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Mood boards can be the difference between a successful creative project and a dud. They're that helpful. Creating mood boards doesn't need to be difficult either. It's all about finding design elements you like, and then putting them on a board for you to look at. But with so many ways of doing it, it can be hard knowing exactly how to do it successfully, so you feel inspired and focus on the theme you want for your project. So today, we'll show you exactly how to create a mood board to get those creative juices flowing. What Exactly is a Mood Board?Mood boards are basically an inspiration board. Whatever your creative project might be, you fill your mood board (which can be a physical board or a digital mood board if you prefer) with a bunch of different things, including:
How Does a Mood Board Help?A mood board helps at the start of a project because it allows you to keep your eyes open for new ideas. Having the imagery in front of you of the collection of things you like can be a great source of inspiration moving forwards. A beautiful moodboard is visually appealing and will help you hone your design skills to create a consistent look once you eventually finish the project. Basically, every design project needs a roadmap, and a mood board is yours, filled with all your creative ideas and visual inspiration to get the ball rolling! Who Uses Mood Boards?That's the best thing about an inspiration board - anyone can use it. Although admittedly, certain individuals will use it more:
First Things First: Choosing Your Mood Board FormatYou've got two options: a digital mood board or a physical board. Which one you prefer will depend on two things. First, how do you prefer to work? With physical things in front of you that you can move, or with a computer that you can edit freely as you please? Second, which are you going to use more? This is the most important thing to consider. There's no use getting more material together for the project if you aren't going to put it on your mood board and update it constantly. So choose the mood board you'll use the most. Digital Board ExplainedA digital moodboard is exactly what it sounds like. They're used on your computer or other device and you basically put all your images and ideas in one place there, which you can update whenever you like. Digital moodboards are popular because it allows you to use multiple moodboards at the same time so you can break down the project more. This can often save time if you're somebody who likes to store your ideas and images in separate places, rather than seeing the project as a whole on one board. It also allows you to explore different visual directions more, as you might put similar ideas on both boards, but with different color palettes, etc. With a digital board, you can play around with photos, images, words, fonts and style more - but you won't be able to explore textures and materials like you can with a physical mood board. Where to Create a Digital Mood BoardCreating a digital mood board is easy enough. You just need to know where to look for a free moodboard template online that will help you get all your images and ideas in one place. Here are the best places to create a free digital mood board online:
Explore these three options, and you'll find one that suits your style and process more to create the mood boards you need. Physical Board ExplainedA physical board is a mood board you have in front of you. Usually, you stick your ideas on to a piece of foam board, after cutting out images and gathering different materials, paint (for your color palette), textures, fonts, and words to put them all on the board in front of you. Here you can experiment with different styles to convey different messages and it's a much more fluid process since you can remove and add things as you see fit. Being able to see all the different design elements in front of you can be really helpful when figuring out the direction you want to take with your project. And, if we're being honest, there's something quite satisfying about ripping down different photos and images that aren't working and replacing them until you find the right style. Why are Physical Mood Boards Becoming More Popular?Slowly, we're starting to see a return to physical mood boards more and more - despite the free digital options that are available. But why is that? Well, lots of people find having their imagery in front of them to be much more helpful, just from a project management perspective, since it's always there whilst you work reminding you of the direction. Others find working with materials and textures to be an integral part of their design process, and you can only really experiment with materials on physical boards. But one of the most important has to be that designers are creating physical mood boards all the time, filled with beautiful images and inspiration, expressing unique style, and exploring different elements of design to create a unique theme. And if it works for designers, then it ought to work for us, right? Sometimes Digital Boards are Better...Despite that, we just wanted to remind you that sometimes digital moodboards will work better for you and that's OK. Whatever suits your style of working is important. And sometimes you'll simply have to use digital moodboards because you don't have everything you need for a physical mood board in front of you. Inspiration can be found anywhere, and online is often a great place to search for that! So, decide which is better for you first, and then move on to our step-by-step guide below! Creating Mood Boards: A Step-By-Step Guide1. Knowing Your ThemeGetting your theme nailed down is the first thing to drive your inspiration onwards. And to do this, you don't even need a mood board yet. Whatever your project might be - designing a website, planning a wedding, interior design - look for sources of inspiration. Pick out the running theme you like about all of them, and decide on the theme that's going to work best for this venture. You can do this by looking at others' style, exploring images online, or even looking at another person's mood board online in places like Pinterest. This initial stage is just about gathering info and setting a direction - only in the next step does the mood board creating begin! 