Country style furniture.

Country furniture in the country theme decoration room

Country style is furniture model that refers to the past when the machines and tools to make furniture are still simple and incomplete.  The American country furniture style is referring to the furniture in America and 17th century, when the western peoples came to the new America land and began to open new society in here. The people were starting to build new life and still struggling with the wild nature and old way tradition of native peoples.  Furniture was made in a simple manner with the simple tools that were available. The peoples still concerned to the furniture as household products that mainly to fulfill its function and neglected its decorative factor as it is today.  
There still many people like the country style furniture today. Country furniture is the element to complete the country decoration that is still liked by many people. The longing of the modern society to the atmosphere of the past which is full with: rural, simplicity and nature could be the main reason why the country style furniture is still exist today.
The country furniture has evolved, and been developed, mixed and modified with various models. There are many model of country style: the English country, French country style furniture as well as the American country furniture. Each style may has its own characteristics, mixed with the model of the furniture at each area. But generally the country style is characterized with the: simple, nature, traditional and old looked. The country design impresses the atmosphere of: freedom, relaxed, rural, openness, natural and the “wildness from the past”.

country French furniture style

The country style furniture that is available at this time of course has more varied in shapes and colors. The woodworking technology now has enabled to build the products that was could not be made in the past. A variety of ornaments such as: carvings, hardware, or even inlay veneer can be added to the modern country furniture. Since most of the modern furniture is made with modern technology that produces the uniform and neat products, then the finishing is the primary tool to create the impression antic, rustic furniture or traditional looked that is required by the country furniture.

 Country England furniture style

The finishing for the country style furniture.
 
The modern country furniture is the product of the modern process which results to the: new, neat, uniform and tidy. While the country furniture should be looked: natural, old, traditional and handmade. To make the country furniture looked, then we need a special finishing technique and may be special tools and materials. We can mimic the old looked and with the distressing either with stain and glaze and the physically technique. The physical distress with many tools such as: rock, file, chisel, nail, or other special tools can be generated to make the old, damaged, and traditionally looked of the country furniture. There many stain and glaze application can be used to make the old and dirty looked of the furniture. There also some special finishing materials are made to form the impression of old looked such as: powder glaze or dusty wax, veiling lacquer, etc.

paint finish for country furniture finishing style

The finishing for country could be more "wild" then the antique finishing for the classic furniture. Many heavy distresses, and stain effect can be made to create the dirty and old, and broken looked furniture. The special effect such as: cow tail, dry brush and smudge effect are also can be applied on to make more dramatic old looked.

American country style furniture

Antique light gold mahogany finish.

In this article we want to share about the finishing process to make antique light mahogany color finish. It is light mahogany finish with some gold accent at some places as highlight and eye catching. The stuff we finished was a light holder made from mahogany wood that was carved in the form of mixed fruit ornament.

Here are the finishing processes step by step.

 the antique light mahogany gold finish

  1. Application of stain.

We wanted to make light color, so light stain was used. A light brown dye stain was sprayed evenly to the surface. Then we let for 2 about minutes to the let stain to dry. We do some highlight to the stain with steel wool to enhance the carved form of the ornament.

 the stain application

2. Wash coat application.

The wash coat was layered to protect the stain before glaze application. We used vinyl wash coat to coat and seal the stain. The Vinyl wash coat was sprayed to coat the overall surface evenly. We waited to the wash coat layer for about 15 minutes to let it dry. Then we sanded the wash coat layer with scotch brite.

 sanding the wash coat with scotch brite

3. Glaze application.

The glaze was applied to fill in and coloring inside the grain, pores, crevices and inside parts of the carving.  We used van dyke brown glaze to make the dark effects in the inside parts. Glaze was applied by brushed to the entire surface, then wiped clean with rag.  We let the glaze to dry for about 60 minutes. We did some highlight to add the life looked of the carving and ornamental.About how to apply the glaze, you may can go to our previous article: glaze application.

 the glaze application

4.1^st Sealer application.

After the glaze dry, then the next process was the sealer application. We used NC sealer to coat the glaze layer. The sealer was sprayed to the overall surface to make wet coat layer. Then we let the sealer layer for about 30 minutes to let it dried. After the sealer layer was dry, then we continued the process by sanding the sealer layer to make a smooth surface.   

