What type of wood should you choose for your furniture?

by Faustine | Jun 25, 2020 | Decorating Tips and Tricks

Wood is a noble material that allows all styles of furniture, which is why it still has its place in our homes. However, a piece of wood furniture is not necessarily a piece of quality furniture, and disappointment can be rude when we have paid dearly for a piece of wood that does not live up to our expectations! Be careful: as with any purchase, you will need to check the quality of the product. Here are some tips for a successful purchase of wooden furniture!

The different stages of wood processing

Knowing the basics of wood processing allows you to understand the steps that have an impact on the quality of the wood and therefore the total cost after processing . To put it simply, here are the 3 main phases:

• Sawing

  Once the tree trunks arrive at the mill, the handlers proceed with debarking and sawing. The whole process is fully automated. The types of sawing vary according to certain criteria such as the species of wood and the desired thickness of the slices.

• Drying

  These slices are then subjected to pre-drying and drying. Immediately after sawing, the wood is transported to a space dedicated to this purpose. The wood can be air-dried in the traditional way or artificially in a drying shed.

• The finishes

  Finally, the sliced and dried wood is subjected to a final transformation: the finish. The wood can then be sanded, brushed, varnished, oiled, waxed, stained… according to the customer’s request. This step consists in removing the water contained in the wood fibres. It will prevent any swelling or deformation of the material. This phase is very important because it will ensure that the wood will not “work”!

Buying wooden furniture: what you need to check out

The type of wood Depending on the piece of furniture you wish to purchase, not all types of wood will be appropriate. Be aware that oak, walnut, birch, teak (among others!) are woods that, once dried, are very hard and therefore perfect for furniture that is very exposed to blows and scratches. On the contrary, pine and fir are soft woods that are very shock-resistant. A pine desk or table will therefore be damaged more quickly! You can drive a nail into it and leave a trace…

The wood is divided into different families called “species”. Clear wood species, exterior wood species, red wood species, all species are available in logs, blocks or planks for solid wood or sliced for veneer.

Differentiate between species and know how to recognize a quality wood according to its aspect, its heart and its density.

It is the physical and mechanical properties that make it possible to distinguish between several species. Visual appearance, smell, feel, hardness and density – all the senses are involved!

Visual appearance

Veining and grain are two other elements that help to differentiate. The grain corresponds to the patterns formed on the surface of the wood. The orientation of the grain is different depending on the cut of the wood. Finally, the grain, in other words its roughness, is also a determining factor.

• The smell

  Sometimes it is enough to recognize the essence. In the case of pine, for example, the resin emanates a particular scent, specific to this wood. Conversely, species used in the food sector do not give off any odour.

• Touch

  Less obvious than sight, touch nevertheless helps to discern the different essences. In contact with the hand, certain surfaces are “greasy”, “porous”, “fluffy” or “tasty”.

• Hardness and density

  Each wood has a particular hardness distributed according to three criteria: soft, medium-hard and hard. Density is the final differentiating factor. It varies enormously depending on the type of wood.

• La structure du meuble en bois 

  Ce n’est pas une très bonne idée d’acheter un meuble pas cher mais complètement bancal… Autant prendre une pièce de mobilier convenablement construite, donc solide qui vous suivra pendant des années et résistera avec brio aux affres du temps ! Pour cela vérifiez-en la construction, et bannissez par exemple tout assemblage fait avec de simples agrafes. Prenez le temps de contrôler la stabilité au sol, les glissement des tiroirs, les fermetures des portes qui ne doivent ni forcer ni être trop lâches.

• La finition du meuble en bois 

  Ponçage, teinture et finition sont les 3 dernières étapes d’un meuble bien terminé. Si le ponçage a été mal fait, la teinture sera forcément mal appliquée et le résultat final ne sera pas joli. Vérifiez-donc correctement les plateaux, les angles et les côtés latéraux de vos meubles : vous ne devriez déceler ni taches, ni grains de poussières ni bulles, ni coulures. Sachez également qu’un meuble de qualité est un meuble entièrement fini ! Aussi le dos et le dessous devraient être également poncés et teintés (ou cirés).

Buying antique or second-hand wooden furniture: what you should check out

If you have had a crush on old furniture found at a flea market, and you are thinking of restoring and customizing this furniture, remember to check first of all the construction of this furniture, because the report is the same as for new purchases: it is the structure, solid or not, that you will have to evaluate. Test the stability of the furniture by leaning on it, for chairs check the solidity of the frames. Check if the wood is sound in the hidden parts, underneath, behind, in any drawers…

As long as the structure of your used furniture is viable, anything goes: surface damage, such as scratches and dents in the wood can be repaired. Colours, patinas, stains that are not to your liking can be removed and reworked, if you have time!

Wood grading according to density

The density of the wood has an impact on its robustness and therefore its quality. Each species has a more or less hard density.

How are wood species classified?

As you can see, several parameters come into play in the transformation of wood as soon as it is felled. A good manufacturer must therefore pay particular attention to the processes involved.

