Living room furniture design trends: Tables with copper tops

Tables with hammered copper tops meld this year's top design trends of metallic materials and artisan craftsman-like quality.

Gold and silver metallic finishes—matte or shiny—have been in the spotlight for the past few seasons, due, in part, to the increased popularity of contemporary furniture. Chunky, tapered or U-shaped silver legs stylishly support sleek, leather sofas and trendy accent chairs, while shiny gold accent tables add a touch of elegance to living room furniture.

Now, as economic conditions prompt people to spend more time at home, family-friendly furnishings that look gently used and exude warmth are catching consumers' eye. Living room furniture such as tables with hammered copper tops, for instance, bring visual interest and textural appeal. Hooker Furniture's Copper Key dining group pairs lightly hammered copper tabletops with hardwood solids treated to a black finish.

Copper Instincts’ Patricia rectangular dining table features a hand-forged, solid iron base with an antiqued copper finish that complements the hand-hammered, recycled copper top. Also available in occasional tables for living room furniture and round dining tables, Patricia is sold in custom sizes.


Ideal living room furniture for spaces with Lodge or Southwestern furnishings, Copper Creek rectangular cocktail table from Broyhill Furniture has a hammered and veined solid copper top with an aged patina that sits on twisted metal legs. It measures 48 inches wide by 28 inches deep by 19 inches high.

Furniture design trends: Well-worn finishes

Finish fashion continues to favor well-worn effects. Some of the markings are achieved in the finishing department, while others are earned naturally over time. What's new now? Powdery colors, reclaimed woods and lustrous gold touches.

Striking gold
	As on fashion runways, gold will continue to add sparkle to home furnishings this year on upholstery, casegoods and occasional pieces. "Gold will be trending up,” said Leslie Harrington, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Color Assn. of the United States. "Especially with the popularity of yellow, which continues be so strong in fashion and the home. And metallics are now regarded as a staple—you simply have to have them." Constructed from alder solids and white cherry veneers, Marge Carson's Les Marches display cabinet wears the company's new Taupe Gold finish.
True blues
	Newly introduced blues are likely to captivate accent furniture shoppers, especially since Pantone’s Executive Director Lee Eiseman has dubbed blue to be the eco shade du jour. Century Furniture’s Barcelona Blue credenza wears a Bluebell finish on its base and a Driftwood finish on its top. Part of the company’s Spanish-inspired Barcelona Collection, the piece is crafted with deeply distressed ash and Colombian walnut veneers and comes in Bluebell, Green Apple, Buttercup, Vanilla, Driftwood and Aged Amaretto, as well as 60 custom finishes.
Reclaimed fame
	When casegoods manufacturers began introducing environmentally friendly home furnishings several seasons ago, they touted their use of sustainably harvested woods and natural finishes that emphasized the woods’ grain. Now, more companies are looking to reclaimed wood—imperfections included—to create casegoods with a handcrafted, one-of-a-kind look. Take Butler Specialty Co.’s #4026035 two-drawer, chairside chest. It takes green and Asian inspiration to the next level through the use of heavily distressed, reclaimed wood.Arin Intl.’s Irish Coast Collection, meanwhile, features case pieces handmade from reclaimed timber and reclaimed metal. Arin’s writing bureau is shown here in the African Dusk finish.
The right white
	Styled for beach houses, traditional cottages or spaces that lack natural light, home furnishings wearing skillfully distressed summer white finishes bring the requisite dose of Coastal charm to an interior. A two-tone treatment completes the effect. Sporting Habersham's Classic White and Honey Connoisseau finishes, Madison four-column table and Harvest fan-back side and arm chairs were inspired by architectural elements found at Madison Inn, a seaside getaway on Martha's Vinegard. The pieces are part of the company's Grand Cottage Collection.

Furniture Tips : Teak Care

In clean air untreated teak weathers to an attractive ash gray, but where most boats live, the assault of modern-day air pollutants quickly turns bare teak nearly black. Scrubbing tends to leave behind an unattractive mottled look, neither golden nor gray. Most boatowners eventually find themselves unhappy with either look and decide that some treatment is essential.

Paint provides the longest lasting protection but it hides the wood. If we want the natural beauty of the wood to show, we must apply a clear coating. The choices are oil, sealer, or varnish.

Cleaning
Before teak can be given any coating, it must be completely clean. Your expensive teak is literally dissolved by strong cleaners, so always use the mildest cleaner that does the job. A 75/25 mixture of liquid laundry detergent (such as Wisk) and chlorine bleach may be adequate, perhaps boosted with TSP (trisodium phosphate). Apply this mixture with a stiff brush, scrubbing lightly with the grain. Leave it on the wood for several minutes to give the detergent time to suspend the dirt and the bleach time to lighten the wood, then rinse the wood thoroughly, brushing it to clear the grain.

If the teak is still dark or stained when it dries, a cleaner with oxalic acid is required. This is the active ingredient in most single-part teak cleaners. Wet the teak and sprinkle on the cleaner. Spread it evenly with a Scotchbrite or bronze wool pad, then give it a few minutes to work. While the wood is still wet, scrub it with the Scotchbrite pad or bronze wool. (Never, ever, ever use steel wool aboard your boat-it will leave a trail of rust freckles that will be impossible to remove.) Oxalic acid will dull paint and fiberglass and damage anodized aluminum, so wet down surrounding surfaces before you start and keep them free of the cleaner. Rinse the scrubbed wood thoroughly-brushing is required-and let it dry completely.

