Posts Tagged ‘Design Furniture’
Buying Retro Furniture
Geoff Johnson asked:
When first deciding on buying retro furniture, it is useful to know a few of the better manufacturers and designers from the period. This has been made slightly harder by the fact that an item of furniture called “retro” can come from the 1950’s through to current production items.
Once you have decided on a particular theme i.e. chromed items with glass (that can be either clear or tinted), sticking to that style lends itself to modern house or flat design. Options of various wood veneers were available as an alternative to glass offering a warmer feel and variety. The most commonly used veneer from the 50’s, 60’s or 70’s was rosewood and this was used by two of the best British manufacturers of the era. They were Merrow Associates and Pieff. Both companies produced items of the highest quality and style. Recognizing these pieces is not always easy due to the fact that Merrow rarely labeled their furniture whereas, fortunately, Pieff did.
Condition is an important factor when buying an item as chips to glass, chrome work that is pitted or flaking or veneers peeling or missing can be expensive to rectify.
Quality leathers were also used by Merrow and Pieff offering an even wider range to choose from. There were many other designers who are now widely collected and two of the leading designers were Robin Day and Ernest Race. They both produced a vast variety of items many of which have become design icons such as the Ernest Race “Heron” chair which had bolt-on legs with a fabric covered seat. Robin Day produced a huge range which included the use of molded plastic seating.
Retro design furniture from the Fifties onwards includes many designers from the USA as well as Europe and Scandinavia. From the USA designers had a huge influence on furniture production throughout the world, possibly the most influential being Eames whose items are very collectible.
George Nelson items are also well respected for style and quality of manufacture in particular the “Coconut” chair. Its radical, triangular shape helped make it become another design icon from the 1950’s.
Scandinavian designers produced many desirable items most of which were produced in teak and occasionally in rosewood. Most of these items were labeled making their origins easy to identify. The vast majority of these being of Danish origin.
Because quite often companies producing furniture manufactured a range for domestic and commercial/office use making it hard to determine their original design function i.e. there is a very fine line between a storage cabinet for office items, files etc and a sideboard for domestic usage. This cross over of use makes it easier to locate retro furniture as many items now turn up in second hand office furniture outlets. From a buyer’s point of view, the most commonly used source for locating items is now via specialist sellers, auction houses and eBay all of which have positive and negative aspects of buying your piece of retro furniture.
My advice would be research the item, obtain a condition report and negotiate a price that both the buyer and seller are happy with.
There are so many good designers of retro furniture it would be impossible to name them all but I couldn’t finish without mentioning one of my personal favorites – Robert Heritage. He also produced a wide range of furniture – one item in particular that has become a true design icon is the “Hamilton” sideboard which is a truly wonderful piece of design and functionality.
I hope you have found this useful and if you would like any further advice, please do not hesitate to get in touch via my website http://www.ovalinteriors.com
When first deciding on buying retro furniture, it is useful to know a few of the better manufacturers and designers from the period. This has been made slightly harder by the fact that an item of furniture called “retro” can come from the 1950’s through to current production items.
Once you have decided on a particular theme i.e. chromed items with glass (that can be either clear or tinted), sticking to that style lends itself to modern house or flat design. Options of various wood veneers were available as an alternative to glass offering a warmer feel and variety. The most commonly used veneer from the 50’s, 60’s or 70’s was rosewood and this was used by two of the best British manufacturers of the era. They were Merrow Associates and Pieff. Both companies produced items of the highest quality and style. Recognizing these pieces is not always easy due to the fact that Merrow rarely labeled their furniture whereas, fortunately, Pieff did.
Condition is an important factor when buying an item as chips to glass, chrome work that is pitted or flaking or veneers peeling or missing can be expensive to rectify.
Quality leathers were also used by Merrow and Pieff offering an even wider range to choose from. There were many other designers who are now widely collected and two of the leading designers were Robin Day and Ernest Race. They both produced a vast variety of items many of which have become design icons such as the Ernest Race “Heron” chair which had bolt-on legs with a fabric covered seat. Robin Day produced a huge range which included the use of molded plastic seating.
Retro design furniture from the Fifties onwards includes many designers from the USA as well as Europe and Scandinavia. From the USA designers had a huge influence on furniture production throughout the world, possibly the most influential being Eames whose items are very collectible.
George Nelson items are also well respected for style and quality of manufacture in particular the “Coconut” chair. Its radical, triangular shape helped make it become another design icon from the 1950’s.
Scandinavian designers produced many desirable items most of which were produced in teak and occasionally in rosewood. Most of these items were labeled making their origins easy to identify. The vast majority of these being of Danish origin.
Because quite often companies producing furniture manufactured a range for domestic and commercial/office use making it hard to determine their original design function i.e. there is a very fine line between a storage cabinet for office items, files etc and a sideboard for domestic usage. This cross over of use makes it easier to locate retro furniture as many items now turn up in second hand office furniture outlets. From a buyer’s point of view, the most commonly used source for locating items is now via specialist sellers, auction houses and eBay all of which have positive and negative aspects of buying your piece of retro furniture.