5. Gold leaf application.

In this finish we added gold accent at some places to highlight the finishing appearance. The gold was not applied to cover the entire surface, but only at some parts as a highlight. Small brush was used to apply the glue for the gold leaf (gold leaf sizing). The glue was applied at some parts as highlight. We waited for about 15 minutes to let the glue dry. Then we attached the gold leaf to the glued parts. 
About how to apply the gold leaf you can go to our previous article: gold leaf application.  

 the gold leaf application

6. 2^nd sealer application.

After the gold leaf was stuck well, then we coated it  with the sealer layer to bind and protect the gold leaf. The NC sealer was d sprayed evenly to the entire surface and was let for about 30 minutes to let the sealer layer dry. Then we did sanding to the sealer with scotch brite as what we did for the first sealer to make smooth surface

6. Dry brush glaze.

We applied the second glaze to make more life and antique looked to the finishing. The glaze used was the same glaze with first glaze, and applied in the similar way. Glaze was brushed evenly over the entire surface but then we highlighted to enhance the finishing looked and generated more life impression to the finish. 

 the antique light gold mahogany finish

7. Top coat application.

Top coat is the last finishing layer. Top coat is function to give protection for the finishing underneath and to build the gloss of the finishing. We used NC top coat with medium gloss (45 sheen) for this finish. 45 sheen NC top coat was sprayed to coat the entire surface. We let the top coat layer to dry for about 45 minutes. And since we still got rough finish surface, then we sanded the top coat layer and apply one layer or top coat as final layer.
The result was an antic mahogany finish, with light color highlighted with some gold color in some parts.

Finishing cost calculation

The finishing cost has to be properly calculated in the wood furniture manufacturing. The finishing cost could be significant cost component in the process of manufacturing furniture. If we run a finishing shop, then the calculation of the finishing cost is the key to make profit. For some peoples the calculation and estimation of the finishing cost could be quite difficult. The finishing process has lot of variable that need to be considered. The finishing has a great variation from the simple to the complex. A simple finish might be able to be simply done and only need small finishing material with simple facility. While the complex finishing could be a complicated process, requiring a long time processing, high skill peoples and even special materials and tools. The difficulty in the finishing cost estimation is added with the fact that the wood is natural material that has very big variation properties. However, the calculation of finishing cost must be done correctly in the furniture manufacturer, furniture shop or finishing shop.
Actually the calculating to the finishing cost is not too difficult if we have enough experience in the finishing process. What we need to do is to make record for every finishing job we did. The record should include the type of and the amount of finishing material used, the processing time and the utility for the finishing process. The records will be very helpful to estimates the similar finishing processes. We also can do calculation to estimate the finishing cost. Basically the finishing cost is a technically matter that can be calculated if we can find the elements. The element of finishing cost are: the finishing materials, finishing utility and labor cost. 

Here are the steps that are needed to make the finishing cost estimation.

1  Finishing process.

The calculation of the cost of finishing should be started from the step to find the finishing process. We can start to make a step panel for matching a color panel standard or to develop new color finish. When we make step panel then we can find the finishing materials are needed and the process to be done. When we make a step panel we also need to consider the condition that may influence the finishing process such as: the condition of the unfinished good, the available facility, the shape of the product, the quantity, etc. Find our previous article : Step panel for furniture finishing.

2. Calculation of finishing material.

When the finishing process is set up, then we will be able to calculate the finishing material needed for each processes. The calculation is usually based for each square meter of finish surface area. To help calculate the material needed, we can use the spreading rate of finishing material table below.

the spreading rates of finish material in application

3. The calculation of the utility material.

In addition to the finishing materials, we also need to account the utility of materials needed. Do calculation for the utility and supporting material such as: washing thinner, sandpaper, cloth, rag, electricity, etc.

3. The calculation of labor costs.

Some finishing may can be done with a quick and easy process, but there are many complicated finishing process that take long time work. Therefore, we need to calculate the labor cost separately. The calculation of labor cost is calculated by estimate the working hour needed to do the process. Consider the complexity of the finishing process and the form and shape of the goods.