Two-part teak cleaners are dramatically effective at restoring the color to soiled, stained, and neglected teak, but these formulations contain a strong acid-usually hydrochloric-and should only be used when gentler cleaning methods have failed. Wet the wood to be cleaned. The cleaner will dissolve natural bristles, so use a nylon brush to paint part one onto the wet wood. Avoid getting the cleaner onto adjoining surfaces. Remove the dissolved surface by scrubbing the wood with the grain with a stiff brush or a Scotchbrite pad.

Part two neutralizes the acid in part one, and it usually has some additional cleaning properties. Paint a sufficient amount of part two onto the teak to get a uniform color change, then scrub lightly. Flush away all traces of the cleaner and let the wood dry.

Oil
Oiling teak on boats is a time-honored tradition. Oil intensifies the colors and grain patterns of wood and gives the wood a rich, warm appearance. Because it simply enhances the inherent beauty of the wood-more like salt than sauce-oiling is arguably the most attractive of all wood finishes, and it restores some of the teak's natural oils and resins. Unfortunately, the benefit of oiling exterior teak is extremely transitory. The sorry truth is that teak will last just as long if you don't oil it-longer really, since repeated between-coat scrubbing wears the wood away. But oiling teak isn't about protecting the wood; it's about recovering and maintaining that golden glow that made us want teak on the boat in the first place.

Teak oils are primarily either linseed oil or tung oil, bolstered by resins to make them more durable. Linseed oil tends to darken the teak, but it is significantly cheaper. Tung oil doesn't darken the wood, and it is more water resistant than linseed oil-a notable advantage for boat use. However, a month or two after application, it may be hard to discern that much difference since both oils carbonize in the sun and turn dark. Proprietary teak oils address this problem with various additives, including pigments, UV filters, and mildew retardants. Some that perform admirably in one climate are reviled in another. If you are going to oil your teak, make your teak oil selection based on the recommendations of other boatowners in your area.

Apply teak oil with a paint brush. Immediately wipe up (with a spirits-dampened cloth) any drips or runs on fiberglass or painted surfaces, or the resins the oil contains will leave dark, nearly-impossible-to-remove stains. Watch out for sneaky runs below the rail.

Oiling requires multiple coats. The wood will initially "drink" the oil, and thinning the first coat about 20% with mineral spirits or turpentine encourages it to penetrate the wood more deeply. By the third coat, oil will begin to stand in some areas. Wipe up excess oil with a cloth. Continue to brush on the oil and wipe away any excess until the wood is saturated. The wood should have a matte finish without any shiny spots.

Sealers
Another approach to achieving a natural look is the application of a sealer. Durability and ease of application have made some sealers very popular with boatowners.

Sealers don't feed the wood but, as the name suggests, they seal out moisture and dirt, and seal in natural oils and resins. Unfortunately, the oils and resins may already be lost, so the first step in applying a sealer to old teak is to restore the oil content with a thorough application of teak oil. Clean and bleach the wood to a uniform color, then oil it until it refuses to accept more. Now wait at least two weeks to let the resins dry before you apply the sealer.

After two weeks, wash the wood and let it dry completely. Sealers need an oil-free surface to attach to, so wipe the wood heavily with a rag soaked in acetone to remove all oil from the surface. The oil the wood has absorbed will be unaffected by this quick-flashing solvent. Unless the can instructs you otherwise, apply sealer exactly like oil. A throw-away brush is adequate for the job, and brushing technique is not a concern. Wipe away all excess with a cloth. Apply additional coats until the surface shows a uniform matte finish.

Maintain sealed wood by washing it and applying a fresh coat of sealer every two to three months.

Varnish
Aside from its much-admired appearance, varnish offers genuine protection for the wood. Wood coated with varnish will not dry out and split, will not absorb moisture and rot, is unaffected by dirt and pollution, and will be untouched, thus unstained, by oily or greasy spills.

The absence of pigment in varnish means it does not shield the underlying surface from the sun. Ultraviolet radiation penetrates the coating and carbonizes the oils in the wood, causing the wood to darken beneath the varnish. To minimize this effect, varnish makers add ultraviolet inhibitors-sun screens-to their products. For exterior brightwork, select a quality spar varnish (not urethane varnish) heavily fortified with UV inhibitors. As always, get local recommendations from other boatowners before selecting a specific varnish.

Teak doesn't hold varnish as well as other woods due to its oil content, but a long-lasting coating is possible with the right technique. Books have been written about applying varnish. You may not get that perfect, mirror-like finish on your first try, but as long as the wood is ivory smooth, the weather is warm and dry, and you don't "worry" the varnish with too many brush strokes, you should get admirable results. Plan on applying at least six coats.

For more information about oiling and varnishing brightwork, consult Sailboat Refinishing by Don Casey.

How To Choose Your Garden Furniture And Make It Last

Before you buy any garden furniture it is strongly recommended that you do some research. Doing so will greatly increase your chances of buying garden furniture that is right for you and will last you a long time. Following are some important tips you need to consider before you buy.

Firstly decide whether you want stackable or foldaway furniture that will be put away in the shed or garage in winter or if you want permanent solid garden furniture that remains in situ all year round. If you want your garden furniture to be a permanent part of your garden for esthetic reasons then it is recommended that you go for heavy furniture made from hardwood, aluminum or wrought iron with rust proofing. It is well worth spending the money on the heavier more durable materials as this will be much more cost effective in the long run.

Choosing the right type of material and construction is paramount. Decide what kind of material for your garden furniture would best compliment your patio or garden. Select a material that will stay in balance with your garden.

