wood or old wood is any wood taken from an old wooden floors, houses, or pieces of furniture, that is then refurbished into naturally distressed flooring, sculptures, furniture and home building materials. Reclaimed wood has many benefits.
Highly valued :
Many types of wood today can no longer be found naturally to make furniture. The American Chestnut tree is one such example. It was wiped out by blight, and only buildings that were made from it survive. Furniture made from reclaimed wood of this nature is highly valued as it preserves in its genetic coding a type of tree that no longer exists. Reclaiming American Chestnut wood gives ecologists a rare opportunity to study a vanished species. This is true of some other woods as well and not just science is effected. History gets reused and re-recorded, and future generations will be able to examine reclaimed wood for the story it provides.
Ecological Benefits :
Most importantly to note, are the ecological benefits of reclaimed wood furniture. Rather than complete restoration of broken old pieces of wood furniture, which would be costly to the environment because of the chemicals used in the restoration process, the reclaimed wood that still has some strength left to it is fashioned into a “new” piece of furniture. Another ecological benefit of reclaimed wood furniture is the wood that’s taken from old pieces of furniture that have been abandoned/discarded and are no longer of use and reusing wood that would end up in a dump or landfill to rot over time. Making reclaimed furniture this way helps ensure that less waste takes up space and any paint or other chemicals on that wood doesn’t get into the watershed and into our bodies through the groundwater and our water system. Additional ecological benefits of reclaimed wood furniture means that more trees stay in the wild providing homes for animals and keeping the air fresh and breathable, as well as preventing landslides and mudslides. Trees don’t need to be harvested for reclaimed wood furniture; they were harvested years ago and we just reuse that wood for another purpose. More trees never need be planted to replace trees that were never harvested when reclaimed wood is recycled for furniture and homes and art. Less money, less gas used to build, less fumes to pollute the air, less smog, and less of so much more that would damage the ecology of the world benefits from reclaimed wood and reclaimed wood furniture. No matter how you cut it (and shape it!) reclaimed wood furniture is all around better for the environment.
Wood is a porous, natural material comprised of natural fibres that can bend, stretch and breathe. The older wood becomes, the more these pores and fibres loosen, allowing for more opportunity for moisture and dirt to seep into its surfaces. When it comes to antique wood furniture, it is absolutely essential to minimize the damaging effects caused by dirt particles and moisture.
Depending on the type of finish of the wood (placed above the top layer of the wood, to stain or seal the wood), the piece of antique furniture may still soak up any used product or moisture coming in contact with the surface.
This is one of the main reasons why antique dealers will always suggest to using an oil-based solution instead of wax.
Wax can actually seal dirt into the wood while an oil-based solution helps in loosening the dirt and in bringing it to the surface for removal.
There are three basic points to run you through that will have you well on your way towards caring for your antique piece of furniture.
1. Removing the effect of moisture :
Once moisture enters the wood, not only does it weaken the fibres of the wood by softening them, it can also leave white spots on the surface of your furniture which tend to be unsightly. Depending on the severity of the damage these marks may be removed.
To do so begin by placing a heavy piece of office-grade ink blotting paper available at any stationery store over the affected area. Iron on a low heat over the affected area. This
will cause the excess moisture to be drawn into the blotting paper.
2. Removal of dirt :
Let’s begin by saying, nobody likes dirt.
Furniture that has been stored for many years will more often than not have lots of dirt and grime both on and within its surfaces. Removal of the dirt without scratching the delicate, aged wood is the secret here. A vacuum cleaner without any attachments on the hose can be used along with a paintbrush to take off large pieces of dirt without causing any damage.
After the first step you should apply a layer of furniture oil. Be generous in doing so. Apply evenly over all parts. Allow it to sit on the furniture for a while. Make sure when you apply the oil you do so in the same direction as the grain on the wood with the help of a soft paintbrush, once again to avoid damaging the furniture.
After a while, preferably overnight, use a clean old sock on your hand and gently massage the extra oil along the grain of the wood. Using a sock allows you to cover all areas well, including curved and carved areas.
Lastly use an old discarded t-shirt to remove all excess oil and grime. The process is time consuming but the results are positive. Just remember not to be in any sort of a rush when you do so. Pay attention to all the affected areas.
3. Removal of odor :
To remove any odor from wooden drawers or cabinets, traditional methods are best stuck to. Use a mix of coffee
grounds and rice solution. (sprinkle dry coffee grounds in the drawers and cabinets, after a while do the same with rice ) Let the mixture sit for about a week or so. Later just vacuum it all off.
Depending upon the strength of the smell, the process may need to be repeated. Stubborn odors such as tobacco or mildew, may need the use of lemon oil or orange oil on a regular basis but heck if it works its worth the time and effort.
Summer is right around the corner (faster in some parts of the nation) and the time is nigh to begin planning for entertainment purposes outside on those late summer evenings when the weather is nice and cool. An outdoor dining area is the perfect place to host a small dinner party. If carried out perfectly you could be the toast of the town among your group of friends, which is what we are trying to achieve here. If you are interested in setting up the perfect outdoor dining experience, here are some pointers that will help you along your way to doing so.
1. Make sure your furniture is well protected :
Most of us live in a part of the country where we have to deal with different types of weather. From a sudden searing hot day to an unforeseen relief shower, the weather is most unpredictable. Whatever it may be providing cover to your furniture is the best solution. Not only will it protect your furniture but also provide you with the opportunity to dine out throughout the year.
