Wood Finishes for Custom Furniture
By Kevin Fristad - Wood Artists Gallery
People often ask what the most suitable finish is for a particular piece of custom wood furniture. This is not an easy question as the answer varies considerably depending on your décor and how you intend to use your wood art. For example, a dining table can be finished with multiple coats of high gloss lacquer which produces a mirror finish, or it can simply have a hand rubbed oil finish with a paste wax top coat. The lacquer will be more difficult to maintain, whereas small scratches and minor blemishes can easily be removed from an oil rubbed surface. With this type of finish, your handcrafted furniture can be refinished in later years with minimal difficulty.
Other finishing considerations on your gallery furniture are whether or not to use stain or to go with a clear finish that shows the natural color of the wood. It’s mostly a matter of taste, style, and design. Some people are drawn to exotic dyes and intricate color schemes, and this certainly has its place in modern design. I prefer the natural look myself, and tend to choose woods that are highlighted by the use of clear finishes. No matter what finish you choose, your custom solid wood furniture will last a lifetime, and will only increase in value as time goes on.
Furniture distressing remains popular for those seeking the “farmhouse” or “country” look or which is also referred to as rustic wood furniture. This is the process of artificially producing a “worn” or “aged” look on wood furniture and if done artfully, the age of an accent table, for example can fool even the most seasoned antique dealer! This technique is often used on pine furniture or that made from softwoods. The thinking here is that softwood furniture is more likely to be scratched or dented and if it starts out that way, any further blemishing will be hardly noticeable. In fact, it merely adds to the character. Custom furniture in this style produces a warm, comfortable, and inviting atmosphere where one need not worry about accidentally denting the living room furniture during a hyperactive card game with your kids!
As environmental awareness increases, more and more people are asking about “green finishes”. These are finishes that are generally water based, feature low VOC’s (volatile organic compounds), and are readily available as states and municipalities begin to regulate the use of highly toxic lacquers and polyurethanes. These natural finishes are often used on baby furniture where there’s a risk of a child gnawing on the edge of his or her crib, for example. Others merely want to do their part to stem the use of dangerous, petroleum based finishes and are insisting that the finish on their custom furniture be made from as many natural ingredients as possible.
Every maker of handcrafted furniture has his or her favorite way of finishing, and if you decide to commission a piece of custom furniture from Wood Artist’s Gallery, be sure to ask questions about the finish. Our experienced staff can explain the differences and guide you through this technical area with ease. Once a proposal has been accepted and a finish chosen, we will supply an actual finish sample for your approval prior to fabrication. Our goal is to ensure that you know exactly what your fine furniture will look like once it arrives at your home.