Wood is the best all round as it is lightweight, esthetically pleasing and comfortable but requires some maintenance. Choose a tropical hardwood which is high in natural oil content like teak, iroko or courbaril. These woods are weather resistant and can be left outside throughout the year.

Make sure that mortice and tenon joints are used for your teak garden furniture and not bolts which corrode. If any metal fittings are used in the construction make sure they are made from brass, stainless steel or aluminum which are corrosion resistant.

Make sure the construction is only premium grade teak for our garden furniture, so any knots, cracks and other defects are eliminated before the timber is used to build the furniture. Additionally, Make sure your teak garden furniture is kiln dried to optimise moisture content and ensure shape is maintained and cracks are eliminated.

Teak garden furniture that is assembled using epoxy based glues tend to have the best performance and durability of all the types of joints as the epoxy resin used will not be affected by rain or frost.

If your teak garden furniture becomes dirty it is easy to clean with warm soapy water and a scrubbing brush which will enable you to restore the beautiful silver grey weathered look. If required a pressure hose can be used at 60-80 bar [900-1200psi] at a distance of no less than 30cm.

Once your teak garden furniture has weathered the colour will be enhanced by an annual scrub. A small amount of bleach added to the water will suppress any algae growth.

Any stains and grease spots can be immediately removed by washing down using a light detergent then rinsing off with clean water as soon as they occur. However, this is not essential as nature will take its course over time.

In dry weather small cracks will appear in the end of the grain timbers. This is natural and no action needs to be taken as when the moisture in the atmosphere increases the timber will return to its original condition.

It is not necessary to use teak oil or varnish as these will not extend the life of your garden furniture and are purely cosmetic. However, if you wish to preserve the as new appearance of your teak garden furniture the application of teak oil when the furniture is new will give a more lustre finish than leaving untouched. Please ensure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions as usually this is a three stage process. Make sure the timber is completely dry when you apply the teak oil, otherwise the furniture will blacken.

Wrought iron garden furniture generally looks the best as it is usually hand crafted to give a unique look. The disadvantages of wrought iron furniture is that it is not as comfortable as wood and heavier to move around. Additionally, iron rusts so wrought iron garden furniture has to be especially coated to prevent it from rusting so make sure the supplier gives you at least a one year warranty against rust.

Finally, if you can, it is recommended that you invest in a cover for your garden furniture. Covers now come in all shapes and sizes and are well worth the money as they add years to the life of your garden furniture. Simply place the cover on your garden furniture every evening or when it rains, you will see the benefits in the long term.

Purchase The Right Furniture For Your Outdoors

Who doesn’t like the great outdoors? That light breeze, the warm sunshine and a great lounge chair - these are all you need to uplift your mood. While there is little you can do about the breeze and the sun, you can definitely select good outdoor furniture to make your day beautiful. Outdoor furniture pieces need to be chosen carefully because they are exposed to the ravages of weather much more than the indoor ones. You could try Amish made furniture as it is well known for its beauty and durability. This article will help you select sturdy and durable furniture for your outdoor rendezvous with nature.

For most of the outdoor furniture, it is the material that is most important. If you are considering traditional furniture, consider buying Amish furniture made of wood. Teak is a perennial favorite with buyers because of its lovely coloring and hardwood qualities. Teak is also capable of holding its own against all weather conditions and its natural oils act as natural deterrents to mosses. No re-polishing or painting is necessary for teak as it lasts long without excessive finishing.

Wooden furniture looks good but needs a lot of maintenance. The best type of wooden furniture for outdoors would be Oak furniture. Oak can be quite durable and come in various varieties like Chinese Oak and Red Oak. Again, Amish Oak furniture can be a great choice for your patio.

If you are going for wooden furniture, cedar is a good choice too. This wood is softer than Oak but looks particularly warm and inviting. Moreover, it is much lighter than Oak and thus it is easier to transfer this furniture from one place to the other in times of need. A popular form of cedar is Red Cedar. Both Oak and cedar are durable and have materials that keep fungus, insects and mildew away.

Since your outdoors is the first thing a guest notices, it becomes even more important to not only buy durable furniture but also furniture that looks good. You have to use your creativity to arrange your beautiful outdoor furniture in your courtyard or patio. You can use lovely Amish handcrafted furniture to create a formal look and make your guests appreciate your exquisite outdoors.

However, if you intend to use your outdoor for family outings like barbecues, it is better to use simpler furniture, as you do not want your high-end expensive pieces to get ruined by the heat. Similarly, if your outdoors includes a swimming pool, you should keep good quality plastic furniture to enhance the pool side effect.

The whole decoration of your patio should be as natural as possible. Too many decorative pieces will add too much artificiality to the outdoor look. Thus you will have to be smart in your selection of furniture and lighting so that they add to the natural surroundings as effortlessly as possible. Try not to clutter your patio with too many furniture, as this place needs to be very spacious. Also, buy furniture that fits well according to the size of your garden. An oversized armchair for a small courtyard or a tiny stool for a huge garden will be very odd looking.

Finally, always remember that your outdoor is meant for relaxation and rest and the ambience should always be inviting and simple.

Top 5 Advantages Of Teak Garden Furniture

As warm weather approaches, you may find yourself searching for garden furniture. What is a backyard barbecue without garden furniture – after all, where would your guests sit? Though there is a wide variety of patio furniture, none is as beautiful as garden furniture made with teak. Why is teak a great material for garden furniture? Well, there are some distinct advantages, such as these:

Advantage #1 – Durable and Strong

Teak has many advantages over other materials used to make patio furniture. The first and most significant advantage is that teak is a strong, durable and beautiful hardwood from India, Thailand or Malaysia. This exotic material was first used in the Middle Ages as a shipbuilding material, so it had to be strong to endure the long voyages at sea.