Provide for drapes as they not only add an extra layer of protection but also soften the structure on the eyes.
2. Provide adequate artificial lighting :
A light source near or above the dining area allows for the opportunity for an enjoyable soiree past sundown. Attractive options such as chandeliers are also easy on the eyes while also making your space more usable as the early evening turns into night.
3. Selecting the perfect spot :
You need not necessarily have a large garden. It might take a little bit of thought and rearrangement, but there is always someplace available to create your perfect little dining area. It could be anywhere, from right in the middle to the back under a tree, the choice is yours as long as you get it right and set the mood for the occasion.
4. Consider your outdoor dining experience as a destination spot :
Your dining area sits in a park-like setting surrounded by bushes, trees and probably a pool. By placing it away from your home itself, it becomes a destination spot for guests. It creates the perfect atmosphere for people to just hang out.
5. Make your outdoor dining experience an extension of your home :
The outdoor dining area is the perfect opportunity to incorporate personal taste and style with furniture and accessories of your choice. Look for opportunities to incorporate art.
6. Provide for a heat source on colder days :
You will be able to provide for shade naturally on hot days if you have planned your setting well. It’s providing for cooler days that is important. A small fire pit or an artificial source that blends with the surrounding is the perfect solution to this. It gives you the opportunity to host cook-outs and barbeques.
7. Be bold, be brave :
There is no need to necessarily have a wooden dining table. Go for something different. Probably a stone based table with old rustic metallic furniture. The choice are boundless and add to the natural flow while being easy on the eye. Adding a fully stocked bar never hurts either.
After reading and employing the above stated points you should pretty much be on your way to setting up the perfect outdoor dining area. Remember : it is an extension of your home, an extension of you.
How To Protect Your Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor wooden furniture for your patios, backyards, balconies and terraces are an addition that look classy and last long. Wooden furniture, however, can be easily damaged in harsh weather. As such you should take precautions and prepare your outdoor wooden furniture for specific weather conditions you may deal with.
The major points to consider are :
Location :
One of the most important aspect to consider when it comes to protecting your furniture is to know what kind of weather it is your dealing with. Someone who lives in a place like Delhi will not necessarily need a water sealant, but should rather consider painting their furniture to protect it from the heat of the sun. A person living in Pune, however, may want to consider water sealant. People specific to the area know their weather best and as such should be sure to acquire the furniture protection they may actually need.
Paint :
To have the best protection against natural elements, you should use paint on your wooden furniture outdoors. Although this will lead to losing the natural look of the wood the provision of paint will give the best protection to your furniture. Paint protects wooden furniture by reflecting the UV radiation from the sun. It will help protect the wood underneath the layer of paint saving it from problems like rot. For such cases choose latex paint over oil-based paints as they tend to last longer. Depending on the piece of furniture and the weather conditions you should keep reapplying paint from time to time.
Water Sealers :
If you happen to live in a region prevalent with rainy weather, or if you feel you need to keep your outdoor wooden furniture well protected, you should take a look into applying a water sealant to your furniture. A water sealant not only provides a beautiful look to the wood but also keeps the furniture well protected. A water sealant not only protects your piece of furniture from liquids on the outside, but also allows for liquids within to evaporate thus helping to avoid splitting, rotting, and warping.
Varnish :
Another technique to protect your outdoor wooden furniture is varnish. The most tried and tested technique among Indian furniture owners, you can acquire varnish from your local home store. There are a variety of options available, so be sure to acquire a viable option. Just like in the case of a water sealant, this will help to maintain the look of the wood although it does not protect as well as paint. Also be sure to apply a coating every now and then.
Covers :
Patio covers will offer physical protection to your furniture from not only the weather but also other forms of harm. Make sure you have your measurements right for each specific piece of furniture.
Placement :
Where you decide to locate your furniture on will also affect how much damage the piece of furniture will garner over time. At the edges of the patio or balcony furniture will take a heavier beating from the sun and rain, which will have easier access to it. When you foresee a storm coming or on a hot and sunny day, be sure to pull your piece of furniture towards the interior. Precaution is the best cure.
10 Reasons to be Inclined Towards Wooden Furniture
With advancements in technology and industry alternatives to wooden furniture are available in plenty. This brings us to the question….why buy wooden furniture? For a start wooden furniture is a favourite among most people looking to find that perfect piece of furniture for their space, be it home the office, well whatever it may be. The feeling of having a little bit of the outdoor feel indoors is irresistible to most. This has led to trends such as designer furniture, not without cause, all of which shall be explained in brief and as aptly as possible. So here are some of the reasons why you should probably opt for a piece of wooden furniture the next time your looking for something to fill in those empty gaps.
1. Wooden Furniture Gives A Natural Look :
Wood in general is beautiful to look at : the patterns and lines running across in sync with each other. They tend to be appealing to the eye. Natural beauty, RARE! The finish to a piece of wooden furniture is always carried out with the beauty of the piece in mind.
2. Wooden Furniture is Easy to Look After :
Good quality wooden furniture that has been well made is usually durable making it a pleasant benefit for the owner. It can be kept both indoors as well as outdoors free from worry of rot due to fungus or termites.
3. Wooden Furniture is Strong and Reselient :
Wood is naturally tough. Try breaking a piece with your bare hands….nothing, guessed as much. Such durability is reliable when faced with high duty as well. You most certainly will not be looking for a replacement anytime soon. Soon being a very very long time.
