Archive for the ‘oak furniture’ Category
Whilst most of the Nineties has thankfully remained ‘in the Nineties’; there’s something worrying about one of that era’s unwelcomed legacies which still adorn many households across the UK: Faux-wood, flat pack furniture. Why should we substitute the tasteful for the less hassle, unflattering quality of a DIY flat pack which will inevitably disintegrate?
There are many answers to the above issue; to which, none are excusable. You can’t beat a traditional piece of good quality, solid oak furniture. Some may argue that the faux option is more affordable and less hassle, but truth be told – this is not the case. Let us leave the horrible kitschy furniture behind and look at ten reasons why you should fork out a few extra quid, for a good solid piece of oak:
Robust – A good sturdy oak sideboard’s going to last. Especially in a very active household where kids run amok. Even with a little wear and tear, oak only gains character and is an asset to your home.
Practical – Again, if you’re raising a young family it only makes sense to furnish your house with something that can withstand a bash or two.
Classy – Oak is a very aesthetically pleasing wood. A really simple set of light oak furniture can really lift the drabness of a living room. Why not invest in some reclaimed oak railway sleepers and make a nice feature mantlepiece for your living room?
Childproof – Many young families see great benefit in kitting out their children’s bedrooms with a set of solid oak beds and wardrobes. You may pay a little more at the start; but you inevitably pay for the quality and safety of this durable hardwood- that can be easily sanded, treated, coated and re-painted, time and time again.
Great Value – Oak being one of the hardwoods means that you get more value for money – you may think that you’re saving money by taking the less expensive, flat pack route, but in the long run, taking into consideration the durability and easy maintenance of a good solid oak – it really is a good sturdy investment.
Versatility – Oak’s such a versatile wood. Whether treated or untreated; there’s no doubt that it’ll match and compliment your home décor.
Affordable, yet tasteful. – Contrary to what you might think, you can – for example, pick up oak dining tables for maybe 10% more than a cheaper, less imperishable table in most retail stores and even online.
Easy Assembly– Most good quality oak comes pre-assembled meaning you don’t have to spend hours trying to translate and configure the instructions of the flat pack.
Inheritance – Oak will last a lifetime – why not two? Pass your beautiful furniture down the generations.
Easily Picked Up – Whether buying an antique, a second hand piece or a brand new oak desk and home office set; look no further than your local high street or online to invest in a great piece of quality furniture.
Robin Hunt is an Oak Furniture specialist and can contact via his website http://www.oakfurnituresolutions.co.uk
Oak, the widely known deciduous tree has some of the strongest and most durable pieces of wood available. Famous for the waved pattern of its grain and the natural reddish color, it is especially favored for use in flooring and strong furniture, lasting for decades. Woodwork artists have therefore come up with ways to keep the amazingly beautiful pieces looking bright and new as always and therefore the concept of reclaimed oak. Though the word “reclaimed oak” might seem as a cliché word for the environmentally correct and a buzzword for recycle, reuse, and so on, it is important to note that the concept of reclaimed oak is not a shabby chic or fashionable idea, but rather one that has come down through generations. With the challenges the planet and environment are facing today however, it also worth emphasizing the positive attributes of considering the idea. Responsible buying, reduction of waste, preserving nature and keeping the planet green are all concepts worth considering when purchasing any woodwork or oak furniture, being one of the few species of trees to withstand the test of time, should be preserved. This preservation is what has made the reclaimed oak pieces of furniture such jewels to marvel. These strong, traditional and antique products of the hardwood, with some fine touches over time can leave them spackling new. Whether it is for resale, or continued use at home, your reclaimed oak furniture will always attract attention to lookers with its strong ambience and natural reddish color that needs little furnishing. The one thing that stands out about oak, and reclaimed oak furniture is how crisp and smooth it will always look. The bright color of it’s furnish reflects light well, making cleaning it a joy. Oak is easily recognizable and highly respected as wood and with the modern synthetic furniture being reported to contain toxic substances, it is always a safe bet to stick with the old timer. With more stringent controls being taken on restoring the planet’s past glory where oak was in plenty and oak furniture easily available, it is important to take note of how best to make a furniture purchase, whether a bedroom furniture or living room furniture. Considering reclaimed oak is therefore one of the preferred methods where new furniture may not be really necessary. Earth friendly materials for use as restorers are also available in the market and it is therefore easy to work on your old piece of oak. If you’re buying a reclaimed oak piece of old furniture, it is also important to check where the oak has come from, and if not from a legal and sustainable source, keep away from it. In the US, certification for the source of oak is done by the Forest Stewardship Council, FSC, and since most of these precious woodworks such as oak furniture are second hand, be sure to always check their sources. Most importantly however, having oak furniture, whether reclaimed oak, or new, as a living room furniture or bedroom furniture is always a treasure and should be considered as a long term investment rather than an expense.
Oak is one common household name across the world. The term is used to refer to trees from the Quercus genus. It is a kind of hardwood that is preferred by a lot of people, thanks to its durability, hardness and strength. When you study oak furniture history, you will find that it was preferred, and it is still preferred to date because oak is highly resistant to fungi and parasites. The bark of Oak has an unpleasant taste that is disagreeable to human beings and a lot of insects and animals. Oak furniture history dates back to the mediaeval times. This was after the emergence of a status middle class during the 16th and 17th centuries in England as wealth started swelling up. At that time, having a home was a symbol of status hence merchants started spending a lot of time on creating long lasting furnishings. Having oak furniture in your home was even more prestigious, because at that time the timber was prized pretty high, thanks to its durability and strength. On the other hand, pine furniture boasts of a proud history because, after the emergence of the ruling social class who preferred hard woods to make their furniture such as the oak furniture, pine furniture was made for the minority, it was made for masses of people who couldn’t afford oak furniture. This was during the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries. Pine furniture basically exudes softness and warmth although not as durable as oak furniture. The rise of the numbers of craftsmen was evidence enough that there was an enormous demand for oak furniture where people wanted to furnish every room in their houses with oak from an intricate tester bed to a simple kitchen chair or fine dining table. Oak was in abundance across England hence making it a perfect resource for craftsmen to experiment on new designs of furniture. Since the medieval times, oak furniture has become the most preferred although it has also become more expensive partly because of the considerable amount of time it takes for the trees to mature enough and become ready for use. Another contributing factor is the substantial amount of time, and the significant degree of craftsmanship employed in the production of the impeccable designs that bring color and live to homes. Consequently, this has made pine furniture financially more accessible to the people on a budget. Whereas today oak furniture is mad of nuts, bolts and screws, traditionally, it was made using traditional, age old methods which incorporated woodworking joints to help provide the flexibility and strength. Joints such as the famous dovetail joint, traces its roots back to the medieval era when oak furniture came into the limelight. The oak furniture history set the stepping stone for the designs that we see today of oak furniture. The designs that we see today are a recreation where each piece is handcrafted in oak to produce meticulous designs that will be marveled at in the coming years.