Shopping for furniture can be a lot of fun, but it can also take a lot of time to find the piece or pieces that are perfect, and perfectly fit your style and the style of your home. Not all furniture is created equal, and there are a great many of things to consider before you take the plunge and decide on one particular piece of furniture over another. If you are shopping at furniture stores, this can take a very long time to drive to and browse the showrooms. When you add the cost of fuel into your search, you may be losing quite a bit of money on your furniture search.
In today’s day and age, furniture shopping is much more affordable and efficient through online means. Some of these online purveyors have easy access to online galleries and even will tell you which items are in-stock, and which items have additional options to consider. Below are some of the best online destinations we have found to get your furniture shopping done.
One of the largest online stores for furniture, Furniture From Home is a great shopping destination, has great customer service, and offers international shipping.
Big’s Furniture is extremely affordable, they will price match if you find items anywhere else for less, and are always offering deals, rebates, and sales.
http://www.beckerfurnitureworld.com/
Becker Furniture is based out of Minnesota and has wonderful styles of furniture, they offer tax discounts and free delivery, and have great customer service.
http://www.puritanfurniture.com/
This website is probably our favorite due to the unique and rare pieces that you can find here. Connecticut’s largest furniture store, the company’s store showroom is actually over 5 acres, all filled with gorgeous furniture.
Moving a piece of furniture (especially a valued or fragile piece) has been a task of human beings for as long as we have had a history. Getting a piece (whether it is a piano, a table, a bench, a bed, or even an antique building) from point A to point B has gone through many changes in the past few-thousand years. As recently as a century and a half ago, furniture items would have to be carefully taken out of a house, and then precariously loaded onto a horse-drawn buggy. Next the furniture piece would have to endure a long and slow trip on bumpy and jolting dirt roads that were often little more than a dirt line through the countryside.
Sometimes, the journey would continue further, and the piece would be hoisted high into the sky and dropped into the bowels of a steam-powered liner, where the furniture would be secured from the bashing of waves and rocking of the decks. Other times, the piece might have to continue its journey by train, which in the 19th century was far from a smooth ride. Another long and frazzling buggy ride would then take the piece to its new destination.
For families in the 1800s, every single piece of furniture, clothing, collectibles… Literally, all possessions were antique, valuable, and quite fragile. But in those days, people weren’t as worried about items getting damaged during a move. Because the items were so valuable to them, every precaution was taken to ensure the pieces safe journey.
2013 – A lot has changed in 150 years. Today, our buggies have been replaced with state of the art transport trucks that have a multitude of safety options to keep furniture and possessions tied-up and secured. The tires and suspension on these trucks (as well as the highly-maintained roads we have today) should be more than enough to keep all of our favorite furniture and items safe during a move. However, as anyone who has moved in the past 50 years knows all too well, more shipped goods get damaged today, than those hundreds of years ago. This is due to a few reasons.
Patience (or lack thereof)
In modern times, we have had to adjust to a very rigorous schedule in our day-to-day lives, this has diminished our sense of patience – as individuals and as a society. Whereas a quick move across the country would have taken 3-6 months 150 years ago, today it can be done in 2-3 days. This quickening of pace may be much more reasonable for us today, but should remind us to pay a little extra attention to exactly how shipped items are packed and secured.
Cheap Products
Products made 150 years ago, compared to those made today, were made exponentially heavier. Using heavier building materials such as cast-iron, oak wood, steel, and other materials that have great inherent strength, these older items may have been a tougher job to lift and move, but they were also built stronger. A well-built product can withstand more torment than a cheaply built one, and will not see the types of damages as modern products.
Laziness
Moving furniture is hard work, and not a lot of fun. When forced into moving furniture, you might get a little antsy or upset, asking yourself, “when will this be over with?” Don’t get lazy on yourself now, or your prized furniture will suffer the consequences. Take a little extra time with each article, add extra blankets in between items that can scratch each other, and think about how secure those items are from rocking side to side, as well as back and forth. Items such as pianos — or other pieces with moving parts — almost always require extra attention and planning before a move, so consider all of these things before loading onto a truck – this will save you a lot of hassle and time and money.