4. Unmatchable When It Comes To Décor :
Being pleasant to look and excellent naturally to the eye, wooden furniture will make for a great focal point. It is authentic and an antique feel to it.
5. Easy to Maintain :
All wooden furniture needs from time to time is a good clean wipe. There are also multitudes of cleaning products available incase of stains, usually simple to use.
6. Strong Resistance To Weather :
Seasons will come and go, but your furniture will be fine. You will grow old but if your wooden furniture is well taken care of by you personally it will not age or damage easily. Even outdoors wooden furniture does not necessarily require storage or covering. Its always better to play it safe though.
7. The Best Investment :
Forget what is being passed around by word of mouth wooden furniture is truly the best investment available to you. A good piece/set can be quite expensive, however it will make a long lasting and smart investment for your home/any other space. You get beauty, quality, comfort and a lifetimes worth of memories all in one.
8. Eco Friendly :
Wood is always a better choice when compared to the other options available in the market such as plastic.
9. Flexibility :
Wooden furniture can always be modified. It can be both indoors or outdoors. It will fit any given space almost perfectly.
10. Natural Living Furniture :
Saving the best for last need you be reminded that Natural Living Furniture offers you a lifetime warranty on every piece of furniture. Wait, it gets better. After 10 years if you decide you want something new Natural Living will offer you a 60% buy back on your old piece of furniture.
Need anything else be said….?
It is not all that difficult for one to judge the quality of wooden furniture, and you need not have to be an expert to do so. All that is required essentially is that you give a good look at the material, construction and finish. Take your time in doing so. Lets dive into the aspects you should take a closer look at the next time you decide to go spend your hard earned money on a piece of wooden furniture.
SOURCE OF THE WOOD :
All furniture is made of different types of wood that may be classified as hard, soft or engineered. The kind of wood that is used is one of the factors that determine how long your furniture will last, and how it will fare as time goes by and it ages.
In general, quality furniture is made out of hard wood which comes from deciduous trees such as oak, maple, mahogany, teak, walnut, cherry and birch. The wood is air dried to remove all the moisture content in it before any work is carried out.
Coniferous trees such as pine, fir, redwood and cedar produce what is known as softwood. It is possible to find good quality furniture made from these kinds also, but since they are more prone to scratches and dents in comparison to hardwood they require more care.
This day, solid wood furniture has become something of the past. You may still be able to find it, purchase it, but it is more common to find furniture made of plywood or engineered wood. Engineered wood is not necessarily second rate, it provides strength while helping to prevent splitting or warping. It can make for sturdy, long lasting and highly attractive furniture when in the hands of a skilled craftsman.
CONSTRUCTION :
The way a piece is constructed can contribute to it’s beauty, functionality and how long the piece is to last. The joinery and sturdiness of a piece will tell you loads about it’s quality.
Mortise and tenon and dovetails are the two oldest ways of piecing furniture together, and also make for the strongest joints while being neat. Good joints may have dowels or screws, but will never be stapled. Any glue used will never show.
So what is it you should be looking for precisely?
Look for corner blocks that add strength and stability to the piece. They may not necessarily be visible from the outside, but bolt to both sides of interior corners.
A good quality desk or chest of drawers may have dust panels or thin sheets of wood between drawers in the body of a chest or desk. This not only makes them stronger structurally, but keep dust away from clothing or papers.
Back panels that face the wall are generally attached with screws to help ensure lateral stability. Backs and unexposed parts should be sanded smooth and well fitted.
Drawers should fit well and have glides to allow you to effortlessly move a drawer in and out of its station. They will also have stops to prevent a drawer from being pulled out or falling. Glides in office furniture such as desks, file cabinets and computer armories are important to the functionality of the piece. Doors should close neatly and be flush with the cabinet front, and the hardware should be of good quality.
Always test a piece of furniture for sturdiness by trying to rock or jostle the piece. It should not squeak, twist or wobble. Check if it is in level with the floor and if any angles are off.
FINISH :
Quality wood furniture will always have a good finish.. Sanding, staining and finishing are part of the process and neglect at any stage will affect the overall quality of the piece. Sanding is the first step in the finishing process, and a good piece will be smooth so that when you run your hand over it there will be no rough patches. Sanding across the wood grain will also produce unattractive results such as dark lines or scratches across the surface. Improperly sanded wood will not take the stain evenly. Inspect the finish from various angles to check for blotchiness or scratches.
A good stain enhances the natural beauty of wood while adding both colour and character to it. It can make one wood type look like another one, or make different woods look similar. High quality staining will be even, without any dark spots. All sides and ends should have the same tone.
Finish range from high-gloss to matte. A high quality finish is satiny smooth and free of rough spots, dust specks, or bubbles. Look for dept and richness in the finish, which comes from several light coats of finish with sanding in between coats. A high quality piece is finished on the back and on the underside as well to reduce the chances of swelling or shrinking.
So the next time your out to buy a piece of furniture, you should be well aware of what to look for in a piece of wooden furniture.
Many owners of wooden furnishings these days have very little or no knowledge as per the correct means to caring for their pieces of furniture. The dilemma is all pervasive : should you dust, clean or wax….? While all the experts around will have varying opinions on how to tend to you wooden furniture, it basically depends on the finish of the piece of furniture. One way to clarify how to go about the care of your product is to ask for specific care and cleaning guidelines when you purchase a piece of furniture.