The choice of wood is a second factor that will greatly influence the quality of your furniture. The hardness and density of the wood will have an impact on its resistance.

Two measurements are used to evaluate the hardness of a wood: the Monnin hardness (varying between <1.5 and > 9) and the Brinell hardness (which is expressed in N/mm² and varies between 10 N/mm² and > 40 N/mm²).

At the same time, the class of use is another element to be taken into consideration. It is defined according to the nature of the activity and its intensity.

Classification of wood types

I propose the following classification, it will give you an idea of the density of the woods. The species are classified from A to D, from lightest to hardest:

• Class A: poplar, fir, pine, alder
• Class B: birch, teak, walnut
• Class C: oak, ash, elm, acacia
• Class D: wenge, dark acacia, azobe

Minimalist decoration: how to adopt it?

by Faustine | Jun 25, 2020 | Decorating Tips and Tricks

Returning to the essential and betting on simplicity to enrich our interior, is the very basis of minimalism. Often assimilated to a cold and empty decoration, discover that this little-known trend has more than one trick up its sleeve. Appeared in the 60s in response to the consumer society, minimalism persists over time and passes the years without going out of fashion.

This trend has also made a place for itself in the world of interior design thanks to famous architects who have created iconic objects such as the zig-zag chair.

by designer Gerrit Rietveld whose vision of design has helped to popularise minimalism in interior design. Also worth mentioning is the Barcelona armchair, which is a tribute to the marriage of design and craftsmanship, by Mies Van Der Rohe, an icon of the modern movement.

The architect and designer Jean Prouvé is also an influential figure of the minimalist style with, among others, his creation entitled “Standard Chair”, which simply mixes wood and steel and which has managed to find a balance between the beauty of a refined style and the economic demands of mass production.

We can also evoke Scandinavian design, which is evocative of this minimalist trend through the use of natural and classic materials enhanced by the function assigned to them. Many stores now offer furniture and decorative objects at a lower cost to furnish your apartment or house in the minimalist style. However, it is still necessary to know the codes so as not to make any mistakes. Because yes, minimalism requires a certain rigour and a good dose of reflection. Materials, colours, equipment, organisation of spaces, etc.

Controlled sobriety, harmony, aesthetics and practicality

Minimalism requires a keen eye and real perseverance to find the right balance and create a perfect minimalist cocoon. I give you some advice on how to adapt the minimalist decoration in your interior.

Perception of space

In order to get the most out of a minimalist decoration, you should remove all unnecessary or personal elements from the landscape and concentrate on simple and functional furniture. Their sobriety and simplicity will allow you to apprehend your space in a different way and thus detect new concepts in the design of your interior. So let’s sort it out!

The elimination of too much decoration allows you a more playful approach with the positioning and composition of your visual elements that you want to keep. Sorting represents for me the b.a. ba of the minimalist movement and also the first step to take when you want to purify your interior. For how can you organise your home in a minimalist spirit if it is overflowing with furniture or objects? So you take the time you need to throw away or give away what you no longer use by attacking one room after another. Start with the room of your choice by getting rid of obsolete utensils and those you haven’t used for several years (or even never!). Continue room after room, piece after piece, and your interior is already on the path to minimalism …

Allez encore plus loin dans le minimalisme en ne gardant que l’essentiel, c’est-à-dire les objets dont vous avez besoin régulièrement. En se débarrassant du superflu, on gagne du temps, de l’argent, et surtout on allège sa charge mentale !

Creation of a universe with minimalist furniture

A simple and deliberately reduced design helps you to dictate the exact path your eye should take and invites it to decipher the environment. The minimalist style is a way to explore the depth of symbolism. Try to think around objects, observe how they interact with each other to create a story. Decompartmentalize the perception of the senses: colours and shapes must participate in a common vision. Minimalism is not synonymous with emptiness.  Don’t give up furnishing your living rooms. By opting for minimalism, you will be able to add more distinctive objects. For example, a straight white dining table with a very clean design can be accompanied by more colourful chairs. In this case, be careful to choose sober colours.

Give priority to quality over quantity.

In the minimalist universe, each element must be used for your decoration, underline a dominant trend and highlight your cocoon. If straight lines take precedence over curves, rounded lines are not to be excluded, on the contrary, they can even be used alongside straight lines. Once again, it’s all a question of balance and harmony. Furniture with clean designs can be combined with timeless, neutral colours such as grey, black, white or taupe.

Choose furniture with storage space. A well-organized and tidy interior will highlight the minimalism of your living room and will give importance to the available space. Don’t try to fill up the free space in your room, on the contrary, tame it. Few pieces of furniture but practical elements, offering adapted storage that will contribute to this refined style.

Choosing a good floor for a minimalist decoration

For the floor, choose for example, Arte flooring with its white marble-look laminate floor tiles or also Pulse vinyl flooring in grey white marble. Hungarian point parquet, Versailles tiles, broken stick parquet or oak parquet strips will also be a suitable choice for a minimalist decoration. The main thing is to naturally associate your floor with the flagship colours of this trend: black, white and grey, while offering a warm side to your living room.

