Furniture quality is determined mainly by three things – materials, joinery and finish.
Materials
We use only the finest Northern Quartersawn White Oak and Cherry. White oak is harder, denser, and has longer, more attractive rays than red oak. White oak stands up much better than red oak over time. In fact, white oak is what is commonly used for wine barrels, since it is waterproof. White oak was the preferred wood for Arts & Crafts furniture in the early 1900s.
Quartersawn describes the way the wood is cut, so that every board is cut radially. That is to say, if the end of a log looks like the letter o, and you put an asterisk(*) inside the "o", the spokes of the asterisk would represent the ends of the boards about to be cut. On most logs the asterisk would have a lot more spokes.
Northern Hardwoods are higher quality. The cold winters ensure that the trees grow less each year; therefore, the wood is denser. The cherry trees used for lumber are not like the trees used to produce cherries. Both oak and cherry trees grow very straight and tall on the East Coast. Most of the oak and cherry trees on the West Coast are unsuitable for lumber.
Joinery
When we build furniture in our woodshop we use the most appropriate joint for the application. None of the Arts & Crafts books ever mention that even the Arts and Crafts masters occasionally used dowels and screws. We use quite a bit of mortise and tenon joins, especially on our dining chairs (28 pegged M&T Joints), which undergo a lot of stress. There are many different types of joints, and it’s critical to know what to use where. After examining 25,000 pieces over a 30 year period, we’ve developed an experienced sense of which joints work best.
Finishing, Hardware, and Upholstery
Any well-built piece made of the finest wood should be enhanced by a fine protective finish, coordinated hardware, and durable upholstery.
We use a hand-rubbed finish which ensures that any minor imperfections are caught and corrected. This finish is then sealed with four coats of lacquer, which gives a durable heat, alcohol, and water resistant finish.
Hardware is a functional element of furniture. While the hardware should be attractive because it can be a point of visual interest, it should not distract attention away from the beauty of the wood and the piece.
All of our fabrics are a cotton and polyester blend, which ensures breathability and longevity. The fabrics are Scotch-Guarded. When you tire of the fabric, reupholstering is easily accomplished. The leathers are all from top-quality hides, and are scratch and stain resistant.
When buying furniture, it is important to select a fabric that complements the finish, and matching hardware; otherwise, the piece will not feel like an integrated work of art. We offer a variety of options for finishes, hardware, and fabric. This is your opportunity to personalize the piece, to make it express your sense of style and taste. We encourage you to take some time considering the possibilities for finish, fabric, and hardware when purchasing furniture. If you would like some recommendations, email us or call (877) 428-9625.
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