Oak Furniture Buying Guide
April 29, 2008
Oak is the National Tree of the United Kingdom. Well known for its strength, the oak tree has a long life span. Some of the oak trees in UK are believed to have survived for 2000 years. Widely used for furniture and highly admired by people, oak is strong and durable. Historical records indicate that massive four poster beds made of oak were very popular even during the period of Queen Elizabeth I. Many of the centuries old oak furniture are dark brown in colour even though it is a light coloured wood. The colour transformation is the result of constant polishing for maintenance.
Oak is generally used for the manufacturing of heavy pieces, as this hard wood is very sturdy even with minimum maintenance. Being a hard wood, it is difficult to carve out intricate designs on oak furniture. People prefer oak furniture without painting as its natural pale colour is very pleasing. Oak furniture is therefore given oil or lacquer finish to retain its classic look. Beds, chest of drawers, chairs of various types etc. made out of wood are sought after by connoisseurs of wooden furniture. As already mentioned, oak furniture require very little maintenance. Regular dusting and cleaning will help to retain its gloss and elegance. Accumulation of dust and dirt on the wood will cause irreparable damage to the furniture. Occasional polishing will enhance its durability. Care should be taken to protect the oak furniture from scratches as well as from heat and moisture.
While buying oak furniture, make sure that you are dealing with a reliable source. Remember that the UK Government has a clear-cut policy regarding the use of wood, especially when it is procured from forests. All reputed furniture dealers respect and follow this environment friendly policy and take care to procure oak trees from sustainable sources. As a locally grown tree, oak is comparatively cheaper than imported woods like mahogany.
Apart from the new furniture, there are refurbished oak furniture available in the market. As the most durable hard wood available in the country, oak can be retrieved from used furniture. Many of such pieces, refurbished from classic or antique oak furniture are often considered as precious possessions by those who know the real value of the woods.
Online furniture stores is a good option to choose oak furniture, whether it is new pieces or refurbished ones. It is better to peruse the catalogues available on the websites of the furniture dealers. There are auction sites also, where the customers can procure cheaper products. What ever be the mode of shopping, verify and confirm the return policy, warranty and transit damage insurance while buying. As far as possible choose well known brands, to ensure the quality of wood and workmanship. Beware of spurious products marketed by some unscrupulous people to dupe the customers. As far as the prices are concerned, the customers can make use of the price comparison sites while shopping online.
Baby High Chair Buying Guide
April 24, 2008
A baby high chair is very symbolic. It is an indicative of the importance given to the baby in the family, who is bestowed with love, care, attention and safety. The baby’s welfare is a parental obligation. It has to be cared round the clock, but more attention is given while feeding. Probably the high chair is designed to make the baby visible to the parents while engaged in other household activities. But the main purpose of the elevated seat is to facilitate easy feeding. If the baby is able to eat without the help of others, the high chair can be placed near the dining table which will ensure the parents that the baby is having food properly. The little one will also be able to enjoy the company of the elders.
The baby high chairs are available in many designs and colours. They are traditionally made of wood. But modern techniques have produced high chairs made of materials like steel, polymer, aluminium etc. Whatever the material, the piece should be safe. The chair should offer a comfortable seating, but the baby should not be able to slide down through the gap between the seat and the feeding tray. A safety belt should be provided to arrest the tendency to slide down. The baby should be able to recline in the seat during bottle feeding. A padded head rest is to be provided. The high chairs with wraparound tray will facilitate the child to sit comfortably while eating. The feeding tray should be washable. The whole unit may require daily washing to maintain it clean and hygienic. If the chair is provided with upholstery, the covers should be removable and washable.
Accommodating an active and vibrant baby and to make it remain in it for quite sometime is the purpose of high chair. The facility should have a wide base to maintain the equilibrium of the tall structure. It should be strong and sturdy in construction. The finish should be smooth without any sharp corners or protruding parts. Non-toxic paint or polish should be used. Remember, while eating, the baby may spill the food and usually it will try to collect the spilled food from the chair and put the same again into the mouth. Non-toxic paint is very relevant in this context.
The mechanism to adjust the seat height should be perfectly secured. Latches provided are to be safe and should not give way when the baby vigourously struggle in an attempt to come out of the unit. Seat at times fall to a lower position accidentally. Roller wheels are optional to facilitate easy movements without causing discomfort to the baby. Some models with footrest are also available.
A baby high chair is usable only for period during the early stages of the baby’s growth. As a short term facility, it is not necessary to spend too much money on it. For the same reason, the parents can go for a used one. Similarly the parents can give it to relatives or friends after their use.
Choosing a Baby Crib
April 21, 2008
A baby requires a comfortable crib, when it is to be shifted from the cozy bassinet. The parents generally take care to provide the baby with a suitable crib, within the budget they can afford. The budget is very important for the reason that cribs are available in various price ranges. As in the case of other furniture, cribs are made and marketed in different sizes and styles. Apart from the cost, a few other factors are to be taken into account. A major portion of an infant’s life will be spent in a crib and therefore it should be a comfortable and safe one. The climate is another factor to be considered. The materials used for the crib as well as the mattress should be climate appropriate. It should be designed to meet the requirements of weather conditions. Ample provisions should be there for ventilation, while making it more decorative. For example a canopy may obstruct the circulation of air within the crib, even though it may look attractive. In the winter, a canopy however will offer protection from the biting cold.
Safety of the crib is a condition that cannot be compromised. Slats are to be provided on the crib railings to prevent the baby from falling down. There are possibilities of the baby inserting its head or limbs through the gaps on the sides. There should not be any sharp edges or bends in the metals used. Screws, bolts and nuts are to be safely secured. The unit should not be shaky also. A smooth finish is what a baby crib is expected to have, whatever be the quality, design or cost of the piece.
