Choosing the Best Hand Made Furniture

Those who have experience shopping for furniture for living rooms, office spaces, dining rooms, or any other place in your home understand that quality trumps every other factor when deciding to purchase. Now, of course, the living room furniture should be stylish and functional, however this is a high end investment. As a high end investment, it is important to know how to select the highest quality - especially when that furniture is hand made.

The Arts and Crafts Movement

Beginning as early as 1850s, the Arts and Crafts Movement kicked off in Britain and was inspired by the ideas of architect Augustus Pugin, writer John Ruskin, and designer William Morris. The inspiration was to blend beautiful artistic design into home furnishings, and lead to inspiring pieces of furniture from table lamps, to rugs, to office furniture.

Throughout the Arts and Crafts Movement, there have been many notable designers who know how to ensure that no matter the room you are furnishing - bedrooms, living rooms, offices - you will have a quality piece that is both artistic and inspirational. This type of art is well worth its price, as any who have purchased these pieces can attest. However, there is the matter of ensuring the highest quality, as these pieces are ones you will keep for many decades, and could even be passed down as family heirlooms.

Determining Quality: How to Choose the Best Handmade Furniture

When purchasing furniture for living rooms, there are many different pieces that must be considered. What will be the centerpiece? Will there be a rug set underneath it? How about the couches? End tables? Lamps? A reading chair? All of these elements must bring together a natural feng shui (pronounced fung shway) to increase the energy and beauty of your home. No wonder purchasing furniture for living rooms is such an important decision.

Because furniture for living rooms is so important, hand made quality must be absolutely impeccable. Here are a few of our tips to ensure the highest quality.

1. Know Who Made the Piece. When it comes to quality, experienced artisans are a must. Now, experience doesn't necessarily guarantee quality, and some new artisans might be gifted Proteges. That being said, artisans who are willing to put their name behind each piece are confident in their ability to maintain quality through each set.

Additionally, artisans leave their soul in each piece they craft. It is important to know their story as it gives extra flavor and meaning to each piece. This is true whether it is furniture for living rooms that is on display for everyone to see, or a nightstand next to your bed.

2. Understand the Finish. The finish on each piece should be done so that it brings out the natural colors when light fills the room. The light should be drawn onto the wood fibers and almost dance around and play with each fiber, making the piece almost appear as if it were alive. The light should bring out more beauty in each piece, not simply bounce off of it.

Additionally, a strong finish will help protect the piece throughout time. Time can change and erode almost anything, a strong and well done finish will help protect your investment throughout years of use. In addition to the finish, it is important to know more about where the piece started. What type of wood was used? Where did that wood come from? How was it harvested? This will help you determine the quality of the materials overall.

Again, high quality furniture, especially when hand crafted, should enhance the energy of your home. It is a significant investment that deserves significant thought and consideration. After making a purchase, it is important to understand how to maintain your furniture correctly. For example, leather furniture should be conditioned every six months. If you have any questions about how to properly care for your furniture, please let us know. We are proud of our top quality products and our high end customer service.