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Exceptional furniture construction begins with wood, and since wood is a natural material, it has characteristics that require special consideration. When trees are harvested, they have quite a bit of moisture in them. The moisture will dry out over time if the wood is allowed to age. A combination of air and kiln drying systematically controls moisture content and prevents wood from splitting.

The grain of the wood can expand and contract for years, even if the wood is kiln dried and finished. Heat and humidity affect the expansion and contraction. Sometimes this expansion/contraction will cause a split in a piece of solid wood furniture. This is particularly true when furniture is stored in contrasting hot/cold temperature extremes and humid/dry conditions.

Cracking and Warping

Wood is a natural material and it may or may not have the characteristic of splitting or cracking. We don't know when it will happen or if it will happen.  Manufacturing at different times of year can be better than others - for instance in the Fall when there is less humidity.   Air conditioning in the summer, heat in the winter and direct sunlight can all be factors that affect the wood while in your home.

We work with about 6 factories  - these are small Chinese factories making furniture the old world way....you won't find huge compounds with assembly lines, you will find 'not everything is perfect', none the less I am able to discover a piece of furniture that will last, suit my budget, and fulfill my needs - some of it treasured items from another century, well worth taking a risk on.  Some items that are designed and special ordered might have slight imperfections in the wood but will obtain a 'cottage' charm and the prices are incredible .

We do not guarantee that any of the items purchased will not crack or warp. Many of the items we make have the aged and antique look to give the piece more personality if this does occur. 

Items 80 years and older are less likely to crack.  They've had years to expand and contract.  Sometime when making new items - we request the use of old wood - if it is available - and create an aged look reproduction.  The item may split at the seam - but it's hardly noticeable and still very usable.  

ALL SALES ARE FINAL

Soft Woods and Hardwoods

Solid wood furniture may be made from many types of wood from pine to oak. Softer woods come from evergreen trees. The grain in the wood is more porous than in hardwoods, and it may dent more easily. Wood from evergreen trees grows faster, making it less expensive.  Chinese Elmwood is used instead of Pine – which will have the same characteristics. It is also a less expensive wood.

Typically these are woods easily sourced by local craftsmen. Since they are readily available, they are used for more common pieces of furniture. They comprise the bulk of furniture in today's market, ranging from Yumu (northern elm) and Huaimu (locust)-in the northern provinces of Hebei and Shanxi-to Jumu (southern elm)-in Jiangsu province-and Xiangzhang (camphor)-in the south. 

Hardwoods (trees that loose their leaves once a year)  like cherry, oak, maple, birch, ash and mahogany come from deciduous trees. They have a tighter, less porous grain. These trees take longer to grow and are usually more expensive than soft woods as a raw material. Their tighter grain makes them harder, so they resist denting more than soft woods do.

Trees classified as hardwoods are not necessarily harder than softwoods. Density and moisture content affect the strength of wood; in addition to load-bearing strength, other variable factors often tested include elasticity and toughness.

Humidity and Heat

All wood used for furniture construction needs to be properly dried to a certain humidity level to help prevent the wood from splitting. Drying is done by a combination of air drying and kiln drying. Wood that has been cut into boards is stacked so that air can circulate through it. Forklifts move the stacks into room-sized ovens. The wood is then gently heated to remove excess moisture and stabilize the wood.

Even finished furniture can develop open cracks where heat and humidity fluctuations cause the wood grain to open in what is known as a "season crack". It is important to keep furniture in places where it isn't exposed to excessive heat, cold, dryness or humidity.

Best Uses for Solid Wood or Veneers

Solid wood is required for carving; framing a dresser, chest or entertainment center; and for posts or legs that support furniture. Veneers are a better choice when using rare or expensive woods, especially to achieve matching grain patterns throughout the entire piece. Veneer is also an excellent choice for shapes like curved drawer fronts or where you need to use thin pieces of wood that have great strength.

Well-done veneers help control the expansion and contraction of wood.  Since wood moves in the direction of its lengthwise grain pattern, gluing strips of wood together with perpendicular grain patterns helps prevent shrinkage and expansion in the wood. Slices of wood with lengthwise grain are glued against slices with crosswise grain. When the lengthwise grain absorbs humidity and tries to lengthen, the crosswise grain holds it in place.

Solid Wood Doesn't Necessarily Mean Better Construction

You may be bombarded with advertising suggesting that solid wood furniture is made from "pure" wood and is therefore better quality. Quality furniture is made with solid woods, veneered woods, and a variety of other materials. Some solid-wood furniture is well constructed from kiln-dried woods and is an excellent choice for your home.

Caring for Furniture

Living with wonderful furniture and protecting it from damage is often a matter of common sense. Wood furniture is happiest when it lives in a room that's between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit with the relative humidity in the 50 - 55% range. Furniture should not be placed in direct sunlight because it will fade and dry the wood.

If you choose to use a piece of glass on top of a chest or dresser, place felt disks between the glass and the wood to allow for air circulation.

Today's furniture lacquers need very little care. There should never be moisture left on the furniture after dusting. Dust in the direction of the grain pattern to prevent noticeable scratches from dust particles. Spray furniture waxes and polishes are not necessary and can cloud the furniture finish. Wood furniture does not need to be "fed" with lemon oil or other preparations.

Repairing Furniture

Varathane Wood Stain Touch-up marker (by Rust-oleum) are a fast and easy way to touch up minor scratches on stained wood.

Colors complement :

Color Group 1 - Natural, Golden Pecan, Spring Oak

Color Group 2 - Summer Oak, Traditional Pecan, Ipswich Pine

Color Group 3 - Chestnut, Colonial Maple

Color Group 4 - Golden Oak, Provincial, Golden Mahogany

Color Group 5 - Light Cherry, Traditional Cherry

Color Group 6 - Red Oak, Red Chestnut, Red Mahogany

Color Group 7 - Cabernet, Black Cherry

Color Group 8 - Light Walnut, American Walnut, Gunstock

Color Group 9 - Early American

Color Group 10 - Dark Walnut, Espresso

Unit Rate @HK$70.00/pc.

Local distributor, Hawking International (HK) Ltd. Please call the direct line of Ms. Ellie Tao at 2317-1398 or email her at et@hawking.com.hk local distributor, Hawking International (HK) Ltd. Please call the direct line of Ms. Ellie Tao at 2317-1398 or email her at et@hawking.com.hk