2. Time to Hunter-GatherAt this point, it's time to put all your energy into finding everything you need to make your creative endeavour work. This is where your ability to see the bigger picture and create something truly special will kick in. For example, if you're building a website for your brand, then here is where you'll look for image after image online to find different elements that show off your brand. The same applies to those of you just thinking about redecorating at home. Finding a brand voice to sell your brand on a website is a lot like finding your style to sell your personality at home. But to know your style, you'll need images, photos, paints, materials, etc., to explore. The point is, this part of the process lives and dies by your ability to find the images and sources of inspiration that will drive the rest of your tasks forwards. Here is where you'll start tacking your ideas to your mood board and exploring what you like and what you don't. Find an image that doesn't speak to your brand/image/style, then don't waste energy on it. Just remove it, and find something to replace it! 3. CONTROL YOUR IDEASThis is so important! After working so hard on making the mood board to start with, it can be tempting to throw the kitchen sink at it. But if you overload your mood board with images of a bunch of different styles, it'll be your downfall. That's why we focussed on finding a theme at the start - you should always keep this in mind because it'll keep you on the right track. Once you've completed your mood board, ask yourself if everything on it is relevant to your initial ideas. If it isn't, then it's time to cut them out. All the images should make sense on your board, and if they don't, it's a sure sign you've lost direction along the way, and you might want to head back to square one and try again. But don't worry if this happens to you! It just means you get to go through the fun, creative process all over again! 4. Finalise Your IdeasOnce you think you're there, it's time to finalise your ideas. And to do that, you just have to ask yourself one key question: Does this mood board convey my brand/style/image in the way I wanted it to? If yes, then just neaten up your mood board and get ready to start your project. But if no, then continue experimenting a little more - you'll nail the brand/style/image etc. eventually, you just need to keep at it. Top Tips for Mood Board CreationThere are some additional tips you might benefit from, so before we leave you, we thought we'd give you some last-minute pointers below. Collaboration HelpsWorking with others helps in creativity, so if you're ever feeling like you're lost for ideas or stuck for inspiration, then seek some guidance from others. It doesn't have to be someone who knows a lot about design or website building or whatever it is you're doing - any outside help can be valuable. Keep Notes on Your ThoughtsAlongside your mood board, make sure you keep some notes about your thoughts. Without them, you can sometimes risk returning to your mood board later on and being confused by what your thinking was at the time. With notes, you'll avoid this. If You're Unsure, Create MoreIf you're not entirely satisfied when you finish the mood board, then don't take it as a sign to quit - just make another one from scratch. Nine times out of ten you'll have just got sidetracked in your hunter-gather stage, and by starting again, you'll get back on track. Don't get Trapped in the Mood Board LoopThere can sometimes be a problem with mood boards, and it's what we call the mood board loop. Where you spend so much time editing your mood board that you never actually move on to the thing you created the mood board for... Avoid this by setting a firm schedule. No more editing after this time, or you might never finish the task you originally set out to do. NEVER Limit Your CreativityFinally, never limit your creativity. The mood board phase is the perfect time to get whacky and creative and try things you'd never have thought of before. If it doesn't work, fine, but if it does - well, you've found yourself a unique way of looking at things again, and that's always exciting. Round-upThat's the basic premise of making mood boards. You pick your method, you pick a theme; you find what you like, control your ideas, and then finalise, neaten up, and then use the final mood board to drive your tasks onwards. It's as simple as that, so all that's left for us to say is get out there and create one. You'll definitely find them useful, so long as you avoid that moodboard loop we talked about! The following article How to Make a Moodboard was originally seen on https://homesdirect365.co.uk/ from Homes Direct 365 | Blog - Feed https://www.homesdirect365.co.uk/blog/2022/02/how-to-make-a-moodboard/ via Blogger How to Make a Moodboard
