Is the piece solid wood or veneer?
- Follow the glue line formed from lamination in the top piece of the table or chest (it should match up with the grain lines along the side edge). This will indicate if the top is indeed solid wood pieces that have been glued together as opposed to veneer pieces that have been glued to the top and side edges. In the latter case, the grain will go the opposite way or will not match up.
What should I look for to determine whether it's a quality piece?
- English dovetail joints at the face and back of the drawers (these are much stronger than using nails or glue on flat sides).
- Sanded and finished-edge drawer sides so clothes and items won't get snagged inside the drawer.
- A wood glide should be underneath the drawer. This will last the longest and not get out of alignment. Also check for wood reinforcements on the sides of the drawer bottom.
- In the main cabinet, look for a wood glide so the drawers slide wood-to-wood instead of on metal.
- A wood dust divider between the upper and lower drawers. Many manufacturers simply use cardboard (which will eventually warp), paper or nothing at all.
What if the piece appears to be veneer?
- Having veneer on a piece doesn't necessarily mean it is lower quality than solid wood. Indeed, some pieces are made that way in order to create intricate and beautiful designs in the wood.
- When there is a pattern in the wood that is continued along the drawer fronts, it is made from a "crotch-faced veneer." The wood is split into thin consecutive layers and then applied to the drawer fronts. If any of these consecutive layers split, the furniture maker has to start over.
- A "book and butt" match occurs when the wood is split open like a book and then split the opposite direction. This process creates some wonderful designs.
- Applying thin layers of wood over MDF (medium density fiberboard) makes quality veneer. The purpose of veneer is to stop movement of wood (since MDF does not have a grain in the center portion of the block, the wood will not move). Solid wood will move, so quality solid wood furniture is built to direct that movement.
What can I expect in furniture trends?
- Many pieces are made to look completely different by the stain, finishing process and hardware used.
- Darker stains, shinier finishes and more formal drawer pulls create a traditional look from past decades.
- Light-color stain, a soft finish and more casual hardware is the trend in wood furniture.
Resources furniture - Cresent Wholesale Furniture Company
Cresent Wholesale Furniture Company
1009 Third Ave. North
Nashville, TN 37201
USA
Phone: 615-242-6524
Toll Free Phone: 888-242-3900
Fax: 615-254--4126
Email:
information@cresent.com
URL:
www.cresent.com
Guests Denny Morice
Vice President, Cresent Furniture
1009 Third Ave. N.
Nashville, TN 37201
Phone: 615-242-6524
Fax: 615-254-4126
URL:
www.cresent.com
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