Memory Foam

I like to blog about furniture topics that are a bit of a mystery to me. One such topic is "memory foam" used in Mattresses. Why do they call it memory foam? What makes it different than regular foam. What are it's advantages and disadvantages. This "memory foam" Wikipedia link is a good place to start in researching the subject and help the mattress buyer reading this blog.

The Crazy Canadian

Check out this fun video of "the Crazy Canadian" chainsaw cutting dovetail joints.

Case Goods: Cabinets

The term case goods refers to furniture such as cabinets, bed frames, tables etc. I am going to refer you to the Wikipedia article on cabinet making today for your further research.

Upholstery

Following up on my last post regarding "joinery", I am going to now consider the topic of upholstered furniture. This topic includes fabric, leather, springs, and padding. You can read a lot more about each of these topics by following the "upholstered furniture" link above.

Joinery

Whether you are looking at either upholstered furniture or case goods, you will be dealing with furniture that has some sort of frame. Therefore, a logical starting place in our learning process is the topic of joinery. Some common woodworking joints are English dovetails, French dovetail, mortise and tenon. You can read about additional types of wood working joints by following the "joinery" link above. Asking smart questions about the joinery methods used in constructing the furniture you are considering can make an important difference in durability, usability, longevity and affordability.

Period, detail, and design.

The "big three" English furniture makers of the 18th century still have a strong influence on today's traditional style furniture.  The "big three" were Thomas Chippendale, Thomas Sheration and George Hepplewhite. Chippendale's publication was called The Gentleman and Cabinet-maker's Director. I find Chippendale's work interesting to look at from a historical perspective, but if you want learn how to identify furniture by period, detail, and design, a more readable modern text is "The Bulfinch Anatomy of Antique Furniture: An Illustrated Guide to Identifying Period, Detail, and Design".

Start here.

As we shop for furniture, one of the first questions we are asked is, "What style do you prefer?". The typical answer is either: traditional or contemporary. A third category you may hear people refer to is transitional. For a thorough overview of furniture styles and periods follow this link.