Advantage #2 – Waterproof

After the ships were decommissioned, the boats made with teak material were still salvageable, since teak did not rot or rust, even when joined with metal. This is one of the reasons that teak is such a great material used to make garden furniture. So, if teak could survive long trips on the harsh ocean, image how well it will stand up in your garden—without rusting or rotting! These waterproofing advantages are what make teak garden furniture an exceptional choice for your garden furniture.

Advantage #3 – Low Maintenance

Garden furniture can be extremely high maintenance. Some materials attract dirt and grime more than other materials however, not teak wood. Teak, on the other hand, is very low maintenance, making teak garden furniture a great buy. If you are looking for a low maintenance material for your garden furniture, teak wood is the way to go.

Advantage #4 – Long-lasting

Since most people can’t afford to buy new garden furniture each year, another distinct advantage of teak garden furniture over garden furniture made from other materials is that it is extremely long-lasting. Teak garden furniture is so strong that it can stand the test of time, making it extremely cost-effective.

Advantage #5 – Stylish

If you’re looking for sleek and stylish garden furniture, look no further than teak garden furniture. To keep teak’s original color, all you have to do is use teak oil annually. Or, if you prefer, allow the color to change naturally over time. With so many finish choices, there is sure to be at least one shade and style to suit your garden furniture needs.

If you’re anxiously awaiting the warm weather season and especially looking forward to purchasing teak garden furniture, don’t forget the advantages that teak has over any other material—you won’t be disappointed. Durable and strong, waterproof, low maintenance, long-lasting and stylish, teak garden furniture should be your first choice when you shop for garden furniture.

Adirondack All Weather Furniture - Choosing the Right Wood Type

Few people are aware of the fact that the idea for quality Adirondack all weather furniture began with a quest to find the perfect chair for relaxing on lazy summer evenings. This is why comfort is one of the very first things anyone thinks of when imagining an Adirondack chair or lounger. Aside from comfort, the other feature that most comes to mind when thinking about Adirondack all weather furniture is durability…why else would they call it all-weather!?

Because the original Adirondack chairs were originally designed for outdoor use at some lake cottage or similar retreat—the furniture had to be durable and was thus made from woods such as:

1. Cypress

2. Pine

3. Cedar

The use of cypress for construction purposes dates all the way back to ancient Egypt when the wood was a material for the construction of caskets for the first pharaohs. Today, cypress is a very common wood and used to make outdoor furniture like swings and various deck accessories. Cypress is also commonly used to make doors and windows as well because it has a preservative within the wood grain that helps it naturally repel insects and resist rot and decay which is why it is a popular choice when crafting quality-made Adirondack chairs and patio furniture.

Pine is another common wood used to make quality Adirondack all weather chairs and other seasonal outdoor furniture. Because of its abundance and relatively quick growth cycle, pine tends to be a cheaper wood and is used extensively in the construction of many outdoor furniture pieces, including tables, benches, swings, chairs, and loungers. Pine tends to have a relatively low oil content and tends to thus dry out easily, making it susceptible to cracking. However, when properly maintained, pine can be used to make premium Adirondack all weather furniture.

Cedar is a great wood when thinking about quality Adirondack outdoor furniture. Having a reddish brown color, cedar wood tends to be somewhat knotty and is actually a softwood. Cedar is naturally insect repellant and tends to have a very distinctive aroma which can be managed with a sealer. However, quality Adirondack all weather furniture made from cedar is both beautiful and very durable making it an excellent choice when buying patio or deck chairs, tables, or accessories.

Outdoor Furniture for your Cottage Garden

A blooming cottage garden is a show stopping garden. It has a natural whimsical feel and it picks the interest of all its visitors with the desire to identify the different intricately placed plants. The cottage garden is a collection of bountiful blooms that give an ever-changing feel over the growing seasons. Although the most of the cottage themed garden is away from the street, there some hints in the front yard of the back yard treasure.

A cottage garden is one of the easiest gardens to maintain as it has a natural feel. There is however a fine line between a well kept cottage garden and a garden jungle. Maintenance of your cottage garden includes regularly inspecting the garden and pulling volunteer tree seedling. Keep the plants that spread at an invasive rate under check. Every time you walk your garden, carry pruning shears to keep your plants dead headed to encourage blooming. Once the perennials are spent and done with their blooming cut them back when they are no longer attractive.

One of the best ways to enjoy your garden is by sitting on outdoor patio furniture in your backyard. Invest in nice outdoor patio furniture. Shopping for outdoor patio furniture can be a challenge as well because of the wide variety to choose from. Outdoor patio furniture can be made from aluminum, which is lightweight and allows you to move your furniture around as needed. The type of outdoor patio furniture comes with fabric padding in all different colors and designs.

Some outdoor patio furniture is made from aluminum mesh; this resembles wrought iron but doesn’t need the same maintenance that the iron needs. There is also patio furniture made of cast aluminum. This is heavier than regular outdoor patio furniture. It is however very ornate and beautiful and is available in many colors and styles. PVC has also been used to make great outdoor patio furniture. PVC makes for simple, durable and affordable patio furniture. Rattan has the more traditional look of patio furniture. High quality rattan is very durable. Other types are resin, steel; which can last a life time, teak, wicker and wrought iron. With such a variety, you won’t have any trouble finding a style and design to match your needs.