Marble can also give a lot of refinement to your minimalist apartment. Disseminated here and there on a sideboard or decorative object, it can also be used in more pronounced touches, especially for bathroom wall coverings. Good to know: there are many materials that imitate marble and give a perfect illusion, at low cost.

Investing in wood for a minimalist decoration

When we talk about the minimalist style, we often think of ultra cold interiors with modern materials (plexiglass, aluminum, and tutti cuanti) but keep in mind that minimalism is a style that rejects the decorative codes of past eras described as a surplus of decorative elements too dense and too intense, thus undermining the very function of the objects they overload. To perfect these atmospheres, what could be better than investing in wooden furniture and accessories? To warm up your minimalist interior, nothing can replace the warmth of wood. This noble and timeless material has the advantage of matching all decorative styles while bringing a touch of authenticity to an atmosphere that is sometimes extremely refined.

Colour in minimalist decoration

Traditionally, white is the dominant colour in minimalism. Its purity and coldness bring a sense of calming order. This colour also makes it possible to create an interior with a pure style and devoid of the overwhelming effect that an excess of colour can bring. White is very present in the minimalist trend but beware: If you choose this colour as the dominant colour in your interior, it must be immaculate. Beige or off-white will not find its place in this style of decoration. Later on, neutral colours such as grey, beige or black became more popular. If these shades seem too dull to you, don’t hesitate to add notes of colour such as a light blue, a bright yellow or a bright red. Success guaranteed! Blue is a colour with soothing properties, particularly suitable for a bedroom or living room. Red, on the other hand, is a vivid hue that attracts attention and should therefore be used deliberately. Yellow, on the other hand, has a stimulating effect and is the ideal colour for an office. Used in moderation, yellow also brings a fresh, summery touch to your interior. A red compartment in your library will showcase your favourite books. A grey sideboard with yellow doors will play on contrasts and bring a bright touch to your living room. Adding a blue drawer to your anthracite chest of drawers will completely transform your furniture. However, not only colour accents can bring a breath of fresh air to your minimalist interior, you can also opt for a combination of plain furniture. Combine, for example, a red coffee table with a grey shelf, a grey sofa and a wall in the same colour. This combination will bring dynamism to your interior. Since decorative objects are already scarce in a room of minimalist inspiration, colours are the perfect solution to soften this style often perceived as austere.

The colours must not overflow one another, they must have a fluid aspect, without very strong contrasts. If we choose a brighter colour, it should only be a light touch in a room where whites or ecru with pure lines predominate. Opt for two colours on the whole. Balance their presence in the room in a geometric way: it is a matter of throwing imaginary lines that generate a certain order and balance. In this way, we will maintain the minimalist order we are looking for.

Brightness the key element of minimalist decoration

The brightness of your room can serve a minimalist style. The idea is to let in as much natural light as possible. Of course, when the sun goes down, artificial light is just as important. To do this, opt for LEDs and spotlights that will serve your decor thanks to their discretion. If these lights are recessed, it’s even better!

The particularity of the minimalist style is strangely expressed in its ability to rely on natural light. While ceiling lights and recessed LEDs are of course permitted, free-standing lamps are avoided, as the minimalist room does not have to be cluttered with a lot of small accessories. In such an atmosphere, therefore, it is preferable to use natural light. Remove the curtains, natural light will diffuse from one space to another. Because here again, here’s a key feature of this style: large spaces without visual borders. The rooms open out onto each other so that you can live together in harmony. So think about opening up the rooms, playing with mirrors and integrating ingenious artificial light points for the evening. We often forget: the ceiling! My advice for your walls also applies to it: clear/white (in all its forms) and satin/gloss to better reflect the sun’s rays. If you have beams, don’t hesitate to paint them too: not only is painted wood very trendy, but the diffusion of light in your interior will be perfect!

The detail in the decoration, minimalist

Minimalism is also “the care given to all the accessories useful in everyday life”. The essential elements of any interior – electrical outlets, door handles, etc. – must be worked on in detail. Here too, the material is of the utmost importance. Rather than white plastic, choose porcelain or bakelite. Another example, “the carpet is not the carpet for the carpet, it is there because it is a place that we will walk on barefoot”.

What about textiles in minimalist decoration?

On the textile side, do not use patterned bed linen. Comfort is much more important than aesthetics. So go for white in a hard-wearing and pleasant fabric. Two cushions in sober colours will dress up your bed just right. 

Moins complexe qu’il n’y paraît, le style minimaliste demande toutefois réflexion mais ne doit en aucun cas paraître inaccessible. Philosophie de vie ou simple manière d’agencer son espace intérieur, à vous de vous l’approprier en jouant avec les codes énoncés précédemment. Faites le tri, ne gardez que l’essentiel et composez un univers qui vous ressemble en laissant l’espace respirer. Vous ne vous sentirez que mieux là où l’encombrant – le superflu – n’est plus…