My advice would be research the item, obtain a condition report and negotiate a price that both the buyer and seller are happy with.
There are so many good designers of retro furniture it would be impossible to name them all but I couldn’t finish without mentioning one of my personal favorites – Robert Heritage. He also produced a wide range of furniture – one item in particular that has become a true design icon is the “Hamilton” sideboard which is a truly wonderful piece of design and functionality.
I hope you have found this useful and if you would like any further advice, please do not hesitate to get in touch via my website http://www.ovalinteriors.com
Unfinished Oak Furniture – Creating a Creative Masterpiece
John Alford asked:
The idea of unfinished oak furniture might be striking to some as it signifies the ongoing process and task of providing finishing touches relying solely on you. Those people who aspire of having off the rack supplies would find this whole concept of no help. However, for creative ones and those who wanted to create their unique style specifically produced by their own hands would definitely find good purpose in this type of fixture. A lot of people nowadays do not rest their creative flair in purchasing home decorations that are plainly acquired from stores. Instead of letting it be positioned as it is, some would have it fixed in various styles until they come up with what they can call their own design.
Unfinished oak furniture is known for its quality and high class wood depicting cultural traditions and reflecting old customs and legacy. Due to austere compliance to quality and perfection, this whole concept is embraced by a lot of people who aspires of having this as a collection at home. With touches of regality coupled with a stroke of antique emblems your interiors will certainly rise above other fittings making it the center of all your fixtures. Getting a hold of this will also allow you to customize the finishing touches and make necessary alterations in providing distinctive and exceptional design.
Oak is a symbol of perfection and precision. This what makes this kind of wood exceptional and apart from other lumber; its quality and ability to stand out from the rest whilst representing simplicity in form has set it to be one of the most sought-after wood in the market. Due to the demands of unfinished oak furniture, its major features are now deemed as its selling point. The material used for this is known to be of solid lumber comprising of both standard qualities of soft and hardwood. The color has varieties of natural shades which has the capacity to synchronize with all other lumbers present at your home. Weigh against refined fittings that are fixed with other mixtures, the changing of original shades has been one of the downfalls of finished fittings. The quality also rises above finished ones as there are no rooms for defects, dents and blemished areas. Many people are stricter when it comes to furniture imperfection and can easily withdraw attention if there are other options that are more enticing and functional.
Another major feature of unfinished oak furniture is the variety of designs and styles to choose from. Since these are made predominantly out of partial structure, the themes of each design vary making it feasible in applying various sorts of styles and patterns. Some of the fixtures available are dressers, racks, cabinets, mirrors, chairs, tables and a lot more that can either be positioned at one specific spot in the house or some can also be mounted on walls.
All these are what comprise an exceptional and outstanding use of oak furniture. Once you’ve come up with the finest one to fit in your house and harmonize in your entire interior, it is time for you to provide the finishing touches in making your own masterpiece.
The idea of unfinished oak furniture might be striking to some as it signifies the ongoing process and task of providing finishing touches relying solely on you. Those people who aspire of having off the rack supplies would find this whole concept of no help. However, for creative ones and those who wanted to create their unique style specifically produced by their own hands would definitely find good purpose in this type of fixture. A lot of people nowadays do not rest their creative flair in purchasing home decorations that are plainly acquired from stores. Instead of letting it be positioned as it is, some would have it fixed in various styles until they come up with what they can call their own design.
Unfinished oak furniture is known for its quality and high class wood depicting cultural traditions and reflecting old customs and legacy. Due to austere compliance to quality and perfection, this whole concept is embraced by a lot of people who aspires of having this as a collection at home. With touches of regality coupled with a stroke of antique emblems your interiors will certainly rise above other fittings making it the center of all your fixtures. Getting a hold of this will also allow you to customize the finishing touches and make necessary alterations in providing distinctive and exceptional design.
Oak is a symbol of perfection and precision. This what makes this kind of wood exceptional and apart from other lumber; its quality and ability to stand out from the rest whilst representing simplicity in form has set it to be one of the most sought-after wood in the market. Due to the demands of unfinished oak furniture, its major features are now deemed as its selling point. The material used for this is known to be of solid lumber comprising of both standard qualities of soft and hardwood. The color has varieties of natural shades which has the capacity to synchronize with all other lumbers present at your home. Weigh against refined fittings that are fixed with other mixtures, the changing of original shades has been one of the downfalls of finished fittings. The quality also rises above finished ones as there are no rooms for defects, dents and blemished areas. Many people are stricter when it comes to furniture imperfection and can easily withdraw attention if there are other options that are more enticing and functional.
Another major feature of unfinished oak furniture is the variety of designs and styles to choose from. Since these are made predominantly out of partial structure, the themes of each design vary making it feasible in applying various sorts of styles and patterns. Some of the fixtures available are dressers, racks, cabinets, mirrors, chairs, tables and a lot more that can either be positioned at one specific spot in the house or some can also be mounted on walls.
