|
is one of the traditional materials used for furniture continues to be a great favorite with designers, even in the  modern style. There is now focus on the naturalness, the pleasing colour and the texture of the wood. Designers show up the beautiful natural grain in wood and do not cover up the natural colour with thick varnishes or paints. Some woods can be made much stronger by impregnating them with resins.
Wooden surfaces are finished in a number of ways. This is necessary in order to seal off the pores and reduce changes like warping which are the effect of climatic changes. Wood also needs to be treated to protect it from white ants (termites), dirt and stains. Untreated surfaces are most likely to develop permanent marks on account of dirt, oil and other materials spilt on it.
Wooden surfaces are normally sand-papered to smoothen them. Following this, knots in the wood may be filled with a putty-like mixture and then the wood is treated to bring out its colour. Sometimes very dark wood may bleached; at other times coloured materials mixed in spirit are used to coat the surface. Finally this is covered with layer after layer of a fine sprit polish which gives the wood a high gloss. These polishes contain shellac, a slightly sticky substance, which adds to the shine.
Polished furniture is often coated further with a lacquer spray which sets on the surface and protects it from damage by hot or wet containers. Hence such a finish is useful in a home. Lacquer finishes are also resistant to some chemicals. A cellulose spray can be used to give a matt finish (one that is not shiny). Sometimes, wood that is treated with a cellulose spray may change colour when exposed to sunlight.
Wax polishes (like Mansion) are also popular. They serve to protect the wood extremely well. Modern wax polishes contain silicones which increase their protective effect. Another finish now available is a polyurethane finish. This is a kind of plastic finish which gives good resistances to water and heat.
Wooden surfaces are also painted and enameled. These treatments are commonly carried out on doors and window frames, but can look really effective on furniture also. The finished product may look highly glossy or may be given a matt surface. An important advantage of painted surfaces is that they can be kept clean with water and soap unlike polished surfaces which need hard rubbing with wax polish or the skilled attention of a polisher.
Popular Furniture wood: Use of various wood goes through fashion cycle. At present time we use quite a variety of woods, and design and designers are very particular in choosing colours textures and grains that becomes and integral parts of the design in addition to the new techniques for handling wood as the decorating medium are making it even more versatile. It is possible from the living trees to obtain interesting colour effect in grain pattern. New process with the trade name of fine lines product are most unusual textural effects. Sheets of veneer are laminated into a solid block of wood then wood is sliced at the right angle to layers. In this manner it is possible to veneers with vertically striped pattern. Countless variation may be produced by alteration of the order and the species of veneers when laying up the block.
Types of wood:
Mahogany: An excellent hard wood that is favored for fine furniture is mahogany the best varie ties grow in topical regions of central America, West Indies, South America, Africa etc. it is used because of its strength, variety of beautiful grain and workability. It has a uniform texture that is adaptable to many interesting finishes. Natural mahogany varies in colour from light golden brown to a deeper tone with red cast.
Walnut: Ever since the Renaissance, walnut has been an important wood for both furniture and interior architectural designs. The various species of walnut differ in colour, so a range of tones is available. It is very rare, therefore, expensive.
Oak: Many varieties of oak are available in North America, Asia, Europe and Africa. Natural colour ran ges from light yellow to amber-brown. It is characterized by a coarse, open grain, which is particularly suited to various colour effects and special finishes. The hard durable quality of Oak plus is resistant to the vagaries of climate have resulted in its wide use for paneling and flooring as well as for furniture.
Maple: They are grown in various part of the world. The close- grained wood is hard, strong and durable. It resist splitting and is easy to shape. The fine texture takes a beautiful, smooth finish and colour ranges from almost white to a reddish brown.
Fruit Wood: Cherry apple, black cherry are the wood which can be used for manufacture of furniture. They have  smooth wood with fine grained and light in colour.
Teak: Native of India, Burma and surrounding areas. It is dense, durable and moderately hard and easily worked. The natural colour ranges from light to a dark brown with fine black streaks. The wood darkens with age but it is often finished in a deep brown tone that is almost black. Some teak has a richly figured grain pattern, but most of it is plane.
Rosewood: Rosewood, and interesting wood ranges colour from light to dark reddish brown. Vari ous species come from India and Brazil. It is often figured with dark streaks that provide an interesting pattern. Rosewood polishes well and is popular for fine furniture and paneling.
Gum: Gum wood has to be seasoned in special conditions. If not seasoned under careful control conditions has  tendency to split and warp. However if properly handle it, quite satisfactory and it has several advantages. It is readily available, less expensive easy to work and close smooth grain takes finishes extremely well.
Other wood:
Acacia: Hardwood from Australia and Africa. Used in ancient times for ecclesiastical purposes; also used in inlay work.
Amaranth: A fine-grained hardwood that develops a red or purple color with age and exposure to air. Used for decorative work and inlay. Imported from central and south America.
Bamboo: Tree like grass with woody stem that is smooth and lustrous. Yellowish tan in colour. Chara cterized by knobby joints. Used for furniture and may be used for decorative purposes.
Cedar: Various types that range in colour from pale to dark reddish-brown. Pleasant natural odor repels moth larvae. Used for lining closets, storage chests; also for shingles and sidings.
Chestnut: Gray-brown wood with coarse, open grain similar to oak. Not particularly durable although it resists warping. Used for core stock and for some less expensive furniture.
Ebony: A hard, heavy wood from Africa and tropical Asia. Dark brown or almost black in colour; fine g rain and smooth texture takes a high polish.
Poplar: Several types that grow in eastern and southern United States range in colour from white through yellow to light brown. Yellow poplar also known as whitewood. Easy to work, lightweight takes especially well to paints and finishes.
Redwood: Durable, strong, and lightweight. Attractive red colour. Resists weather and insects. Used extensively in western part of United States for outdoor furniture and some indoor work. 
Sandalwood: Close grain; yellow-brown, fragrant wood. Used in oriental and wood work.
Satinwood: Light-coloured with lovely texture and grain pattern. Used in inlay work and border designs. Comes from India and West Indies.
Other Materials: Although wood is still by far the favored material for furniture, other materials are becoming increasingly popular, especially in modern designs. Metals, plastics, and glass are favorites; caning is also used for panels and chair seats. Frequently these materials are combined with wood.
|
Participants