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Ever felt like you needed a full list of furniture designers and makers to understand their contributions to the furniture design world? Do you want a one-stop shop for names of furniture makers that have run a successful furniture business, created iconic furniture, or blurred the lines between artistic projects and design trends in furniture? What about finding out about modern British furniture design businesses? Well, you're in the right place, because here is where you'll find a compete list of furniture makers, furniture designers, and modern British businesses that have left (or will leave) their mark in history! Famous Furniture Makers and Designers1. Charles Rennie MackintoshCharles Rennie Mackintosh is a renowned Scottish designer known for his lucrative design career. He's known for his simple approach to design, mixing practical furniture with art - Asian art and Art nouveau specifically. His standout collection of simple, but stylish work is credited as being the beginning of the Modernist Movement design trend. 2. Le CorbusierLe Corbusier (a Swiss-French architect) worked in architecture and furniture, and brought elements of both to his work. As an architect, he was famous for his contributions to large pieces of architecture in France and India (Indian states Punjab and Haryana specifically). His name amongst architects is well known. But it was the way this architect brought elements of architecture to his furniture designs that made him so famous. Working with Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret, they launched standout pieces (namely lounge chairs) in 1928 when he started his furniture company. 3. Charlotte PerriandAlthough initially refused to assist Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand later became an integral part of his furniture design studio, and stamped her name firmly on the furniture design scene in her own right. She is accredited with working alongside Le Corbusier on a series of light chairs that proved to be popular - specifically the Grand Confort. This is a fine example of her architecture and furniture designs blending into a beautiful piece. After leaving Corbusier's studio in 1937, she continued her own practice with her furniture design business. 4. Frank Lloyd WrightFrank Lloyd Wright was a renowned architect known for his craftsmanship and innovative architectural projects. But it was his work as a furniture designer in later life that really brought his style to the forefront. His work with natural materials did away with traditional techniques and instead he focussed on blending exterior and interior in interior design, blending art and industrial design too. This forward thinking style made him not only a prominent architect, but one of the most impressive furniture designers too. 5. Marcel BreuerMarcel Breuer started his own furniture design company in 1946 in the USA, with Bauhaus roots in art. His work was amazing, but only after he developed the Wassily chair did he really become famous. They were bold, yet light, and were a clean break from other design trends that had come before. 6. Vico MagistrettiVico Magistretti is widely regarded as one of the leading Italian furniture designers, although he actually began his career in industrial design in Milan. It was during the 1950s that he transitioned to join the furniture designers, and even today, his pieces are some of the most iconic furniture in the world. 7. Charles and Ray EamesCharles and Ray Eames were essentially a power couple amongst interior designers, having dabbled in almost every artistic pursuit. With pieces such as their Eames lounge and ottoman chairs that rival even modern works today, they rightly earned their place as designers that will go down in history. 8. Arne JacobsenThe Eames' influenced many designers throughout their interior designer and furniture designer careers, but none more so than Danish furniture designer Arne Jacobsen. Their influence is clear in his infamous egg chair. This iconic egg shaped chair is still as modern today as it ever was. The egg chair has earned its place in design history, for its quality, style, and ability to complement even modern works. 9. Oscar NiemeyerOscar Niemeyer was one of the most prolific interior designers. Based in Brazil, he had plenty of notable pieces, including the Rio Lounge Chair, but there were many more besides. He proved that quality could remain with every chair, table, or other piece of furniture he made, regardless of how many pieces he produced. Living to 104 years old, this great man contributed a lot to the modern furniture design we see today. 10. Florence Knoll BassettIt was upon meeting her husband, Hans Knoll, that she moved from architect extraordinaire to furniture designer. Together they ran a company specialising in furniture design. When Hans Knoll sadly passed away, it was left to Bassett to drive the company onwards - and she certainly did, making her company one of the most successful in the world throughout the 1950s and 60s. It was her use of space and contemporary design techniques that made her so famous, because nobody thought of space as a design feature in quite the same way Florence Knoll Bassett did. 11. Jens RisomJens Risom actually worked with Florence Knoll in 1941, but he made a name for himself amongst interior designers and makers. His work is often seen as perfect examples of the mid-century modern style, and his most famous chair of all was simply a birch chair (he favoured wood in his designs, given how well they work with interiors) with spare parachute strings attached. He made use of these materials because they were the only materials readily available after the war - showing his considerable craftsmanship. 12. MiesLudwig Mies van der Rohe (Mies, more commonly) was mostly known for his architect business, but he had 2 major contributions to the world of design. His infamous Barcelona chair and Brno chair were copied the world over after breaking on the scene. After he had created these two fine examples, his contribution to furniture largely ended. Although once you've developed two pieces so widely recognised, why would you carry on? 13. Philippe StarckPhilippe Starck is best known for his industrial designs and work with buildings in Japan, France, and the USA - but he diversified too. After shifting his focus to interiors, Starck made multiple contributions to design through his company, Starck Product (or Ubik). 14. George NakashimaGeorge Nakashima was a skilled architect and maker, specifically known for his 'free edge' style. He worked with wood and created many different interesting pieces, making him famous in the world of design. One example that springs to mind is his infamous coffee table - a rustic wooden, free edged table sitting on a cedar stump. Stylish. Innovative. Natural. 