With the proper calculation then we can estimate the cost of finishing to a particular color finish. The calculations of point 1 and 2 are usually based for every square meter of finish surface. If we do calculation for project with many product, then we can multiply the cost per square meter with the surface finish area of the goods.
If we make calculation to propose a finishing project, then we need to add the profit factor and unexpected costs to the finishing cost proposed.

Press machine for woodworking industry.

Gluing process is very important in the woodworking industry. Almost all timber must through the gluing process in the woodworking industry to be used for various purposes. The timber logs are cut and cut dried to form board panel in certain thickness, wide and length when it used in the woodworking industry. The dry wood panel boards then are cut and glued together before to supply the machining process to make components for furniture or other products. The process of attachment of the wood pieces is always done by using glue. The pressing machine is needed to press and hold the wood pieces to keep them stayed until the glue is dry and a strong bond is formed.

The press machine is tasked to keep the wood remain close together during the hardening process of the glue. There are many types of press machines are used to help gluing wood. According to the process of the glue drying, then there are two types of the press machine; the hot press and cold press machine.

manual cold press for rotary clamping

Cold press machine.
 
Cold press machine is a machine press that is not equipped with a heater. The machine can only put pressure on the pieces of wood to keep them close together at the drying of the wood glue. There are some type of cold press machine according to the pressure is generated, hydraulic press, manual press or vacuum press.

Manual press is a machine that uses manually job to do the setting of the pressure to the wood pieces. There are 2 metal plates with holes to place some screws. The wood pieces are covered with glue, then arranged and clamped with the metal plate. The plats then are tightened and closed together by tightened the screws. Once the glue is dry and strong bond is established, then the plat are unscrew and taken off. It is the most simple laminating machine yet effective enough to help the process of gluing wood pieces. The pressing is determined by the screw tightening that is done manually. Therefore, the result is strongly influenced by the performance of people who do it.
The hydraulic press is more modern machine for laminated wood. As well as manual press, this tool has two plates to press the wood pieces attached, but the machine use hydraulic tools to suppress the iron plates. The hydraulic tool is more stable and reliable to make the pressure with more consistent work. The machines are available in various sizes and models. To make the big size panel board, then the machine with a large plate is needed, while the small size machine can be used to manufacture of laminated boards with a small size.
Vacuum press machine press work by using vacuum force to pull the pieces of wood that are being attached. Vacuum press however is not as strong as the hydraulic press or even manual press. These machines are specially used to attach the veneer on the small panels on uneven surfaces, when the hot press or cold press cannot be used.

hydraulic press

Hot press machine.
 
It is quite sophisticated machine press. This machine is equipped with a hydraulic press and the heater to heat the glue in the gluing process. This heat will speed up the drying process so that the gluing time can be accelerated. The gluing process that need about 30 minutes by using cold press can be done in about 5 minutes with the hot press machine.
The machine uses a hot plate to heat and press the wood pieces that are being attached. The metal plate temperature can be set according to the temperature needed by the gluing process. This machine is available in various sizes to do variety of wood gluing process. But the most widely used is for attaching wood veneer in the manufacture of plywood or wood veneered panels. The veneer sheets are coated with glue and attached with his core (mdf, particle board, laminated wood or other veneer sheet) put in a mat and then pressed and heated by a plate on top to obtain a strong bond. Hot press is the most effective tool for making panel boards with big size; long, large and wide panel. But since it use flat and rigid metal plate, then the tool has limitation to do the gluing process to make flat panel board.

The bubble problem in the veneer

Bubble veneer, lifting veneer, or loose veneer is the problem that is often encountered in the veneering process.  It is caused by the wood veneer that does not stick properly to its core. The Bubble veneer can appear very much and become big problem to the veneer surface. The veneer bubble will be more visible if the wood veneer is finished. The bubble part will be cut off when it is sanded and seem as white wood. The bubble is more obvious when the veneer is laid at the flat and big panel especially when the high gloss finish is generated. But even for the low sheen finished, the bubble is still be problem,

Although the bubble is caused by improper gluing process, but the bubble problem is often found in the finishing process. The bubble veneer is appearing when the veneer surface has been coated with finishing materials. Sometimes bubble may be visible on the stain application, but often the bubble appears at the sealer application. And in this state the process of repairing will always damage the existing finishing layer. The action to fix the bubble must be followed by the process of washing off the finishing layer and the re finishing process. It can be considered as wasting of finishing material and time. Then it will be much better if we can do the right veneering process to minimize the bubble problem.
 