The general methods to cleaning and caring for your pieces of wooden furniture, both old and new and how as to effectively go about them are all discussed in detail below.
1. DUSTING :
Do not ever avoid dusting a piece of wooden furniture. Frequent dusting helps eliminate airborne deposits that may build up a filmy layer and scratch the surface of your furniture.
Use clean, dry, soft cloths or feather dusters to effectively remove dust; however, to avoid scattering the dust into the air, which results in it floating back down onto the surface of the furniture, dampen the cloth very slightly.
For dusting purposes you may use tools such a classic feather duster for delicate objects such as silk lampshades and pieces of art. The use of treated clothes is advised rather than silicon based sprays, which can be very damaging over time to finer pieces of furniture. Use cloth pieces containing lanolin as they attract dust and dust clings on well to them.
2. CLEANING :
Never use all-purpose sprays unless your furniture has a plastic or protective coating, such as the kind on children’s furniture and kitchen tables.
Always avoid cleaning wooden furniture pieces with water. Sticky spots may need to be treated with soap and water. In such cases dip the cloth in a mild soap or detergent dissolved in water. Make sure the cloth is nearly dry by wringing it dry before wiping the affected area. Once done, immediately wipe the area affected on the furniture dry with a soft, clean, dry cloth.
You may carry out cleaning of your wooden furniture with the use of oil polishes, cleaner and furniture oils, which protect the wood by making the surface slippery. Most sprays and polishes available commercially contain silicone oil, which offer some protection, as far as possible avoid using them, especially on fine pieces of woodwork. While many experts will advise you to use home made recipes, avoid making them yourselves unless you are well versed in the art.
3. DEEP CLEANING :
From time to time deep cleaning of your furniture will be required to remove layers of grime. In such an instance use an oil based soap and water. Rinse and dry well. Products with a milky appearance are formulated and available commercially. They dissolve both solvent-based and oil-based residues. Do not ever use mixtures that contain boiled linseed oil, turpentine or white vinegars. They darken the wood and attract dust and lint. Instead apply paste wax.
4. SCRATCHING THE SURFACE :
Scratches are something everyone experiences with wooden furniture. It annoys most wooden furniture owners. If it is the top of the furniture that is slightly scratched you may apply paste wax or use a felt-tip touch-up pen.
For the treatment of deeper scratches that gouge into the wood, use wood filler or a coloured filler wax stick available at hardware stores or home improvement stores. Sadly difficult to get in India one may try ordering them online. Match them as closely as possible to the colour of your furniture piece, applying several thin layers rather than one thick layer.
The last post discussed why one should give the ‘nod’ to wooden furniture: simply because it has way too many benefits to look past. This post will discuss how you can play up your wooden furniture and wall colours to add that extra element of style and class to your space. Irrespective of the type of wooden furniture you have in your space, be it oak or mahogany, it will only be unfair to not enhance its appearance and its quality finish. Here are a couple of ways that will tell you how you can work up an outstanding space for yourself by experimenting with different wall tones hues that will accentuate your wooden furniture.
1) Yellows and Oranges
If your wooden furniture has a war underlying quality, these two bright and happy colours can do wonders to your space by highlighting the slight orange and yellow tints of your wooden furniture, when used correctly and in the right amounts. This in turn will complement your space not only in terms of appearance but also in terms of the overall warmth and feel that it will eventually give. The lightness or darkness of a color is meant to be its value. So, if your wooden furniture has a cool undertone (shades of gray), by using a warm color (yellow or even a pale orange), you can sustain the vibrancy of the warm-and-cool mix.
2) Blues
When you think blue, you think of something that’s rather calm and cool. For instance: the ocean, the sky or a slow song. However, if you use this colour well in your space, it could complement your wooden furniture in a rather bold and intense manner by highlighting its orange. If you’re willing to experiment with an intense, bright blue, the contrast can be quite mesmerizing and edgy depending on the underlying quality of your wooden furniture. Note that if not used correctly, the entire feel of your space may come across as a tad bit too harsh.
3) Light and Dark (Contrast)
Wooden furnishings usually get tarnished over time and acquire hints of orange and yellow that adds to the depth and twists. If you are keen on experimenting and like the look of dark furniture against light walls (or light furniture against dark walls), you can opt for something like a mahogany or a cherry to strike a sharp contrast against any light color, be it a tinge of blue, green or maybe even a more vibrant colour from the colour-wheel. Exactly the same way, light wood would reflect pretty strongly against a bold, deep colour. If you want contrast with medium-tones, use wall colours that are subtle and light.
4) Neutrals
From white, gray and beige to black and brown, neutral colours are the safest to go with in terms of decorating your space and accentuating your wooden furniture. If you want to go for a colour that lies in the same color palette as your wooden furniture, keep in mind that color of your wall must necessarily be at least two shades lighter or darker than the furniture. This is important because you don’t want them to match. The darkest neutrals of these colours will complement the warm undertones of your wooden furniture as much as they will the cool undertones.
Wooden furniture is timeless. Although, the advent and acceleration of the industrial revolution brought about quite a large magnitude of change within the norms, the introduction of elements such as Aluminum, Steel and Glass however, didn’t much affect the usage and importance of wood as an extremely vital component of furniture. Listed below are five major advantages of choosing wooden furniture over any other for your home/office décor.
