Solid oak furniture

Oak is the species that many woodworkers consider very close to perfection. It is strong, it has personality, it is massive and imposing. The grain pattern is a distinguishing feature and is hard to mistake. About the structure of oak, how it is processed and how much you can get out of it find here. Because in that article I aimed to present it as best I could, I have listed all sorts of uses, without highlighting any of them in particular. At one point, impressed by its contribution to the taste of wine, I wrote an article on how oak barrels are made and how they influence the wine. But now I want to talk about solid oak furniture.

Oak has been part of the furniture world since the 17th century. Until then it was mostly used in construction and craft. With the advent of the Biedermeier, considered to be specific to the middle class, mahogany expensive species brought from the colonies began to be replaced by indigenous species, such as cherry, frasin and the oak. Gradually, because of its strength and beauty, it was increasingly used.

Solid oak furniture is now part of the premium category and priced accordingly. Solid oak is used as lumber,

or solid carpet (panels made of glued solid pieces of wood).

Although it may look heavy, solid oak is suitable for both classic and modern, contemporary design. Its natural colour has warmth, and classic natural furniture conveys a sense of tranquillity and stability.

A modern design success story is that of tables with tops made of a slice of oak wood, as natural-looking as possible, set on legs or supports of plastic, glass or metal. It's a combination of old and new, of rustic and modernwhich was very well received. The special wood treatment techniques, colours and natural finish transform a practical object - the table - into something special, which becomes the focal point of the place.

An advantage of using oak is that its natural structure, with large pores and specific design, allows the application of special finishes that add value to the furniture. The combination of the pore-marked finish with skates and the surface treatments applied to the surface - gouges, dents, scratches, etc - results in surfaces with a lot of personality. An oak finished in this way will certainly not go unnoticed.

Solid oak is perhaps the easiest to make antique, artificially aged furniture. Ageing techniques They're easy to apply, they even fit very well, and if you add the right hardware it will be hard to believe the furniture was made only a few days ago.

To finish such furniture, one can also successfully use wax or oil. Oak is hard enough to withstand even without the application of hard materials. Oiled surfaces look good and practically brighten when oil is applied. If finishing is done with wax, it is good that it is of good quality, not over-applied and well polished. Otherwise you risk getting it on your hands.

One of the treatments that suits solid oak very well is sandblasting. Sand blasting removes early wood, resulting in surfaces that closely mimic wood that has been weathered over time. A similar effect can be achieved by brushing.

Solid oak looks good anywhere in the home. It can be furniture for the living room or bedroom,

for kitchen or even a special piece in bay.

Covered with outdoor resistant materials, can be used very well as garden furniture.

Oak is a tough, hardy species, being one of the species that recovers from old buildings. Reusing it for rustic-looking furniture has become a constant practice lately.

Whether rustic or contemporary, old or new, new or reclaimed wood, solid oak furniture has its own special beauty. Just because it's solid wood doesn't mean the design has to be solid. The design can be adapted to a block apartment as well as a spacious, high-ceilinged house. If you're thinking of buying new furniture, consider this option too. You won't regret it.