Cribs are of many types. Standard one in a simple design will be affordable. There are round, sleigh, rocking and convertible types of cribs. Cribs with canopy are sleek and beautiful, but many parents do not prefer it for certain reasons. There are apprehensions about the canopy falling accidentally on the baby causing suffocation is one reason for their reluctance to choose the type. But manufacturers have adopted fool proof methods to avoid such eventuality.
Cribs are made of wood and iron. Woods like maple, ash, beech or oak are used to make cribs. Paints or coatings are to be free from lead or other hazardous substances. Mattresses should be smooth and suitably fitted into the crib without protruding out. Any gap between the mattress and the crib frame are to be packed properly to make the surface even.
While buying the crib, remember that the furniture has to last for many years. In this context, it is suggested that parents can opt for a convertible type. When the baby outgrows the crib, it can be converted to a bed for the toddler.
Pine Furniture - Care and Maintenance
April 18, 2008
Pine is a beautiful soft wood widely used for making furniture. Its soft texture and flexibility makes it a very convenient wood for the manufacture of antique style furniture with intricate designs. The light colour pine wood will blends smoothly with other furniture as well as the ambience of the room. For this reason it is an inevitable material in the wood industry. Pine is used in combination with other variety of woods, to add elegance to the pieces. Unlike oak, walnut and mahogany, this wood is comparatively cheaper and affordable to all strata of the society. Probably this must be the reason for pine becoming the largest selling wood in the market. There are many varieties of pine which are used in the industry. The only one grown in UK is Scots pine.
Pine furniture require care and maintenance to retain its lustre and beauty. The charm of pine wood lies in its natural grains and knots. Dents or protrusions will leave natural traces on the surfaces, after processing and machining. All such inherent patterns of the natural wood will be retained for years, if it is maintained in good conditions. Neglect will cause irretrievable damage to its designs and colour.
As a soft wood, pine can be crafted to any shape or design. Rough handling or banging will cause cracks or deep scars on it, spoiling the very smooth and refined look of the furniture. Extreme weather conditions are not conducive for its durability. Exposure to direct sunlight, high temperature and humidity will cause severe damages to the pine wood furniture. If left uncared for long periods, the wood will loose its sheen, since the natural oils present in it will dry up to cause blotches. Never allow tea, coffee or alcohol to spill on the furniture. Such spills should be wiped of immediately. Ammonia or detergent based cleaning liquids should not be used for cleaning the furniture.
Regular dusting is necessary to avoid accumulation of dust which will mix with the moisture and form thick crust on the wood, and make the furniture look shabby. Application of protective wood oil will help to prevent the pine wood from drying up. The furniture can be coated with clear varnish, stained or painted occasionally.
Follow the instructions by the manufacturers in case of block wax or special polishes are to be used. Water resistant stains or polyurethane can be applied yearly to retain the colour, texture and strength as well as to prevent natural damages.
Pine is suitable for indoor furnishing for reasons mentioned earlier. Care should be taken while moving the pieces from one place to another within the house. Instead of dragging them it is better to lift them gently. Prolonged use will develop jerks in the furniture as nuts, bolts and pegs fastening the joints may become loose. It is therefore necessary to tighten, if not replace them in the course of time.
Cane Furniture Buying Guide
April 14, 2008
Canes used for furniture are the stems of certain plants which are stripped and dried to convert it to the fibre form. The stem of rattan or other types of palms are thus processed and the fibre is used to weave or spin in various forms. Bamboo and wicker are also used to make cane furniture. Almost all varieties of canes are imported from tropical countries like south Asia and Africa. A remarkable property of cane is its tolerance to humidity. Apart from furniture, canes are used to make baskets, lamp shades and walking sticks. The material is very sturdy and durable. It is the flexibility of the material that makes cane a very suitable raw material for furniture making.
It is in the recent past, cane furniture attained importance as an eco-friendly alternative to wood. The rattan, cane and wicker furniture are very popular among people. Today almost every item of furniture required for home or office is available in cane. Sofa sets, side tables, chairs, dining sets and storage shelves are offered in many designs and colours to cater the diverse needs of the customers. Cane furniture are ideal for outdoor use as well as for conservatories. Innumerable new designs have been introduced in the market. The customers can choose suitable colours and designs. Tables with glass tops are not only attractive but also easy to clean. High back chairs with padded cushions are comfortable. Many of the pieces are handcrafted to satisfy choosy customers. Throne like special chairs with high back and ornamental hand rests are upholstered with pale gold fabrics to give them a majestic look.
Cane furniture are comparatively cheaper than their wooden counterparts. But careful and systematic maintenance are essential. Regular wiping should be done to remove dust and dirt. They must be protected from humidity and direct sunlight. Periodical polishing is essential for durability. It will help to keep away insects that may infest the furniture. The light weight cane furniture are easier to shift or rearrange. Space available in the house is very important. The very serene look of the cane furniture will be lost in a room which is crowded with many pieces. The ideas and imagination of the home maker play a vital role in bringing out a well furnished place. The furniture should blend smoothly with the ambience of the room. The room will not look attractive just because of the expensive furniture. Discretion of the home maker in this context is very important.
The customers can shop online. The dealers update their stocks with innovative new products periodically. Illustrated catalogues will provide the customers with relevant information about the products. The customers should assess the needs before placing orders. The online dealers who are specialized in cane and fibre furniture will be able to advice the customers in their endeavour to procure suitable pieces within their budget. They offer free shipping and warranty. Of course, the customers will be benefited by the cost advantage of the online system. They can make use of the price comparison sites to make a good deal.
