Construction

Why Is Solid Wood Better?

Although seldom seen, the interior details of construction on a piece of furniture are more important to the longevity of a piece than the decorative exterior. Many companies use particle board, engineered wood, or other “non-solids” on structural components that are not exposed to the eye, lowering costs, but sacrificing quality at the cost of a shorter lifespan for your furniture.

Our furniture is 100% solid wood and old world craftsmanship throughout. Built to be enjoyed over generations, and increasing your sense of comfort and satisfaction at home.

The Financial Benefit of Quality Furniture

Everyone wants value for their money. To lower costs, many popular furniture companies have begun to produce furniture made from particle board wrapped with a shelf paper patterned to look like wood. This furniture is inexpensive for a reason, it is not engineered to handle the stress of everyday usage in the average home.

Cheap furniture is no bargain because it loses its value so quickly. The screws and staples they use to hold components together will loosen with use. Glued particle and flake board absorb moisture, and can sag and warp. Nicks to the thin paper veneer are inevitable, and cannot be repaired. In less than a year this bargain furniture will begin to show its true value as it degrades in appearance, and will eventually have to be replaced. Buying quality saves money over time and increases the pride you take in your home.

Don’t make the mistake of buying poorly made furniture. Look for quality construction when you shop. We take care to use the finest materials and scrupulous old world construction methods to ensure your furniture will enrich the beauty of your home throughout your lifetime.

What to Look For When Shopping For Furniture

We use old world craftsmanship when crafting our fine furniture. These techniques evolved over millennia and have remained largely unchanged for several centuries because they work. A trip to any high-end antique store will show you that solid wood furniture made this way will maintain its strength and beauty beyond your lifetime.

Construction

Dovetail joints

Strength can be beautiful. The darker end grain of classic English dovetail construction provides a subtle decorative detail to dovetail joinery, announcing its strength with a beautiful geometric pattern. Open a drawer and look along the sides for the easily recognizable checkerboard or “zipper” pattern where the boards are wedged tightly together. English dovetailed drawers provide unsurpassed stability and strength, and allow to increase the drawer’s storage capacity.

Tenon and mortise

Mortise-and-tenon joints - one of the strongest and most frequently used joints in fine woodworking. The mortise is a rectangular hole cut into a leg or rail. The tenon is the end of the other rail, precisely cut to fit in the mortise. The joint is extremely strong, owing to the large mating area between the tenon and mortise.

Frame and Panel Construction

While incredibly strong and durable, wood naturally expands and contracts throughout the year due to variations in temperature and humidity. Frame and panel construction adds strength and flexibility and allows for wood “movement” without allowing your furniture to warp or crack. This technique joins four frame pieces at right angles. The frame is build around a floating panel that is allowed to expand and contract without distorting the frame.