Here are some tips to avoid the bubble veneer.

• Use good quality glue.

Glue is a substance that attaches the veneer to its core; the quality of bonding is determined by the quality of glue. Choose the good quality and proper glue to attache the veneer to the cores. We may do some testing to find the glue with the best results. Do a proper mixing and stirring to mix glue according to the instructions of that is recommended by the supplier. Check the condition of glue physically; make sure he's still in good condition. The glue to the veneering usually is a two components type which must be mixed in the proper mixed before it used.

• The proper application.

There are many types of glue that may require different application. The veneering process is usually done by hot press machine, since that the glue used must be type that can be dry quickly with the heating process. Make sure we are fulfill the condition needed such as: temperature of the press, the drying time, the pressure, the thickness of the glue layer, etc.. 
Prepare the surface properly; blow and clean the veneer and core form any dirt. The solid particles, chemicals or oils will interfere with attachment of the glue.

• The moisture content of veneer and the core

Most of the wood adhesive are water based. The water in the glue will wet the surface of the core and veneer, before it evaporates to leave a dry and strong bonding. The veneer sheet is usually has dry when we purchased, if we use mdf, particle or plywood then they are also marketed in the dry condition.  But the weather in the time of veneering process may raise the moisture content. Then make sure we to always check the moisture content of the cores and the veneer when we do veneering. If we use the laminated board as the core, then a proper sanding is also needed to make sure that the core surface is even.

• Recognize the type of wood veneer used.

The veneer is the wood product that has variety properties and character. Some types of wood may require special treatment. For example the rosewood veneer contains some oil that may interfere the gluing process. Clean the oil with acetone to minimize the oil form the rosewood veneer. (rosewood veneer for furniture) Some other veneer such as: burl or crotch is tough and brittle that make the veneering is rather difficult. We may need to use some special chemical to soften the brittle and tough veneer. ( walnut burl veneer)

PVAC glue for wood furniture.

PVAC (poly vinyl acetate) glue is one of the adhesive that is most widely used in the woodworking industry. The glue is made from the polyvinyl acetate, the same material to make plastic. The PVAC glue is safe, non-toxic material, easy to be used with good gluing result. It is water based, that uses water as its main solvent, so he is very safe, non-toxic and very easy to be handled. This glue is the one component, make it is very easy to be handled, storage and used. It is dry with evaporation of his water, and when he is dry he will harden and produce a strong thermosetting bonding. Soon it is dry it won,t be dissolved with water or solvent, then it can be finished without the less risk off the glue dissolving. It is widely used to unify wood pieces in the: laminating process, finger joint and the assembling. With the right process, then it would constitute very strong bond. 

Since it is water based then it takes longer time to dry. The drying time is varying depend to the solid content and the type of the glue usually is varying from 30 minutes to 1 hour.  During it is drying, the unified wood pieces must be hold and pressed to keep tightened. The pressing apparatus or machine either the automatic or manually is needed in the application.

The PVAC glue can also be used to form the texture effect in the wood finishing.  PVAC glue can be used alone or mixed with latex paint and be applied as the texture paint.  

 the wood pieces are laminated and pressed

Here are some tips to use the PVAC glue

• Read and check the technical data and specifications of the glue

There are many suppliers of PVAC glue, each of them may offer their strong advantages and superiority, but each of them also may need special treatment.  Therefore, when we are going to use the glue, we must have read the technical data and specifications as well. Follow the instructions of how to use of the product. We need to read the data about the recommended concentration, pressure, and drying time required. Every wood species often has different properties and require a different process. Check the instruction of use according to the wood species if any. We may need to do some trial to get the best result.

• Moisture content of wood

PVAC glue uses water as a solvent, and the water will wet the wood surface when it is applied. The water must evaporate and go to make the glue dry and hard. To make the drying of the glue is done faster, then the wood pieces have to be dry. The water in the wood could make the glue to be thinner and may reduce the strength of the bond generated.
Wood also will shrink and swell when its moisture content changes. Since that, the wood pieces that are glued and unified need to have uniform moisture content. Too high variation in the moisture content is risk to create too much wood movement and make the crack or delaminating of the wood.