All these are what comprise an exceptional and outstanding use of oak furniture. Once you’ve come up with the finest one to fit in your house and harmonize in your entire interior, it is time for you to provide the finishing touches in making your own masterpiece.
Custom Wood Furniture for a Personal Touch
Groshan Fabiola asked:
The furniture in your home or office plays a great part in rendering that particular space the elegant yet comfortable look, so much sought after by most of us. We naturally assume that you already dealt with the other important aspect of your furniture, namely that of being practical and fulfilling its basic functions. This means that once you have narrowed your search with details such as size and color, all you have to be concerned about is succeeding in adding your personal touch to the room you want to furnish. You can do a lot more than choosing the wallpaper that you like, matching carpets with drapes, finding nice paintings to hang on the walls, and so forth. You can personalize a room in your home or even your entire home with the furniture you use. And uniqueness is not limited to a particular design for your furniture. You can now order custom wood furniture that will definitely be very defining of your tastes and personality.
You can make the custom wood furniture in your home or office a versatile companion to any décor. You can choose custom wood furniture and make it both functional and practical, so as to meet the demands of everyday living.
Before we discuss your custom wood furniture options, we should definitely rule out the possibility of buying furniture made out anything else but wood. As you probably know, there are materials such as particleboards or veneers that can replicate the aspect of oak furniture very well, but aspect should not be your only concern when it comes to purchasing furniture. You definitely do not want to have to change your furniture too soon, just because it is no longer functional. You have to invest in furniture that will last long enough, and make sure that if you do decide to replace your furniture with some new one, it will be because you want your home to look different, and not because you are forced by unfortunate circumstances. Everyone expects his or her furniture to be durable and sturdy, and only custom wood furniture can give you that.
The choices of custom wood furniture are varied as far as the type of wood being used goes. Depending on factors such as inside or outside furniture, the weight that the piece of furniture has to hold, its durability, and so on, you can opt for either of the following woods for your custom wood furniture: ash, birch, cedar, cypress, elm, engineered wood, beech, cherry, mahogany, hickory, pine, maple, oak, redwood, rattan, teak, walnut, etc. Each type of wood has its own characteristics and can be recommended as being most appropriate for one or several pieces of custom wood furniture.
Whatever the style of your home may be, contemporary, traditional or rustic, you can choose the exact pieces of custom wood furniture that suit it best. Probably your best choice of custom wood furniture is Amish furniture. It is almost everything you would expect your furniture to be. Amish furniture is reliable, sturdy and solid. Aside form being an investment that can last for generations, Amish custom wood furniture is always stylish due to its simplicity and elegance.
If you are looking for custom wood furnituree please visit http://www.onlineamishfurniture.com
The furniture in your home or office plays a great part in rendering that particular space the elegant yet comfortable look, so much sought after by most of us. We naturally assume that you already dealt with the other important aspect of your furniture, namely that of being practical and fulfilling its basic functions. This means that once you have narrowed your search with details such as size and color, all you have to be concerned about is succeeding in adding your personal touch to the room you want to furnish. You can do a lot more than choosing the wallpaper that you like, matching carpets with drapes, finding nice paintings to hang on the walls, and so forth. You can personalize a room in your home or even your entire home with the furniture you use. And uniqueness is not limited to a particular design for your furniture. You can now order custom wood furniture that will definitely be very defining of your tastes and personality.
You can make the custom wood furniture in your home or office a versatile companion to any décor. You can choose custom wood furniture and make it both functional and practical, so as to meet the demands of everyday living.
Before we discuss your custom wood furniture options, we should definitely rule out the possibility of buying furniture made out anything else but wood. As you probably know, there are materials such as particleboards or veneers that can replicate the aspect of oak furniture very well, but aspect should not be your only concern when it comes to purchasing furniture. You definitely do not want to have to change your furniture too soon, just because it is no longer functional. You have to invest in furniture that will last long enough, and make sure that if you do decide to replace your furniture with some new one, it will be because you want your home to look different, and not because you are forced by unfortunate circumstances. Everyone expects his or her furniture to be durable and sturdy, and only custom wood furniture can give you that.
The choices of custom wood furniture are varied as far as the type of wood being used goes. Depending on factors such as inside or outside furniture, the weight that the piece of furniture has to hold, its durability, and so on, you can opt for either of the following woods for your custom wood furniture: ash, birch, cedar, cypress, elm, engineered wood, beech, cherry, mahogany, hickory, pine, maple, oak, redwood, rattan, teak, walnut, etc. Each type of wood has its own characteristics and can be recommended as being most appropriate for one or several pieces of custom wood furniture.
Whatever the style of your home may be, contemporary, traditional or rustic, you can choose the exact pieces of custom wood furniture that suit it best. Probably your best choice of custom wood furniture is Amish furniture. It is almost everything you would expect your furniture to be. Amish furniture is reliable, sturdy and solid. Aside form being an investment that can last for generations, Amish custom wood furniture is always stylish due to its simplicity and elegance.
If you are looking for custom wood furnituree please visit http://www.onlineamishfurniture.com