So to keep your furniture protected during a move, and put yourself in the shoes of those who had to move during the 1800s. This will keep you reminded of just how much securing needs to be done, that you can’t just throw everything in there and hope it will be okay. Use some planning, and your antiques and treasures will make it through the trip in one piece.
Modern society is currently looking for new ways to achieve a “greener” future. Ideas are being brought up about switching from dirty fossil fuels to clean-burning fuels, anything plastic or metal or glass is being recycled, and even our phones and old electronics are being recycled after they become obsolete. In one particular industry, however, we have slid backwards in “going green” and are actually becoming more wasteful.
The furniture industry hit a big boom along with the new housing boom that started in the 1990s and ended with the dire economic times that peaked in 2007. During this time, “faux” furniture styles were the biggest selling furniture styles. These types of furniture styles were quickly manufactured on an assembly line, had little to no custom adornments, and looked very plain. These plain furniture items were far from the heavy, solid, ornate furniture styles we had seen from the 1600s to the Late 1900s. The faux furniture pieces were quickly built with cheap materials, and put on showrooms for low prices. The only downside to these affordable furniture pieces and sets is that you get what you paid for… Most of these pieces and sets have either broken, been damaged, have scratches, need glues and other hardware, or they simply are ugly and not worth keeping.
For centuries, wooden furniture was held in very high regard. Furniture pieces were built with the heaviest and finest woods, and were made to last centuries with only minimum maintenance. In these olden times, it was not out of the ordinary to have a table, or chair, or bed, or desk in your family for 19 generations. Today, the furniture being built is extremely cheap, and only made to last 5-10 years (If you are lucky). Even if you wanted to save and restore these items, they are made mostly of particle board or medium density fiber board (MDF Board), which is nearly impossible to refurbish, and is not worth the cost.
So, if you and your furniture want to go green, you are left with only one option anymore, and that is to find antique furniture and have it refurbished, and give it the maintenance it needs to last centuries as your descendants pass on these treasures.
Refurbishing and maintaining old pieces of furniture is not as difficult or costly as one might think. As a matter of fact, it is much more affordable than planning on spending $500 – $2000 for new furniture every 5 years. There are so many woodcrafters and artisans around the world that know all too well the points trying to be made by this article: We waste furniture. With their passion for the craft and heritage of real handmade furniture, they will be very inclined to refurbish any antique or solid-built furniture piece you find – at a great rate.
So before you take your furniture shopping to Wal Mart, or Ikea (no, this furniture is not solid-built), try and spend some time looking for a strong piece of furniture that a refurbishing professional can make your own, and plan to simply maintain with light oils and basic adjustments. You will be happy that not only are you making the world greener for your children’s children’s children, but you are also leaving them a family heirloom that they can enjoy for themselves, and may never have to shop at Ikea.
Looking into Utah Antique Furniture Restorations? Is your family heirloom a valuable antique crying out for professional restoration services? While only an expert can knowledgably appraise your furniture, there are some easy ways you can determine if what you have is a true antique. Follow the hints below, and of course, when it comes to Refinishing Old Furniture Utah, you can trust the experts at Freemont Furniture Co.
The most obvious giveaway to antique furniture is the joinery – or the places where wood pieces are joined together. Machine-cut furniture wasn’t available until 1860. If the piece in question has drawers, pull one out and closely examine the points where the front and back are fastened to the sides. If a joint was dovetailed by hand, there will only be a few of them, and they won’t be totally even. If your piece has many dovetails and they are immaculately spaced and cut, that would indicate that this work was done by a machine – and that would date your piece to sometime after 1860.
Now examine the bottom, sides, rear of the drawer. If you find straight nicks, cuts or saw marks, it’s probably a very old piece, but if the marks you see are round, that means the wood was cut with a circular saw, making it more recently built.