Wooden Furniture is Eco-Friendly
Not only does wooden furniture contribute toward making your space look alive and beautiful, it is also hugely eco-friendly which should be a big plus point considering that anymore damage to the environment at this point would only mean sabotage! There are absolutely no side-effects of wooden furniture so one can rest assured.
Low Maintenance
Aside from being eco-friendly, wooden furniture requires very less maintenance in terms of appearance and quality compared to steel, glass, plastic or aluminum, another advantage to be considered. Dusting your wooden furniture now and again, probably get a wax/polish every two years and you’re good to go. Since wooden furniture is always easy on your budget, half your problems are solved right there!
High-Flexibility
Wouldn’t it be great if you could keep experimenting with the look of your office, living room or bedroom every now and then without having to invest too much time, energy or well, ‘moola’ ? ‘Course it would be! So, one of the most exciting advantages to wooden furniture is that it can be modified with great ease. It’s in your bedroom today, tomorrow you could want to put it out on the deck, in the lobby or outside in the garden: wooden furniture would still
look as amazing as it did where you first put it. All this: without having to waste too much time or having to spend a buck.
Durability
Another advantage to having wooden furniture in your space is the fact that it is easy to keep. There is never an opportunity for termites or fungus to attack the wood and rot it because of its high durability. Wherever you keep it (indoors or outdoors) you’re never going to have to worry about your wooden furniture getting damaged. Also, note that wooden furniture is tolerant of all weather conditions: meaning it will be just fine irrespective of the season and if you have it set outside, you don’t have to bring it indoors or even keep it in storage.
Natural and Gorgeous
Aside from all the other advantages that are associated with wooden furniture, the one that is obvious is that wooden furniture can do to your space what nothing else can. It is natural and looks classy and sophisticated in whichever part of your space it is set. Wooden furniture draws attention to the key attributes of the décor of your space and will always reflect authenticity through its naturally antique form.
In ancient times when the sages were aware of the vastu principles, they used to use them in day-to-day life as well.
Vastu for them did not mean only the architecture part. It actually meant that they wanted balance of all the forces of nature in everything they did. Over a period of time, the vastu principles became a part of the culture and all actions done by even ordinary people were in line with vastu. Even the rulers had royal astrologers who would give the advice about these things.
One of the major areas of daily life is the giving and taking of gifts. Even in ancient times, this was prevalent. But it was limited in the sense that the availability of items in those times was limited and people used to lead a simple life.
But the gifts were of prescribed nature for specific occasions. Why? The reason is vastu. These prescribed things were gifted and were accepted, as they would not change the pattern of energy and natural forces for the person taking them. Over a period of time these things became common and are even visible in the form of customary gifts for occasions. For example, in most of the cultures it is customary to gift clothes on the birth of a child. In olden days, wooden furniture was also gifted a lot more than these days. Wood if considered as energy - is constantly in motion, driven to grow and expand like the green shoots bursting forth in spring. The predominant energy and significance with wood, is being appreciated for being firmly grounded with deep roots at home. From this place of stability and strength, potential is unlimited, and the capacity to succeed against all odds. Color symbolisms of associations with wood are green and blue.
Converting this wood energy into a commercial plus usable design form, and forming a basic structure, like furniture, artifact, sculptures etc.
Wooden furniture items were and are still gifted by a many people but how do they affect the native is not known to many people.
Wood is ruled by Jupiter and as such gifting furniture will bring auspicious forces in the house and will bring prosperity and luck to the inmates of the house. Furniture made of wood suggests the influence of Jupiter and the furniture made of iron suggest the influence of Saturn. A combination of wood and iron is a lot common while making furniture with Sheesham wood. The craft-work is called ‘Jaali’ work. The craftsmanship that went into making of wooden furniture was always hand-made, which gave that personal touch to the idea of gifting.
Though, it’s said that the choice of furniture as a gift to someone must be done with consideration. Even if the study of feng shui is put aside, one needs to be alert of the toxins that reside within old furniture, such as leaked mercury in old clocks or formaldehyde glues in furniture made of layers of wood. Many of these hidden toxins can cause health problems. It is of utter importance that wooden furniture is always re-energized or if spoken in modern terms is always maintained nicely.
At present exchange of gifts in the society, specifically in India, is becoming an essential part of our relationship with others. There are occasions like marriage, birth days, festivals, housewarming etc – and there is no limit to the occasion to gift someone with a wooden piece of furniture, artifact or just a small box to hold the tiniest of your memory.
- By Natural Living
Exchange of gifts has been a normal phenomenon among the human beings from time immemorial. In ancient times, our rishis and munis were fully aware of the significance of the day-to-day activities of men and women and the way it could affect the entire balance of one’s life. Thus, even the giving of gifts can be determined by taking into consideration the planetary influences.
In the present day context, a planetary consideration on gifts can take on a priority over making a choice., What makes the process very complicated is making a choice of a proper gift.
There is an infinite variety of things available in the market. One can choose a gift of any color or of any price. In each category of gifts there are innumerable aspects. The general gifts include: furniture, cosmetics, clothes, sweets, jewellery, stationery items, electronic items and even property. Sometimes even flowers suffice.
It has also been observed that certain gifts are being exchanged these days for no specific occasion. The person should be aware of the items which are being gifted. The person accepting them should also be careful these days as there are innumerable items which may not pass the test as gifts as per the canons of vastu. This has a strong correlation with astrology as well. Astrology also tells you the effects of various planets. The effects of natural forces of these planets affecting us decides our way of thinking and the way we work in society. This is unique to every individual. Hence, this aspect must be given due consideration while selecting and taking gifts. An item rejected by one is liked by the other is an indication that different forces operate for different people.