• Clean the glue excess at the surface.

When we applied the glue, there may some glue excess at the wood surface. The glue excess has to be cleaned since it will disturb the finishing material absorption. See our previous article: Glue splotches problem in the furniture. The glue excess will harden and difficult to be cleaned when it is dry. Then we better clean the glue when it is still wet. Use a wet cloth and wipe off the glue excess when it is still wet. Make sure the glue is left only inside the wood and there is no glue splotches at the wood surface.

• PVAC glue is not suitable for outdoor use.

Although when he is dry he become thermosetting and hard, but the PVAC glue is not strong enough for exterior uses. It is not recommended to do gluing process for outdoor product.

Louis XV style furniture.

Louis XV cabinet

Louis XV style furniture is the model that refers the France furniture at the 1730-1770 when Louis XV was king of the Kingdom. It is the distinctive style which is the beginning of a typical model of France furniture.The rococo was still appearing, with much modification. The shape was dominated with the curved and rounded; while the straight line was avoided as much as possible. The rococo featured in the ornamental and looked. Ornamentation was carried in the fantastic combination. The surfaces were filled with gilt, carving, painting, ormolu, or parquetry to eliminate the plain surface. Many furniture was finished with the varnish that has been invented and started to be used for finishing the wood.

Louis XV table

The chair could be show the most interesting shapes.Ornamental decorations adorn many parts, with curled endive leaf, shell and twisted scroll.  Cabriole legs were used, eliminating the straight forms. The sharp corner was replaced by the curved and waved form.  

 Louis XV commode

The Louis XV style furniture is the classic style that still popular today. Many Louis style XV with many modification is still available in the furniture market. The style is also still used as the reference by the designer to make furniture. 

 Louis XV style chair

Louis XV style table

Teak wood (indoor) furniture

antique teak sink table

Teak wood has been very popular in the woodworking industry since very long time ago. The wood has ideal properties to be used in the woodworking industry; it is durable, easy to be machined and has attractive appearance. The teak wood is widely used for making frame house, decking and furniture. The teak for indoor furniture is quite lot although not as much as outdoor furniture. The high price of the wood teak and indoor furniture specification that does not need the strong wood, makes many options wood can be used for indoor furniture. 

rustic teak furniture 

The indoor teak furniture is premium product with a high price. However, of course the teak for indoor furniture will be very nice product. The teak wood naturally has a very attractive appearance by its grain and base color. With proper selection of design, model and color then the interesting furniture products will be generated. For indoor uses, the higher flexibility of design and looked can be made. The teak veneer also can be used to indoor teak furniture. With the proper setting and arrangement, it will produce furniture with could be more attractive then the solid wood furniture, and of course the cheaper price.

teak wood console table with natural finish

Tips to buy the teak wood furniture.

Now, we have been very spoiled by the furniture industry. Various types and models are available so we can choose the furniture that best suits to our desire. We also can order the furniture with special models. We can also get the teak furniture easily. Jepara is one of the furniture industry center in Indonesia that providing lot of teak wood furniture. We can come to the furniture stores that provide furniture products with various models that can be directly bought and carried. We can also make order to get special model. If we need large amount furniture product, then we can come to the furniture factories which are willing to work on big amount order.

 teak side table with oil finish

• Check the moisture content of wood.

All the wood products always need the dry wood, including the teak wood furniture. Many teak woods are from the resident plantations that may be not a well processed and managed. The teak wood furniture could be manufactured by home industry that does not have oven drying facility. Because of that, the moisture content could be the big problem. Make sure that the furniture we bought is made by using the dry wood. If we order large quantities, then we are better to deal with the reputable supplier.

• Veneer or solid wood.

There is an option to use the teak veneer instead of solid wood. The solid wood furniture is generally having higher price than the veneer. Veneer also provides flexibility in setting and arrangement so it can produce more attractive appearance. But solid wood products provide benefits as a natural product that has more value. This solid wood furniture could be an investment, because someday it could be antique stuff that has very high value.