Wood benches in your cottage garden blend in well. You can use them for sitting while admiring your handy work, allowing you to sit in your backyard and take in the smells and sights of your labor. There are also wooden benches that seat two. These benches are perfect for a quiet chat in the backyard with a friend.

There are many types and styles of wood benches to choose from. You choice of bench will be determined by its function. Garden wood benches are made out of many different types of wood. They can be made out of oak, pine or chestnut. Whatever wood the benches are made of, they need to be sturdy and resilient as well as being able to survive the elements. Garden wood benches are also found in many styles, the standard backless bench, the planted bench, a love seat style bench, a Nantucket bench, Adirondack bench and the bench that wraps around a back yard tree. Whichever you choose, it will blend well in your cottage garden.

A Number Of Reasons For You To Invest In Teak Garden Furniture

Isn’t nature wonderful? What better way is there for you to enjoy nature than from the comfort of your own patio. But if you really want to rough it and feel the roughness of the paving stones under your bottom, then you really need to consider investing in some furniture for those warm sultry summer nights. One of the best options now available is teak furniture for outdoors.

Teak furniture is renowned for being sturdy and durable and years ago it was the preferred material in many ship yards around the world for ship building. So if it good enough to be used on the seas and oceans of the world it is good enough for your garden. In fact whatever weather your part of the world can throw at it, it can cope.

You will find that most of teak used these days in this sort of furniture has come from either Indonesia or Thailand. Both these countries have tropical rainforest areas where the trees grow and mature under a number of different environmental conditions, and it is for this reason that they have become so resistant to harsh conditions and why this carries through to any piece of teak furniture.

Also teak furniture is more or less impervious to being attacked by either insects or rot and this is due to the high concentrations of natural oils within the wood that repel the insects, mould and fungus. These oils are not just present in the live trees but also in those that have been cut down to be used and so will definitely be present in any piece of teak furniture that you choose to buy. As you can imagine this is not good news for those homeowners who spent vast amounts of money of other wooden outdoors furniture and only to have it collapse or disintegrate in front them after a while.

So when looking for furniture for your garden or patio then you should definitely consider teak furniture to be the benchmark by with any other wooden furniture is judged. Although it is expensive you will find that there are large number of different variations of the furniture that you will be able to purchase such as teak chairs, teak tables, teak garden benches are just a few.

But there is one thing any owner of teak furniture should remember is the maintenance of it. There is one thing that not just wooden furniture but also teak furniture is susceptible to and that is moss. Not only is it unsightly but is dangerous if it gets wet. But don’t worry teak furniture can easily with just soap and water and that is really all you need to do to maintain your teak outdoors furniture.

So all you need to think about now is how great it will look in your garden and just how long it is going to last for you.

Luxury Patio Furniture For Your Deck

Do you see yourself lounging on a Caribbean beach every time you close your eyes? If the answer is “yes” you probably need a vacation. With the pressures of modern life it can however be rather difficult to get away, and organizing time off a busy schedule can sometimes be a real headache. Still with the right outdoor décor you can create the illusion of a luxurious tropical hideaway in your own backyard. All you need to create you very own exotic retreat is a luxurious design and planting scheme, with matching patio furniture and accessories to recreate the magic of proper vacation. With a bit of creativity you can have your own private Caribbean island, even if you have precious little spare time to indulge in its sanctuary.

Nowadays patio furniture sets come in all shapes and sizes, so you should be able to find just the right design and material to set out your deck in style. From classic lines to luxurious materials there is a set out there that is a testament to your taste in exotic travels and your love for the the finer things in life.

By selecting luxurious patio furniture and taking great care with the finishing touches of your design you can have your very own tropical haven in the garden. You need not have the time to go on a proper vacation to reap the benefits from an exotic break!

The luxury feel is not limited to the priciest items and sometimes a relatively cheap wicker set can be just the ticket to provide that touch of exotic, long-haul feel. It can be accessorized to great effect with vibrant soft furnishings like plump cushions, perfect for you to sink into for a moment of blissful relaxation. Weather resistant rugs can also successfully add style and warmth to your scheme. With a bit of creative flair you can bring out your taste for comfort and luxury to your outdoor entertaining area, yet still have a space that is easy to maintain and keep in shape. A water fountain is a great addition to further enhance the relaxing effect, and simple items such as wind chimes and candles will also go a long way in carrying the theme. If so inclined you can also look into building your very own tropical cabana where you can seek shelter from the sun’s harmful rays on hot afternoons.

Getting Creative With Your Outdoor Furniture

Patio furniture used to be just plastic lawn chairs and matching plastic tables but it has evolved since then. There is new outdoor furniture technology available and there are many new styles and materials to choose from, when planning what kind of patio furniture would suit you and your house. There are many types of outdoor furniture available, no matter what your budget is. Your personal taste needs to be taken into consideration, as does how often the patio furniture will be used and what kind of climate you live in. You need to think about how the outdoor furniture will be used, whether it is going to be used for dining, around a swimming pool or just a comfortable place to sit, relax and enjoy the sun. If you can choose something that looks good and matches your décor and surroundings, your friends and family will love visiting you and relaxing in your new outdoor garden furniture.

You could get, for example, a little bistro patio table or a larger one that can extend. It depends how many people live in the house but it is nice to have extra seating and tables in case you decide to have a party or some kind of outdoor celebration. Dining al fresco can be a lot of fun, whether the food is prepared on a barbecue or indoors then brought out. You can get a patio umbrella or awning for hot days where you want to enjoy being outside but do not want to burn in the sun. Or you could position the outdoor furniture so it is in the sun for most of the day and you can sit and relax and enjoy it. When you have the best patio furniture set you can find, something that looks great outside, you will definitely want to spend more time outside enjoying it.