Pieces can also be dated by their finish. Shellac was at one time, the only clear surface finish available. Modern varnish wasn’t created until the mid-1800s. If your furniture is shellacked, oiled or waxed that probably means it was built before then. To test if your own piece, dab a hidden spot with denatured alcohol; if the finish dissolves, that means it’s shellacked.
Evenness is another sign that your piece was made by a machine. The rungs, slats, spindles, and rockers on handmade furniture are rarely symmetrical. Antiques were never perfectly cut, because they were made by hand. Newer pieces are even and square, because they are cut on machines.
Now identify the wood that your piece is built from. Furniture built before 1700 is most often made from oak, while furniture made later was often created from mahogany and walnut. In North America, pine has always been commonly used, due to its availability.
If you’ve examined your piece and determined it’s not a priceless antique, but rather just a piece you simply love, look no further for your Utah Furniture Restoring needs.
Worried about moving your antique or refurbished wood furniture Utah? Whether it’s a room-to-room move, or cross-country, you’ll want to read our tips for making sure that your investment gets where it needs to go safely. Having a transfer plan will avoid costly and upsetting damages.
Before handling any antique or refurbished furniture, always check for loose or damaged joinery. Chairs should only be carried by the seat rails – never the backs, top rails or arms. Tables should be lifted by the apron or legs rather than the top which could pull loose from the base. Also, before moving remove shelves, doors and drawers. Marble tops and glass should be removed prior to moving and stored and transported vertically.
Large items should be transported on their back or top, rather than their legs – especially during long haul vehicle transport.
When moving an antique, wrap with several layers of protection such as a variety of bubblewrap, thin foam wrap, cardboard, shrink wrap and mover’s blankets. Go slow – quick moves often lead to damage.
When padding antique furniture pieces with legs, start at the top and then drape with more pads to tape around the legs. Padding on furniture without legs should start with bottom pads and be draped upwards. Be sure that all pads are tightly secured so that they can’t break loose. Use mover’s plastic tape to secure the paddings but never allow the sticky side of the tape to touch the finish.
When moving furniture with wooden casters or delicate claw feet, if possible remove and reattach when placing in the new location.
We hope these tips will save your furniture from needless damage. If it’s too late and your Refurbished Wood Furniture Utah has already been nicked or damaged during a move, we can help restore it to its former glory.
Whether you’ve invested in professional Utah antique restorations, or are just looking for ways to care your precious antiques, there are many things you can do to extend the life of your furniture.
First and foremost, applying polishes can dramatically alter current and future value. The old wives tale that antique furniture needs to be slathered with oil to keep from drying out is untrue. Wood does not dry out from a lack of oil. Furniture oils may give a temporary, enhanced appearance, but oils leave a residue that attracts dust and cause build-up. The very best way to maintain a luxurious finish, is by applying a thin coat of a high-quality paste wax. Paste wax protects without permanently altering wood. Wax may harm surfaces with a deteriorating finish though, so if you have any doubts about the condition of your furniture, consult our Utah Furniture Restoring experts for advice on your particular situation.
Another danger to your furniture which is often overlooked, is the environment in which it is stored or displayed. UV light is the enemy of antique furniture. Sunlight eats away at finishes, wood and especially fabrics. Store antique furniture away from direct sunlight, and diffuse light with curtains whenever possible. Temperature and humidity swings can also have a negative effect furniture, so avoid areas in front of vents, radiators and fireplaces. Heat can cause shrinking which loosens joints and inlays, while high humidity can cause mold growth or insect infestation.
Speaking of insects, wood and upholstery make inviting homes. Powderpost beetles eat their way along the grain inside wood furniture and leave bore holes upon maturity when exiting. If you see fine sawdust appearing under your furniture, get your pieces down to a company experienced in Utah antique furniture restorations right away so that infestations can be controlled before major damage is done.
Care of antique furniture can have a dramatic effect on longevity. If you have a piece you feel is already damaged, and are considering Refinishing Old Furniture Utah, consult our restoration experts to recapture your furniture’s original beauty.