15. Giovanni PontiGio Ponti was a design-focussed individual that understood interiors implicity. His ability to design modern furniture blended with architecture was almost unrivalled. He had multiple works, including famous chests of drawers, mirrors, and even a table whose simple wooden design and curved shape has been copied time and again. 16. Sam MaloofSam Maloof was infamous in the 1950s for his chairs. Often wooden, these pieces took on a life of their own. Likened to sculptures, or like something out of a painting, these chairs were known for their stunning curves and interesting designs. But more than that, they were ergonomic, and some of the most comfortable seats you could find anywhere! 17. Gustav StickleyGustav is known for his craftsman approach to his work, making every piece unique and special in the way he approached it. He even founded a magazine called 'The Craftsman' to highlight how important this natural, modest design approach was. It garnered some attention too, making him one of the most influential and successful designers of all. 18. Yves KleinYves Klein is known for one thing above everything else: Table IKB (or the infamous cocktail table). Although this one piece is amazing, everything about it describes his approach to all his designs, as well as the table itself. It's minimal, simple, and elegant. It's pop art and modern, basic, but fun. But above all else, it's ridiculously stylish. 19. Vladimir KaganKnown for his 'Serpentine Sofa', Kagan rightly stands proud amongst the top designers of the 20th century. All his work was very respectful of the era he worked in - curves, soft colours, exciting lines. All of that applies to the Serpentine Sofa, and all the other work he produced too. 20. Josef HoffmanHis Club 1910 chair with its dark leather, deep cushion, and wide arms is a design signature of his that's almost like an autograph. Although easily his most famous piece, Hoffman developed a range of upholstered chairs that still remain popular today, making him a very well respected and much missed maker. British designers and businessesTo finish, we thought we'd give you a closer look at some of the best British designers and businesses in the design and furniture game. And no, not all of them are London based as you'd expect (although some, of course, are). 21. SwyftKnown for their beautiful sofas that fit into any space, Swyft is a pretty big business right now when it comes to furniture. Fast delivery, an amazing selection, and all the help you could need when deciding what's right for your home - this is a great British option. 22. The Dining Chair CompanyYou'd expect them to know their way around a chair given their name, and they do! With everything from golden oldies to new pieces that are modern and stylish, this business really ticks all the boxes if you're looking for something fun and fresh for your home. 23. LinleyFounded by David Snowdon (nee Linley) in 1985, this is already a well-established place to come when looking to freshen up your interiors. As far as British furniture goes, if it isn't stocked at Linley, then it probably isn't the best of the best. They stock all sorts from famous furniture designers and makers, so come here for your fix of modern designers. 24. OchreOchre's focus is on interiors and making beautiful pieces that work with the rooms you've already established at home. Their main focus is on what everyone calls 'discreet glamour' - that's to say it's stylish and sleek, without being too in your face about it. 25. Heal'sOriginally the brainchild of John Harris Heal in the early 19th century, Heal's has come far since its early days celebrating all things French. Today, they focus on the best of British, and all of their designs are fresh, modern, and incredibly on trend. ConclusionThat's it: the most famous furniture designers of years gone by and the most influential businesses in the game today! Hopefully, you've found this list helpful if you're looking for some new inspiration when jazzing up your own home! The Most Famous Furniture Designers was originally published to HD365 from Homes Direct 365 | Blog - Feed https://www.homesdirect365.co.uk/blog/2022/02/famous-furniture-designers-makers/ via Blogger The Most Famous Furniture Designers Ever felt like you needed a full list of furniture designers and makers to understand their contributions to the furniture design world? Do you want a one-stop shop for names of furniture makers that have run a successful furniture business, created iconic furniture, or blurred the lines between artistic projects and design trends in furniture? What about finding out about modern British furniture design businesses? Well, you're in the right place, because here is where you'll find a compete list of furniture makers, furniture designers, and modern British businesses that have left (or will leave) their mark in history! Famous Furniture Makers and Designers1. Charles Rennie MackintoshCharles Rennie Mackintosh is a renowned Scottish designer known for his lucrative design career. He's known for his simple approach to design, mixing practical furniture with art - Asian art and Art nouveau specifically. His standout collection of simple, but stylish work is credited as being the beginning of the Modernist Movement design trend. 2. Le CorbusierLe Corbusier (a Swiss-French architect) worked in architecture and furniture, and brought elements of both to his work. As an architect, he was famous for his contributions to large pieces of architecture in France and India (Indian states Punjab and Haryana specifically). His name amongst architects is well known. But it was the way this architect brought elements of architecture to his furniture designs that made him so famous. Working with Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret, they launched standout pieces (namely lounge chairs) in 1928 when he started his furniture company. 