How to Plan Your Outdoor Furniture

There are plenty of reasons to make sure you have the best patio furniture available to you. The right outdoor furniture will blend with your lifestyle and give you comfort and luxury. If you love your choice of outdoor garden furniture, you will want to use it more frequently. If the weather is beautiful and you only have uncomfortable patio furniture or none at all, you are going to waste all that lovely sunshine rather than be out there enjoying it. You can create your own personal space to relax in, using whatever patio furniture you like, perhaps a patio table and four chairs. Maybe a patio umbrella would finish off the effect and some plump cushions. Chaise lounges and patio rockers can add a quirky or stylish element to the finished design, depending on style and coordination. The patio furniture made today is created especially to be durable and look great for years to come.

Choosing the Right Style of Deck Patio Furniture

It is lovely to have a nice set of patio furniture available whenever you want to enjoy the outdoors. Many people work stressful jobs and have busy lives and coming home to enjoy nature and relaxing is something that is very important to encourage balance in our lives. Most people do not relax enough. You can choose from a comfortable patio furniture chair surrounded by pretty plants and scented foliage or a swing chair or rocker if you want to rock yourself into a better frame of mind while watching the world go by. You can mix and match both styles and even plan a water feature such as a outdoor fountain, to help set the tranquil mood. Outdoor fans and outdoor heating are both available to ensure you are comfortable even if the weather is a little too hot or a little too cool.There is no point in buying uncomfortable patio furniture just because it is cheap. It is well worth spending a little more to get the quality and comfort so important in outdoor garden furniture. If you are thinking of spending lots of time on the patio furniture, you will want something that looks good, matches your décor and is comfortable to sit in for hours. You should research exactly what you want, whether that is wrought iron or wood teak patio furniture, as your goal is ultimate relaxation and comfort.

All About Teak Wood Grades

Teak is an extremely dense [40lbs cuft when dry] coarse grained hardwood that is resistent to rust, rot, and termites. Teak wood is generally straight grained, but occasionally wavy. There are three grades of teak: A, B, and C with A being the highest quality. It has a coarse and uneven texture. Teak wood contains a high level of silica which causes rapid blunting of cutting edges. When fresh cut, the surface of the wood is dull in appearance, and the timber has a distinctive, pleasantly aromatic odor which has been likened to the smell of leather. Fresh sawn teak has a slightly ‘oily’ feel due to the high oil content. One of the most commonly quoted facts about the characteristics of teak is its durability. It is resistant to rot caused by fungal decay, and the high level of resinous oil present in the timber helps to act as a natural insect repellent giving the timber very high resistance to attack by termites and other wood boring insects. The timber is said to be resistant to water and many chemical reagents, including acids. It does not have a strong reaction when it comes in contact with metals. All these statements regarding the durability of teak are born out by the fact that we can see many instances of the timber which have withstood the test of time when used as key components in the boat building industry, or more sedately when used for making municipal furniture for our parks.

With all the online stores and retail outlets making claims about the quality of their teak wood used to make their teak furniture products.. How do you know how to determine if what you are paying for is really the grade generally accepted as ‘A’ grade Teak, or ‘B’ or ‘C’ grade teak? We have found outline below to be a very useful guide with respect to the quality and look & feel of the teak wood on teak furniture items you purchase.

Select: Grade ‘A’
No sap wood
No knot (live nor dead)
No black nature grain
Uniform in color
Uniform in grain (quarter cut)
No mirror (when the sun goes on wood, it will shine, on oak it like a shiny tiger mark).
No water grain
No pin hole
Zero defect

Nature: Grade ‘A’ or ‘B’
No sap wood
No knot (live is allowed 5%)
black nature grain is allowed
Uniform in color
Good grain (combination)
Small mirror is permitted.
Little water grain
No pin hole

Rustic: Grade ‘C’ sap wood
Generally, it is the lowest grade, on teak sometime factories uses chemical to manipulate it to look like ‘B’ ‘C’ grade.
Darker wood, grain is very clear and usually dark as well.

We hope you find this guide for buying Teak furniture products very useful. We have found this to be a very useful and objective tool for evaluating teak furniture products.

To Oil or Not to Oil Teak Wood Furniture

Teak wood has long been treasured for the beauty of its grain, golden color and timeless durability. Teak has been a favored material for use abroad ships and yachts and for use in outdoor furniture.

When teak patio furniture is exposed to the sun and weather, the natural oils migrate to the surface of the wood. The sun then oxidizes this oil and turns the surface a silver-gray color. Over extended periods of time this process depletes the wood of its natural oils causing surface roughness and checking (cracks along the grain of the wood) and the oxidized surface oil provides fertile ground for the growth and mildew and fungus. This process, along with the erosion caused by the wind and rain, will eventually make the surface dirty, unsightly and very rough to the touch.

Most authorities on teak denounce the use of teak oils. Because teak oil is usually solvent based, the use of such oils can actually destroy the natural oils in the teak wood. Also, once you begin using it, you will need to continue applications which can be as often as once per month. I also dislike the reddish colour you get after treating furniture with teak oil.

A much better option is to use a teak sealer. Teak sealer is extensively used in the yachting and marine circles. (If its good enough for marine type environment where the Teak wood is exposed to seawater, then imagine how good it really is!) It leaves the furniture a golden brown colour which is much more attractive and keeps the ‘expensive’ look of the teak. It is the only product I recommend to use on teak furniture.