When deciding on Utah furniture restoring you might ask yourself, “Is this piece worth refurbishing? Well, the answer is yes. Whether the furniture in question is a valuable antique, a vintage collectible or just a family heirloom with sentimental value – in all three cases, refinishing can bring any furniture back to life, but it never hurts to know what it is you’ve got on your hands.
Antique
To be classified as antique, a piece must be at least 100 years old. This is the definition accepted by experts, even those who appear on popular appraisal television shows. Some dealers claim that anything over 50 years old is an antique, but if you’re looking to make a hefty sale, you’ll find that most set the standard at a century old or more. Here at Utah antique furniture restorations, we understand the level of expertise which goes into restoring antiques, while still retaining their value.
Reproduction
To make matters even more confusing, there are antiques which were originally made as reproductions. Reproductions are furniture built in the style of antique pieces. During the 1870s and 1880s, reproductions of Colonial era furniture were very popular. Now, these pieces are technically antiques but they started out as reproductions. During the 1930′s, French Provincial style pieces were in vogue. Because these were reproductions, not originals they now fall in the “vintage” category. Oftentimes, reproduction furniture is of higher quality than antiques!
Collectible
Collectibles are objects less than a hundred years old which have a speculative value. When demand is high, collectible pieces will fetch a high dollar amount. When demand is low, you might not even be able to give the same piece away for free.
Vintage
Furniture is classified as vintage when it is generally regarded as classic – with demonstrated enduring appeal. For example, today, Mid-Century Modern furniture is both vintage and collectible, but not antique.
Used
If a piece of furniture is not antique, collectible or vintage, it is simply considered used. Just because it doesn’t carry a label such as “antique” doesn’t mean it isn’t of value. Whether you’ve got an ancient antique or just an old family favorite that needs care, when you seek Utah furniture restoring, look for a company that takes great care and pride in their work, regardless of the market value of the piece.
Many people enjoy collecting antiques and displaying them throughout their home. Because antiques can become easily damaged, many people use the services of a Utah antique furniture restorations company. This can make it possible for favorite furniture pieces to be repaired so that they look as good as new.
As antiques are passed down from one family member to another, they encounter normal wear and tear. This can also be the case with furniture that is purchase at yard sales, flea marketing, and antique shops. While the furniture piece may look special and historical, some individuals choose to make some changes in order to preserve the natural look of the furniture. This can be a great way to make sure that the piece of furniture fits in with the look of a home. This is why many people take advantage of Utah furniture restoring companies in order to improve their furniture.
A furniture repair Utah company can also help make a piece of furniture more useable. In some cases, a piece of furniture may have broken pieces or unsafe parts that make it challenging to use. A repair company can do repairs such as sanding and additional piecework in order to not only make the antique look better, but also function better. This can make a homeowner more happy because he or she will be able to take advantage of the antique.
If you are worried about preserving the look of your antique, you should have no fears about working with a trusted wooden furniture repair in Utah company. This is because professional repair companies have experience preserving each antique so that it retains some of its original beauty and look. Professional repair men and women are able to craft each piece of work in a way that allows it to look even better while also keeping some if its original beauty.
If you are wondering how to repair wood furniture in Utah, you should know that it is not a simple fix that you can attempt on your own. You may make the mistake to repaint the antique in a way that damages to the piece of furniture and makes it unusable. It can also be difficult to correctly make repairs that include woodwork and sanding. Do not attempt to do work that should be done by a professional. Instead, work with a Utah furniture repair company so that you get the results that you are looking for.
If you have collected antiques and are looking for a way to repair and improve your furniture items, consider working with a Utah antique furniture restorations company. With professional help, you will be able to have furniture that looks great and functions in all the ways that you are looking for.
You may want to know how to fix wood furniture in Utah if you have inherited some old pieces from a relative, or if some pieces in your own home have seen better days. Nowadays there is an increased emphasis on going green, so you may be interested in understanding how to repair wood furniture in Utah in an eco-friendly way. Wood is a precious resource given to us by mother nature, and we should preserve it and treasure it, not regard it as a throwaway item.