• The model and finishing

Teak wood furniture can be made in various style and color finishing. But of course the models should be able to explore the natural beauty of teak wood. The furniture with simple models is the best choice because it will enhance the natural beauty of the wood. Furniture that is too complex or busy appearance can be made with other wood.
There are also many choices of colors and finishes can be used for the teak furniture. But of course we need to choose the type of finishing that can enhance the beauty of wood grain and basic color. Teak wood also has a golden brown base color that is very interesting. The natural color finish with clear coating application or oil finish will give the nice and interesting looked. Finishing with transparent color with variety of models and color and also produce furniture with an attractive appearance. For indoor uses, almost all kinds of wood finishing materials can be used. NC, AC, PU or water based can be used with very good performance results. We can also use the traditional finishing materials such as shellac, varnish, wax or oil finish.
Solid colors or a wash color finish that uses thick pigment should be avoided, because of the risk to get problems with the oil inside the wood. The solid colors will also be cover and kill the beauty of wood that should be maximally enhanced as the hallmarks of this wood.

Night stand furniture.

high gloss night stand

Night stand, nite stand, nakas, side table or bed side table is one of the furniture for bedroom. Night stand is a small table or a small cabinet that is placed beside the bed. In a big room, the 2 night stands can be mounted in the right and the left side of the bed. Night stand is used as place to put the sleeping supports such as: lights, drinks, food, telephones, and vases or other souvenir. Night stand is also featured with drawer or self as a place to store other support bedtime stuff such as: books, radios, tape recorders, etc.

Now the night stand can be designed with wide choice of models and sizes. This time the stuff s for support sleep has a much smaller size and compact. The mobile phones, kindle, mp 3 player, are have small size with fully entertainment functions. Even the food and drink now are available in bottles or small packets that are no longer takes place as before. Thus the night stand can be designed with unique and special model to maximize its aesthetic function.

antique night stand

 
The models of the night stand are usually according to the model and the shape of the other bed room furniture sets. As indoor furniture that is placed in the room, the night stand can be made with wide range substrates choices. Night stand can be made from: wood, engineered wood, wood products, synthetics or natural materials. The combination solid wood with plywood veneer is most used. In the furniture industry, the night stand product is made as a set together with the other bed room furniture: bed, dresser, armoire, dresser, desk, television, etc.
Wide range of finishing materials can be used to finish the night stand. NC finish can be used with a variety of finishing effects can be generated. Other finishing materials such as water base, PU, ​​AC or traditional finishing materials such as: varnish, shellac or wax oil finish materials can also be used. It is placed inside the room then it is quite safe and does not need special finish material.  This product is also relatively less to get physical abuses, so more colors and appearance can be used.

simple nite stand

Tips to buy the night stand.

1. Choose the size according to the room

Night stand is thing that will fill the room and took place in the room. Then he should be able to enter the room while providing comfortable situation in our room. In a big bedroom, a “big” night stand may can be placed, in the hotel room then 2 or even more night stand can be filled in. But for a small room, we should choose a small night stand. Make sure that the existence of nite stand in the room does not make the atmosphere of the room to be “too full”  and uncomfortable.

2. Consider the usefulness of the nite stand.

The night stand is furniture that bought to be used, then we must still consider the usefulness of night stand. Estimate the goods that will we put and placed on and then choose the model and the form that best suits. The furniture industry today has been providing a wide range of models and shapes night stand that we can choose according to our need. There are also many woodworking shops that are available to make a night stand with model and special sizes to suit our needs.

3. Choose the appropriate model.

Nite stand is usually sold as a part of bed room furniture such as: bed, dresser, armoire, dresser or desk. Therefore the model and finishing night stand usually according to the model of the other furniture bed. But we can also buy a night stand itself apart from other products. However when we decide to buy the night stand, then we still have choose the model and appearance to suit our tastes. Choose a night stand with the shape and appearance that matches to the theme and decoration of the room. As a small items stuff, then the night stand can also be made special with a unique and special model as eye catching room.

 hand painted night stand

How to care the night stand.

 
Same with the other goods, the nite stand also need well treatment to be last longer. Night stand is an indoor product that can be simply maintained. It is also relatively less got physical abuse, so it should be stay longer and used in long time. What we need to do is just clean the night stand every day from the dust. Some time we can use the cleaning liquid or wax to clean the finish. Do not forget to sweep and clean the pit under the night stand because it often collect lot of dust and dirt that can be unhealthy.