There are a variety of “teak oils” on the market for the protection of teak which usually consists of linseed or tung oil mixed with mineral spirits. When first applied to the wood these oils impart a nice finish, but left outdoors teak oils wear away in weeks and require re-coating. With each re-coat, the oiled finish becomes darker and the surface becomes sticky and collects dirt. The organic waste from these oils provides a wonderful garden patch for the growth of mold and mildew. In a very short period of time the wood requires a complete re-cleaning.

If teak has been allowed to weather, the gray color and any mildew must be removed before finishing the wood. Prior to any application of teak sealer, you will need to clean the teak wood with washing and mild detergent prior to seasonal recoating with a teak sealer. This will preserve the teak in its natural state for many years.

I personally much prefer the silver colour teak eventually turns to. Remember it is not the same dull grey that you tend to see with cheaper furniture. It is much more vibrant silver then grey. With very light sanding to take the rough edge every few years, the furniture really looks beautiful.

All About Teak Wood Furniture History

Teak is a high-quality wood that retains its natural oils - prized throughout the world for its beauty and durability. Premium commercial grade A teak is the most sought-after tropical hardwood for prestigious furniture, shipbuilding and decorative use in construction. Indonesian exports of teak furniture approached US$800 million in 2001 and have grown every year since. Because of this demand, the market for teak in Indonesia is very well established and an important source of employment and income for the people of that country. Elephants are still used to haul teak from inland jungles to the waterways. Transporting teak has always been a difficult problem because of the heavy weight of the wood. The logs are so heavy they will not float. Instead the elephants drag the teak logs through the thick undergrowth in the rain forests. These forests are usually a great distance from the coast. The elephants have even been trained to stack the logs in even piles. And when a bell sounds to end the day, the elephants know to stop their work, without any human direction.

TEAK: A hardwood known to last a lifetime! Teak furniture made from quality Grade A teak has qualities unlike any other wood and is dense, rich in oil, almost impervious to splitting, buckling, and rot which makes teak wood termite proof. Teak has been prized for centuries as one of the worlds most durable and stable woods for outdoor use. Ever since ancient times, civilization has been aware of the long-lasting benefits of teak wood. Dutch shipbuilders first employed teak wood in manufacturing their sailing fleets because of its strong structural properties and resistance to insects and decay. For shipbuilders, the most important property of teak wood is its ability to prevent rust and corrosion when it contacts metal. Teak wood is extremely easy to work with, and its resistance to decay due to its natural retained oils after being cut has made it not only a popular timber tree, but also a valuable resource.

Characteristics of Teak: Teak is an extremely dense [40lbs cuft when dry] coarse grained hardwood that is resistent to rust, rot, and termites. Teak wood is generally straight grained, but occasionally wavy. There are three grades of teak: A, B, and C with A being the highest quality. It has a coarse and uneven texture. Teak wood contains a high level of silica which causes rapid blunting of cutting edges. When fresh cut, the surface of the wood is dull in appearance, and the timber has a distinctive, pleasantly aromatic odor which has been likened to the smell of leather. Fresh sawn teak has a slightly ‘oily’ feel due to the high oil content. One of the most commonly quoted facts about the characteristics of teak is its durability. It is resistant to rot caused by fungal decay, and the high level of resinous oil present in the timber helps to act as a natural insect repellent giving the timber very high resistance to attack by termites and other wood boring insects. The timber is said to be resistant to water and many chemical reagents, including acids. It does not have a strong reaction when it comes in contact with metals. All these statements regarding the durability of teak are born out by the fact that we can see many instances of the timber which have withstood the test of time when used as key components in the boat building industry, or more sedately when used for making municipal furniture for our parks.

In regards to shipbuilding, the main advantage of teak is its unique ability to prevent rust and corrosion when in contact with metal. It is said that the first outdoor teak benches were actually made of the decking from old sailing ships. The decking on these ships was in such good condition when the ships were about to be scrapped, the wood was recycled and remade into outdoor teak furniture. Public parks all over England are furnished with teak benches, some of which are nearly a century old! An outstanding material, teak continues to be a choice for boat materials even in this day and age. You can see this in the modern skiff at the right. The foredeck hatch consists of teak. More and more farmers, villages and communities in Indonesia, China, Puerto Rico, and other smaller countries are planting teak ( Tectona grandis ) trees as an investment for the future.

There are thousands of furniture-making enterprises in Indonesia. Jepara, one of the most important furniture-production districts on the island, had more than 3000 legally registered establishments in 2000. Additionally, up to 3 million unregistered establishments of all sizes probably exist, employing 6 million people or 6% of the total population of Java. These establishments are engaged in a range of livelihoods, with a significant number undertaking teak-related activities. The figure is further increased if we include Illegal cutting of teak in the wild. On a recent 2500 km trip through west Java, Julia Maturana, a researcher in CIFOR’s program on environmental services and sustainable use of forests, found privately owned teak plantations everywhere. “We saw a lot of teak growing in gardens with other useful species, as we expected,” she said. “But we also found large areas belonging to villages or communities dedicated just to teak. Several were very well managed, with good spacing and showing a considerable investment in labour and capital.” The State-owned company Perum Perhutani has 3 million hectares of forests and forest plantations in Java and dominates the teak market. And before 1998, private sales of teak wood were forbidden. Even now a private agent wanting to sell the wood needs at least three special permits. “Despite these disincentives, people have planted teak in their own gardens to supply their own requirements of wood, as a ‘savings account’ for their children and to use in special cases of need,” said Maturana. “Most of the plantings we saw were small and recent with trees ranging from 6 months to 5 years old. This suggests a new system is developing using new areas of land, adding to the already existing areas of teak.” Teak is an attractive long-term investment, with a first class 80-cm diameter log worth $830 a cubic metre in 2001. A fourth class log 4-7 cm in diameter brought $14 per cubic metre. “Chiefs of district forestry departments in west Java told us that the local people usually harvest teak early. The usual rotation period is 40 years or less,” said Maturana. “So privately grown teak is sold in local markets at 20-50 percent below the official price. Even so, it still represents an important but sporadic source of income for rural people.”