The pieces you have inherited may need restoring or just refinishing. A piece requires refinishing if there are deep gouges and cracks going down to the wood, or if there are unsightly patches where the finish has flaked off. If this is the case, you need to understand about refinished furniture in Utah. The first step in refinishing is to remove the old finish, and to do this in an eco-friendly way, you need to find removers that are not lye or methylene chloride based, so that they do not give off the toxic fumes that the old strippers did. You can then sand down the wood, and apply your new stain. If you are painting instead of staining, you need to make sure you use low VOC paints, such as those from Bioshield, who manufacture their paints from renewable resources.
If it is an antique piece, it will probably need more than just applying new stain. An important part of Utah antique furniture restorations is making sure the piece is protected from future wear and tear. The most effective way to do this is to apply several layers of polish – but avoid using traditional polishes, which contain toxic materials. Best of all is a beeswax polish, which will turn your piece of furniture into a thing of beauty.
Utah furniture restoring can involve more than refinishing and polishing. It can include dealing with all the blemishes and signs of wear and tear that have defaced the item over the years – or centuries. For instance, in order to fix wood furniture in Utah, you may need to repair cracks, splits, burn marks or water marks, or replace missing pieces like pulls or handles. Ideally, of course, the aim is to restore the piece to its original condition, but if this is not possible, you are aiming to make it fully functional and attractive to look at.
Utah furniture restoring really helps the environment. Every time you restore a piece of furniture, you avoid the demand for a replacement piece of timber, and so help to conserve the forests. You can do this too by ensuring you use reclaimed wood for every new piece of furniture you want to make for yourself. This will help to preserve the outdoors for future generations.
Antique furniture was created many years ago from beautiful old trees. These resources must not be discarded, but cared for through Utah antique furniture restorations. They will not only beautify our homes, but help us preserve the beautiful trees we still have.
It’s easy to get caught up in accumulating things. In a world like ours where advertisements for stuff can follow us even to the bathroom, it can be very hard to avoid the temptation to just buy now and buy more later. Everything becomes replaceable and easy to throw away and having a home can just be this race to redecorate even when the furniture isn’t even that old yet.
There is nothing wrong with buying things, but the continuous cycle of buying temporary things can become a source of stress, not to mention a financial hole that will need to be filled constantly. Investing in pieces that will last is a more practical and ultimately more rewarding experience. Buying durable pieces that can be passed on can be rewarding; committing to owning permanent possessions is good for the environment (less waste) and it can propagate the wonderfully sentimental process of passing on and maintaining family heirlooms.
For beautiful classic pieces, look for refinished furniture in Utah. Big pieces like dining tables or desks usually have a history behind them and having them restored can be like bringing back a piece of the past. Wooden furniture in particular has a lot of character and can really make a difference in a room.
For unique furniture, Furniture Restorers in Utah can be your best friend. They can take a beat-up wooden table and put the shine back into it in such a way that it can become a show piece. They can even Restore Leather Furniture to its former glory with environment-friendly solutions.
Instead of throwing away old furniture, try to fix them up first. Many antique shops and professional restorers Fix Wood Furniture in Utah. As long as a piece has a great structure and is made from quality material, it can be fixed, even when it looks like it’s ready to retire. For pieces that have history and character, flea market finds can be easily brought back to sparkling life with Furniture Repair Utah. Missing parts can be replaced and the surfaces can be sanded down. If a piece speaks to you or seems to have a potential, give it a chance to live again and have it restored.
A lot of good pieces go to waste simply because owners don’t know how to take proper care of them. Wood and leather in particular can need a lot of care. Exposure to direct sunlight and heat can make the leather fade or even deteriorate. Harsh cleaners and polishes can also damage living wood, melting away the surface and taking away the luster. Polishes made with natural ingredients can be more effective, not to mention better for the skin should there be accidental contact.