International wood industry is becoming complex and interesting at a growing pace. This industry has come to limelight only over the last decade, due to a number of revolutionary reasons like - globalization, production assortment and development in technology.
Major countries which increase their economic growth in wood industry are China, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Europe and America. Europe and America are the continents that compete with Asia - because of the abundance of wood in Asia and also because it is available at a cheaper rate.
These furniture industries have shown incredible economic growth rate recently, for a lot many reasons. Europe – has responded to this competition by enhancing productivity, targeting only the niche market, bringing in a lot of creativity in the design structure and in craftsmanship, in the quality of the product and with new ways of marketing strategies to create demand for them.
Though the level of skills involved is not as sophisticated as in craft works. The development of craft skills is essential for the survival of European furniture industry. Craft skills are necessary to produce high quality, intricate furniture items based on solid wood.
These craftsmanship skills, if considered from an Asian country’s point of you, especially India - the markets are filled with highly skilled labor market. Cheap labor producing high quality sheesham wood furniture, from normal furniture to intensively detailed wooden carving work with antique style in furniture. Cities like Jodhpur, Rajasthan - become the pioneer cities for producing furniture, which showcase beautiful artistic craftsmanship, and all of that is done handmade.
These skills in European countries are mainly computer operated numerically controlled machines, which might give that precise symmetrically patterns but lack the innovation in intricate carving designs and patterns, which is typically an art form developed in Asian countries, especially India, China, Indonesia and Thailand.
Demand for such wooden hand-crafted furniture has increased a lot over the last decade in European and other countries, especially because of the detail carving and craftsmanship that goes in the manufacture of those antique looking wooden furniture.
Craftsmanship is an art that is embedded in the bloods of Indian workers, while this process is a much programmed process outside Asian countries.
Other than the best features like durability, sustainability in all kinds of weather and the fact that it is so beautiful aesthetically speaking – the demand for sheesham furniture has increased in European market, and even in Indian market because of the abundance in sheesham wood in these countries. The labor cost that goes into the production of such hand-crafted furniture is cheap and affordable.
That becomes an important factor while importing sheesham furniture for these foreign countries than spending thousands and million in a training program to acquire those craftsmanship skills, which anyway is an effort for these countries to make the younger crowd understand the importance of wood, wooden furniture and craftsmanship.
Regal exports have been one of the major brands to export hardwood (sheesham) furniture to European countries. With stores all over India, including Jodhpur, Bangalore, Pune it has seen a tremendous growth in the economies of scale. Being located in a country (India) where Sheesham wood grows in abundance and the craft skills are drunk to perfection, it has become one of the biggest online stores to export Sheesham wood furniture to European countries. Regal Exports also – provides custom designed furniture too, with beautiful craft work which is completely hand done.
This personal touch to the furniture is becoming a trending demand in foreign countries.
Sheesham Hardwood
Sheesham, or scientifically known as Dalbergia Sissoo, the mostly famous for being used in making furniture. It is the most useful timber source in India.
Found throughout the sub-Himalayan region, from the Indus to Assam. Sheesham, Shishan, Shisham, Sissoo or Sisu, the tree is also found in many parts of India, especially in the Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Assam.
Large quantities of the Sheesham timber are available from Uttar Pradesh and the Punjab.
The Sheesham wood is described as golden brown to deep brown in colour, with darker streaks that give the wood an attractive appearance.
• The wood is hard with a uniform and medium coarse texture. It has a good natural resistance to decay and is considered to be a popular carving and engraving wood in India.
• Sheesham lends itself perfectly to the cabinet making industry as it seasons well and does not warp or split.
• It is extremely durable and is one of the timbers least susceptible to dry-wood termites. The wood offers resistance to sawing and cutting but is excellent for turnery, takes a good polish and finishes to a smooth surface.
• Each piece of Sheesham furniture will have a unique colouring, thanks to the well defined grain of the wood, which can be brought to a fine finish by hand waxing.
• Sheesham furniture often features hand forged wrought iron work, known as Jali ironwork.
• As well as high quality furniture, Sheesham is also used for marine and aircraft grade plywood, charcoal for heating and cooking, musical instruments, ornamental turnery, carving, engraving, tool handles and sporting goods.
• Its root wood is used for tobacco pipes. In village industry Dalbergia sissoo (sheesham) is popular for doors and windows. Sheesham makes the perfect space for Antique Furniture.
• The wood takes a good polish and finishes to a smooth lustre.
• The beautiful natural patterns make for an enchanting finish to enjoy in your home.
Why Sheesham Hardwood
The wood has a rich chestnut colour and is ideally suited for making furniture due to its hard nature and close grain that polishes well and finishes to a smooth surface. As a natural material each piece of Sheesham timber has individual markings and characteristics resulting in every item of furniture being totally unique.
It is strong, durable and beautiful.If you want a smooth finished wood with natural marking in a chestnut colour, sheesham wood should be your choice.You’ll be pleased with the life you’ll get with them, so you can enjoy them for decades.
Be it a festive season or someone in your life who means so much to you that the whole year goes by as a festival. A gift is always a way of expressing what you feel for that person/family.
From a simple hand written card to a very expensive car- whatever it maybe, when its give from your heart it’ll always means the world to that certain person
This entry is particularly based on gifts and why wooden furniture would make that perfect gift for anyone you would like to offer a gift.
