July 16, 2010

Rediscover Oak Furniture

"Keeping up with the times" is a common phrase that can pertain to many things such as fashion, technology, automobiles, etc. The furniture industry is no different. Back in the early to mid 90’s, the vast majority of all furniture sold was country-style: a light coloured oak, with a comfortable, homey feel. To this day, when most people think of "Mennonite furniture," this is what they picture. At Mennonite Furniture Plus, we follow the trends and styles closely as they change, and try our best to keep one step ahead. Over the past 10 years, we've seen the popularity of furniture constructed out of maple rise in leaps and bounds. Furthermore, we've found that most of our customers prefer darker colours, often referred to as "cherry" or "espresso." But as with all trends, they come and they go. It was only a matter of time before the consumer started to desire something different and new. And while maple and espresso woods are still popular, the demand for traditional country-style oak is currently on the rise, and we at Mennonite Furniture Plus, couldn't be happier with the change! The demand for dark oak furniture still outnumbers requests for lighter oak grains, but regardless, it is still the same hearty wood that has been used for centuries.

Beautiful furniture starts with beautiful wood. Oak has been the top choice of skilled furniture craftsman thanks to its durability, texture, and stunning quality for hundreds of years. Oak furniture has a timeless look and feel that can blend seamlessly with any colour palette and compliment every design style. Solid oak furniture is always in vogue, so why not invest in a piece that you’ll love for a lifetime? Rediscover the joys of oak at Mennonite Furniture Plus.

Advantages of Decorating with Oak
One of the main advantages of decorating with oak furniture is the overall durability of the piece. Solid oak is one of the strongest wood materials available, and thus one of the most popular. What’s more, expertly designed and maintained oak furniture can last for decades, making it a great investment for any homeowner. Oak furniture is also extremely easy to incorporate into a design scheme and colour palette. Whether you’re creating a classic French boudoir, or a contemporary kitchen, oak furniture will add a sophisticated touch and comfortable feel.

What to Look For When Buying Oak Furniture
When shopping for quality oak furniture remember to:

• Buy solid oak pieces.
  Some manufacturers use an oak veneer (a thin sheet of oak glued over a cheaper wood or fiber board) in order to give the illusion of solid oak. This type of material is far less durable than solid oak and should be avoided at all costs.
• Check the grain.
  Oak is known for having a beautiful grain, but that doesn’t mean that imperfections don’t exist. Be sure to check your oak furniture closely before purchasing it to ensure there are minimal  imperfections, knots, or grain variations.
• Price check.
  When it comes to furniture, oak is one of the more affordable hardwoods that you can purchase. If you’re shopping for a quality piece of solid oak furniture expect to pay less than you would for  mahogany, cherry, or walnut furnishings.
•  Investigate the finish.
  There are many different types of oak furniture and each requires a different type of varnish, stain, or finish. Untreated oak is also available and easily cared for (simply wipe with teak oil).

Tips for Mending Damaged Oak
One of the most frustrating aspects of owning oak furniture is the wood’s extreme sensitivity to moisture. Condensation from a drinking glass can often leave a ghastly ring on an oak table, but don’t despair. Simply grab a stick of butter! Oak artisans swear that a butter massage can help draw the moisture out of the wood and revitalize your furniture. Massage the butter into the mark overnight and then wipe clean in the morning. Follow it up with a quick polish and your table will look as good as new. Have a stubborn water mark? Then try a mixture of cigarette ashes and olive oil. When combined, these two unlikely materials create a paste that will penetrate the wood and attack the moisture. Unfortunately, ashes and oil will dull the finish of your wood slightly, so don’t forget to give the area a thorough polish when you’re done.

Mennonite Furniture Plus proudly offers a wide variety of solid oak furnishings. Stop by our store at 2200 Wharncliffe Road South in Lambeth to view our inventory, or call toll free 1-888-652-0544 for more details.