In our most recent newsletter we touched on the characteristics of a variety wood used for crafting fine furniture and cabinetry. In this post we offer a more in-depth look at the difference between red and white oak. Species and Groups There are two trees that are known specifically as red oak and white oak by […]
Some trees are susceptible to specific blights. These blights are often introduced from outside of the native range of the tree, so the tree has not developed any defenses against the blight. Two trees facing formidable adversaries right now are American black walnut and ash. About American Black Walnut American black walnut is an economically […]
Craftsman style was popularized around the beginning of the 20th century. The industrial age resulted in massed produced furniture that was inexpensive, but poorly constructed and designed. As a response, craftsman style, which emphasized quality made furniture, became a favored furniture style. Craftsman not only refers to a style of decor, but to a philosophy that believes form […]
Book matching is a term used in woodworking to describe two identical slabs of wood that are pieced together so that they mirror one another. It is called book matching because the technique gives the finished piece the appearance of an open book. Book matching is often used when crafting fine instruments such as guitars and […]
The Mountain Pine Beetle or MPB is an insect that has been devastating the forests of Colorado for many years. They attack primarily lodgepole pines, but have also been known to invade scotch, limber and ponderosa pines as well. The pine beetle usually attacks larger, older trees that are under some stress due to overcrowding, […]
There are a number of furniture styles and many terms to explain them. When you are decorating your home you may find yourself lost in a plethora of words that represent different furniture styles. Here is a brief explanation of a few common furniture styles so that you can feel confident as you work with professionals to […]
Fairplay is a small town nestled among the mountains at almost 10,000 ft. The South Platte River runs through town on the back side of Front Street. The slopes surrounding the town are dotted with aspen groves and towering conifers. In the spring and summer colorful wildflowers bloom on the slopes; the fall lights up with brilliant, […]
The beautiful finishes on fine, handcrafted furniture can be intimidating to care for. However, it is relatively easy to clean and dust wood furniture. A Soft Cloth To remove dust, any kind of soft cloth will work well. Try to use something that doesn’t produce much lent. An old, cut up cotton t-shirt will do […]
In the breakfast nook of my parent’s home sits a round kitchen table. It is beginning to show a bit of age, but it has withstood generations of use and abuse. It is rumored to have been my great-grandmother’s table who was the mother to 20 children. It is now enduring the activity of ten […]