Despite constraints in market access and wood quality, the number of areas recently planted with teak shows it to be an attractive option for people’s investments. High market prices and a well-estab.ent, are attracting investment in teak plantations. Doors are open for rural agents because of the low capital requirements, for seeds and labour, that are mainly concentrated in the first 3 years. “But both of these are plentiful in rural Java areas,” said Maturana. Because of its slow growth cycle and the type of final products , teak wood plays an important role in soil and water conservation and sequesters considerable amounts of carbon. Maturana, with other researchers, has started researching the location and extent of privately managed teak plantations to understand their dynamics and the factors influencing their development. “We want to analyze these systems to understand their importance in the rural economy, their potential for wood supply and the kind of incentives needed to promote such systems,” said Maturana. Can these areas spread and become an important source of income for the people as well as an extensive, financially driven, reforestation effort? Is that even possible in an island with one of the highest population densities in the world? “How can we help this become a success story combining social, financial and ecological benefits?” asked Maturana. “This is the question donors, research institutions, governments and NGOs need to ask. We are working on it!”

Today teak is used principally in furniture, shipbuilding and in the construction of expensive boats and yachts. Currently, teak can be found on modern cruise ship decks, in parks, used as flooring, and as home outdoor furniture. Teak can be transformed into a unique style or more traditional & classic style peice of furniture. In the United States, teak benches, teak chairs & tables, and multiple teak accessories can be found throughout resorts, hotels, and parks. Teak steamer chairs can be found on almost every cruise ship worldwide and at most upscale resorts. This is an indication of the most popular uses of teak products today.

Enjoy All The Choices of Teak Patio Furniture

What would you say if somebody told you that they could sell you a set of patio furniture that would last you the rest of your natural life, and that you would never have to buy another set of patio furniture as long as you shall live? Chances are, you probably wouldn’t believe the person. If you have the trouble with traditional outdoor furniture that so many other Americans do, you can probably use the benefits of teak patio furniture. The wood is known to last up to 75 years without breaking, so if you are looking for a more permanent solution to outdoor seating, teak patio furniture is the only sensible option for you.

People understand now why teak patio furniture is such a popular option, but its plain and clear that teak patio furniture resists the elements very well and it lasts a long time, holding up a great deal of weight along the way. For those people who like to put a lot of wear and tear and use into their patio furniture, teak is for you.

One of the beauties of teak patio furniture is the value in how it stands up to the weather variations, and in spite of getting abused by mother nature, it doesn’t show water marks or takes on water damage. It can snow or freeze and thaw and melt and your teak furniture still keeps it comfort and beauty. The teak wood has a maturity about it that overcomes what ever the climate so desires to throw at it making teak patio furniture the perfect fit for patios across the midwest and mountain states.

Another popular feature of the teak patio furniture pieces out there is that they can hold a great deal of weight. There are many different types of teak patio furniture out there, but most of them are designed to withhold great amounts of weight and stress. Teak patio furniture is the only way to go if you want furniture that will hold up to everything you and your family can dish, without you having to replace a thing.

How To Build Your Own Wood Furniture Deck

Before beginning construction on your deck be sure to check with your zoning laws for regulations regarding your deck. Most deck projects will require you to get a permit.

Some good reasons to build your own deck would be to save some money by doing the work yourself. Another reason would be to add more value to your home, give your home a nicer look, have a great outdoor space to relax, and also have a nice spot to barbecue and entertain.

Before beginning you will have to figure out which tools you will need for this project. One of the most important tools you will need is some plans. Having some deck plans and following the instructions will make building your deck allot easier. If you feel you are not skilled enough to build your own deck, you should consider hiring a general contractor. It is a good idea to talk to some contractors and get about two or three estimates. Even if you plan to build the deck yourself, you can get an idea of the money you will save by building it yourself.

Always take your time when you are choosing the design and style for your deck. Make sure to think things through with some careful planning. Asking family and friends for their opinion is a great way to get ideas for the design of your deck. Looking at other decks is another way to come up with a design you might like. Seeing how other decks are built, and asking the homeowner questions can help you avoid mistakes when building your own deck.

The location of the deck can affect the way you use your deck. Take into consideration how the sun, wind, and other natural elements will affect how your deck will be used.

Natural elements such as the sun and moisture is the most common reason for damage to the deck. Applying sealer or stain to your deck is a good way to protect it. A good finish will repel water, and protect the wood from the suns UV rays.

The type of wood you choose for your deck is very important. This will decide how your deck will look, how long it will last, and how much money you will need to build your deck. Choose the best wood you can afford for best results. The most common lumber for building decks are pressure treated lumber, redwood, and cedar. When buying lumber give it a good inspection. By inspecting the lumber at the lumberyard one by one you can get the best boards possible. Hand picking the lumber will make your deck last longer, and it will also make it look more attractive.

By doing some research, and some careful planning, you will avoid mistakes and have a beautiful safe deck that will bring you and your family years and years of enjoyment.