Speaking qualitatively, Wood as a part of the nature, is the most pure form of article present on earth.
Relate it with the relationship you have with that one person/family- pure and wholesome.
Crafting the wood into a beautiful piece of furniture or artifact- the process is similar to what you practice while nourishing your relationship. A delicate crafting with firm attention is given in producing wooden furniture. Similarly focusing on the relationship you have there is that delicate yet firm attention given to it.
Hardwood furniture, like Rosewood ( Sheesham ), Teakwood have a life capacity that can lost for as long as 6 generations, which in itself talks for itself. Wooden furniture becomes one of the most royal and precious collection that can be passed on for generation.
Moreover, it can also become a great investment option- because if the quality of wood is proper solid wood- that is if its not veneered or bonded with softwood, then it can essentially last forever. Giving a piece of wooden furniture or even an artifact to person who is going to remain important forever in your life, will say the right thing. (Maybe someday- that will ‘piece of forever’ can save his/her life, and its almost as valuable as diamonds!)
Not a big fan of change, or if you know someone who is not a big fan of change- giving wooden furniture makes the best sense. Only efforts needed are choosing the right kind of wood and the work done on it. Speaking from the current trends, wooden furniture does not run out of fashion ever. (at least in the furniture department.)
And mentioned in the previous blog on how to remove the stains from the wooden furniture you can always make the whole procedure of cleaning up the furniture a ‘family’ event! There’s a lot of time given while refinishing wooden furniture- but you can do it at home, so that becomes the best part about having wooden furniture. Quality time can be spent.
Overall attaching emotional as well as practical sentiments to wooden furniture and then gift wrapping it, the process will make the furniture come to life.
Wooden Furniture is the most expensive kind of furniture to have for home. They are so delicately carved that even a tiny bit of scratch on them and your heart is almost in your throat. And we can only imagine if you have a pet in at your place (not cats we presume, the scratchers that they are!)
But, here we are with simple steps to remove these scratches if they happen. You may need a lot of patience and a couple of more things like Sand paper, wax, polyurethane or shellac, etc.
Getting step wise, the first method needs fine sandpaper and loads of patience. The sanding itself isn’t a big job; you simply rub with care over the length of the scratch, moving in line with the wood grain. The time-consuming part is that you need to re-varnish, paint, or wax the area to get back to a uniform color, which is where your patience will come in.
Typically during manufacture, varnish, polyurethane, or shellac is applied to wood to protect the surface. Applying wax or polish protects the manufacturer's finish and helps to reduce surface scratches. Wax provides a hard finish and long-lasting protection. Use paste wax or liquid wax made specifically for furniture. This debate overlaps the synthetic/natural decision. In general, liquid waxes are synthetic (created in the laboratory) while paste waxes can either be "natural" (as in originating in nature) or a combination of natural wax and synthetic additives such as polishing polymers.
Depending on use, paste wax finishes may last as long as two years. Liquid wax is easier to apply but leaves a thinner coating; it may need to be applied more frequently than paste wax.
This year’s trend has been following last year’s trend. Having your furniture do multiple things than what it is suppose to do like bed with storage drawers but in the most modern design or with a unique style is what one looks for while buying new furniture.
High performance fabric, durable and leathers made the sectionals appealing- along with the versatile pieces such as a chaise ottoman, which can flip to either end. Furniture, which reduce the need for chest and dresser or add much needed storage space for shoes, clothes, linens, bed covers and more, are the favorite trade over the old furniture.
Console loveseats were considered luxury products once but with change in design, they are perfect for small spaces and budgets; it’s as fully loaded as home theater sofas and sectionals, including cup holders, storage console, plush arms, head-rest and chaise-style ottomans, multiple comfort positions and power.
Having the TV hung on the wall is a little too dull for the wall too. Look for a TV unit sets with clever places to store components- taller, and multiple-purpose versions that double up as a drawer chest.
Servers and sideboards see new popularity. Look for servers with as many drawers as doors, integrated power bars or moisture-resistant tops. Bar tables of small size, with drawers and door cabinets can also replace the simple sideboards.
Writing desks blend with other furniture pieces. Warmer styles, which go with any season, especially wooden writing desks that blend with other furniture pieces will keep it gorgeous for the house. Pop-up coffee tables for eating or working in front of the TV, storage drawers or shelves and de per sizes scaled for sectionals.
Unique stand-alone accent furniture will add storage, flexibility, and plenty of character satiating your appetite for something fresh, new or daring when budgets don’t allow a full room makeover.
The need to have a change in your home can be satiated by introducing ne furniture to your home, either by buying or exchanging them. This Diwali, has a lot of offers to offer in the furniture stores. On this festive season, look for wooden furniture, for durability and long-lasting furniture and give your home a new look. Not limited by any design restriction gives your room a new look all together.
“ Good looks, doesn’t mean quality. “ This bit of the session will read about the construction of wooden furniture. And why it is important to have a slight technical knowledge that goes behind the making of any wooden furniture.
CONSTRUCTION:
Identify quality furniture by its ‘Joint Construction.’ Wooden furniture held together with staples or nails is substandard work. If its glue, you can see the glue.
The best joints are Dovetail (interlocking squarish ‘teeth) or mortise-and-tenon (narrowed end of one piece inserted into a hole in the other ), but Dowels ( wooden pegs fit into two opposing holes ) are also good.
