FAQS

What is Veneer?

Veneer is a thin layer of wood applied in sheets over underlying layers of plywood. Veneers originated as an artistic discipline. Veneer was often seen cut as thin as a dime and in intricate patterns. With veneers, uniform graining can be achieved, unlike the more random graining of solid wood.

How do Hardwoods and Softwoods differ?

They look different wood species, so they have different characteristics. Some are smooth. Others have bold grain. Some varieties have knots or bird eyes. Each texture requires a finisher to work somewhat differently, because the density of the various woods change the depths and tones of the color.

What is meant by Solid Wood?

Solid wood means that all exposed parts of the furniture are made of solid board, either softwood or hardwood lumber. No veneers are used.

Why is plywood used?

When strength and stability are paramount, plywood is a stronger, more durable option. Plywood is made of thin layers of solid wood glued over each other with grains running at 90-degree angles to produce a strong core. It’s used to provide maximum stability on the sides of desks, entertainment centers and other units where solid woods would crack and warp, due to temperature changes, and humidity levels. A veneer can be glued on top and sides for an even and attractive appearance.

What elements affect furniture prices?

A good analogy is Gold jewelry; a 24 carat gold piece is more expensive than an 18 carat piece because of the amount of gold in it. The higher the grade of wood, the more superior the construction features and the finish you choose, the more the item will be worth. This holds true in terms of how well the piece will travel through time.

As with all other commodities, the price of a piece of furniture increases when its quality improves. The benefits of buying furnishings of lasting quality: less sanding and prepping to make it beautiful.

Is furniture finishing hard to do?

With today’s finishing products, the possibilities are almost endless, if you’re willing to take the time to do it yourself and do it correctly. Some people enjoy the challenge, and it’s another avenue of creative expression.
If you have more time on your hands than money, this may be an ideal option for you. We can give you some written instructions and there is certainly no shortage of DIY help to be found on YouTube and Pinterest.

Does the furniture require any assembly?

Most items are fully assembled. There are some exceptions:
Table legs and pedestals require attachment using the bolts provided; stools need to have the top swivel seat attached using the bolts provided; and desks need to have the components attached to each other using the screws provided.

Since each bed frame has slightly different holes to attach the headboard, you’ll need to drill the holes and attach the headboard using the bolts provided. In all cases assembly is straightforward and simple. If you don’t have access to tools, and/or have concerns about assembling items, just let us know. Depending on
the pieces you’ve purchased, we may include some help assembling them.

If you’re using our Personal Shopping services, make sure you mention that assembly requirements pose a challenge for you, so we can make sure to get you the installation help you need.

Why Buy Real Wood Furniture?

Quality

Create beautiful home furnishings! Most unfinished furniture is fine furniture constructed of real wood. Real wood has many advantages over particle board and chip board, which are predominant in the finished furniture industry.

Wood expands and contracts depending on the humidity in the air. When constructed well, the natural expansion or contraction will cause no change in the item’s structural integrity. Finished furniture is typically a mix of real wood and particle board. As particle board does not expand and contract as the real wood does, the joints will eventually break apart from each other

Product Knowledge

When a piece is raw or unfinished, you’re able to see exactly what you’re getting. Does the wood have knots, discoloration, obvious weak points or other defects? With finished furniture, you wouldn’t know until your new item began to fall apart. Real wood manufacturers must use a higher grade lumber in furniture production, because they won’t be able to disguise such defects under the finish.

Value

When you buy real wood furniture, if properly built, that piece should last for decades with normal wear and tear. And we all know how long most of Ikea’s furniture lasts.

Matching Option

We can help you match an already existing finish or help you create a color that only exists in your head. By reviewing the colors in the room where you’re planning to put your furniture, we help take away the guesswork. Having us visit your home prior to color matching rules out any issues that arise having to do with room lighting and wall colors, which also vary somewhat during different times of day.

Sustainability

We offer sustainable wood furniture finished with eco-friendly colors and top coats. The high quality of the all wood construction guarantees our furniture will last for decades and will not end up in landfills. We only use wood grown for the furniture industry, non-formaldehyde plywood — never particle boards — and water-based finish technologies. As the industry evolves and grows ever more environmentally conscious, we’ll continue to incorporate new practices to save our resources and care for our planet.