In a chest or a cabinet, for example, look for thin sheet of woods between the drawers. ‘ Dust panels’ bring sturdiness, which improves the structural strength, and protect the drawer contents.
Drawers should run smoothly on glides and have stops to prevent accidentally pulling them all the way out.
WORKINGS AND COMPONENTS:
Doors on cabinets should open and close easily with hardware that is of high quality, that is installed securely.
If the interior of the piece has light, their switches should be easy to access.
If the piece is to be used as an entertainment center or as a computer station, holes are drilled in for electrical cords.
Again, be sure the drawers of a chest of a cabinet fit well and slide easily on glides. With stops and a little breathing space for them to react because of the weather.
Lift the piece at one corner — it should not twist or squeak. Check that all legs are touching the floor.
With all of this in mind and a checklist- the final decision will not be as difficult.
One must consider all these guidelines before the decision is made.
Wooden Furniture can be passed on for generations. Investing in the right one would make it an ‘antique’ piece of art over time.
Checklist for a perfectly durable and ‘keep-for-a-lifetime’ wooden furniture.
Joints
great: dovetail, mortise & tenon
good: reinforcing corner blocks
good: dowels, screws
bad: staples, nails, visible glue
Drawers
great: dust panels, floating bottoms
good: metal glide rails, stops
bad: wood-on-wood sliding
Frame
good: even, level with floor
bad: twists, creaks, wobbles
Springs
great: hand-tied coil springs
good: close together, even resistance
bad: any springs more than a few inches apart
‘ Wood is the feeling part of a landscape, nature.’ and when you see a well-finished piece of furniture with artistically done craft, the need to own it dwells in.
And an appreciation for quality construction, fine, rare wood or unique design may lead to spending more, specifically for these features. Which will in turn lead to alterations in the budget.
But a strict budget, with proper parameters will make sure you don’t spend all your available funds on just one piece.
Here are some points to be considered, with a checklist in your hand, before you acquire a piece of wooden furniture.
This bit of the blog will talk about the appearance of the furniture.
COMPOSTION:
Hardwood vs. Softwood. Hardwood just means ‘from a deciduous tree’ (trees that lose their leaves seasonally) and softwood means ‘from a coniferous tree’ (from trees that keep their leaves year round), and some hardwoods (like aspen, oak, maple) are softer than some softwood (like pine).
On the exposed surface, wood should be reasonably scratch-resistant. By attempting to draw a thin line with a fingernail (preferably yours) across the wood; if it makes a visible mark, know it wont stay for longer use.
Structurally, any kind of solid wood or sturdy plywood will do the trick. If plywood, look for at least nine layers. Check the wood for knots, even on unexposed pieces; all knots are susceptible to cracks. Some woods, like pine, are ‘knottier’ than others, and therefore less desirable.
Patterns : Wood-Solid, Bonded or Veneered
Wood-Solid meaning, all the exposed part of the piece would be of an expensive wood, for eg “ Solid-Walnut”, but the inner part may be of a less- costly wood like ‘ timber’. Because timber is a soft wood they are cut in smaller chunks.
The larger chunk (walnut) is then bonded with smaller chunks (timber) to give a decorative pattern. Thin layers of fine, decorative wood can also be bonded on the face of the furniture.
This quite old-practiced technique is called Veneered.
A combination of all three, or just any two can bring out different textures, tones and patterns in just one piece.
The next session will talk about how to identify Quality Wooden Furniture, and the technical aspect of wooden furniture.
Few necessary outlooks, and you will have an art piece that wont only make your home look more linked to nature, but will also be an asset to pass on for generation.
Checklist for a perfectly durable and ‘keep-for-a-lifetime’ wooden furniture.
Wood
good: solid wood or 9+ layer plywood
bad: thin plywood, particleboard, pressboard, fiberboard
bad: knots, cracks
bad: soft, easily scratched surfaces
Cushions
good: firm foam wrapped in padding
good: protective inner cover
good: reversible cushions
bad: bare foam
bad: loose fill without internal sectioning
Upholstery
good: aligned patterns
good: skirts with lining or weights
bad: skimpy padding along arms and back
Trends in interiors come and go but the one thing that remains timeless and elegant is wooden furniture. Wood brings atmosphere and a natural feel to an interior, balancing out any overzealous use of whites and greys.
Furniture made of reclaimed wood, sheesham hardwood (known as the Indian rosewood), to name a few, without paint finishes gives rooms warmth and texture. Furniture made from Sheesham hardwood has an original grain that gives it a very elegant and rich look. The use of simple wood can offer your home natural beauty that will last a lifetime.
A key trend in homes today is that of zesty colours and fluorescents. Pairing these with wooden furniture also benefit the home, not just the simple neutral colours. With fluro being the key trend of the moment, these shades are the perfect way to enliven wooden items in your home. Adding joyous touches of intense, neon-inspired hues will contrast beautifully with bare wooden surfaces, or for a more thrown-together look try layering almost translucent pastels for an effect that is subtle and sophisticated yet still very new.
Natural Living believes in subtle details that are executed with perfect craftsmanship. We love mixing modern with rustic, balancing clean lines with something rough, jagged or naturally distressed.
Wood is the direct fruit of the Earth, it is the mark of a marriage with its own territory, it is feeling part of a landscape, it is the reference to a cosmic dimension that art, at times, is able to decipher. Therefore, make wooden furniture a key element in your homes that balances out the spunk as well as brings about elegance in any home.