3. Charlotte PerriandAlthough initially refused to assist Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand later became an integral part of his furniture design studio, and stamped her name firmly on the furniture design scene in her own right. She is accredited with working alongside Le Corbusier on a series of light chairs that proved to be popular - specifically the Grand Confort. This is a fine example of her architecture and furniture designs blending into a beautiful piece. After leaving Corbusier's studio in 1937, she continued her own practice with her furniture design business. 4. Frank Lloyd WrightFrank Lloyd Wright was a renowned architect known for his craftsmanship and innovative architectural projects. But it was his work as a furniture designer in later life that really brought his style to the forefront. His work with natural materials did away with traditional techniques and instead he focussed on blending exterior and interior in interior design, blending art and industrial design too. This forward thinking style made him not only a prominent architect, but one of the most impressive furniture designers too. 5. Marcel BreuerMarcel Breuer started his own furniture design company in 1946 in the USA, with Bauhaus roots in art. His work was amazing, but only after he developed the Wassily chair did he really become famous. They were bold, yet light, and were a clean break from other design trends that had come before. 6. Vico MagistrettiVico Magistretti is widely regarded as one of the leading Italian furniture designers, although he actually began his career in industrial design in Milan. It was during the 1950s that he transitioned to join the furniture designers, and even today, his pieces are some of the most iconic furniture in the world. 7. Charles and Ray EamesCharles and Ray Eames were essentially a power couple amongst interior designers, having dabbled in almost every artistic pursuit. With pieces such as their Eames lounge and ottoman chairs that rival even modern works today, they rightly earned their place as designers that will go down in history. 8. Arne JacobsenThe Eames' influenced many designers throughout their interior designer and furniture designer careers, but none more so than Danish furniture designer Arne Jacobsen. Their influence is clear in his infamous egg chair. This iconic egg shaped chair is still as modern today as it ever was. The egg chair has earned its place in design history, for its quality, style, and ability to complement even modern works. 9. Oscar NiemeyerOscar Niemeyer was one of the most prolific interior designers. Based in Brazil, he had plenty of notable pieces, including the Rio Lounge Chair, but there were many more besides. He proved that quality could remain with every chair, table, or other piece of furniture he made, regardless of how many pieces he produced. Living to 104 years old, this great man contributed a lot to the modern furniture design we see today. 10. Florence Knoll BassettIt was upon meeting her husband, Hans Knoll, that she moved from architect extraordinaire to furniture designer. Together they ran a company specialising in furniture design. When Hans Knoll sadly passed away, it was left to Bassett to drive the company onwards - and she certainly did, making her company one of the most successful in the world throughout the 1950s and 60s. It was her use of space and contemporary design techniques that made her so famous, because nobody thought of space as a design feature in quite the same way Florence Knoll Bassett did. 11. Jens RisomJens Risom actually worked with Florence Knoll in 1941, but he made a name for himself amongst interior designers and makers. His work is often seen as perfect examples of the mid-century modern style, and his most famous chair of all was simply a birch chair (he favoured wood in his designs, given how well they work with interiors) with spare parachute strings attached. He made use of these materials because they were the only materials readily available after the war - showing his considerable craftsmanship. 12. MiesLudwig Mies van der Rohe (Mies, more commonly) was mostly known for his architect business, but he had 2 major contributions to the world of design. His infamous Barcelona chair and Brno chair were copied the world over after breaking on the scene. After he had created these two fine examples, his contribution to furniture largely ended. Although once you've developed two pieces so widely recognised, why would you carry on? 13. Philippe StarckPhilippe Starck is best known for his industrial designs and work with buildings in Japan, France, and the USA - but he diversified too. After shifting his focus to interiors, Starck made multiple contributions to design through his company, Starck Product (or Ubik). 14. George NakashimaGeorge Nakashima was a skilled architect and maker, specifically known for his 'free edge' style. He worked with wood and created many different interesting pieces, making him famous in the world of design. One example that springs to mind is his infamous coffee table - a rustic wooden, free edged table sitting on a cedar stump. Stylish. Innovative. Natural. 15. Giovanni PontiGio Ponti was a design-focussed individual that understood interiors implicity. His ability to design modern furniture blended with architecture was almost unrivalled. He had multiple works, including famous chests of drawers, mirrors, and even a table whose simple wooden design and curved shape has been copied time and again. 16. Sam MaloofSam Maloof was infamous in the 1950s for his chairs. Often wooden, these pieces took on a life of their own. Likened to sculptures, or like something out of a painting, these chairs were known for their stunning curves and interesting designs. But more than that, they were ergonomic, and some of the most comfortable seats you could find anywhere! 17. Gustav StickleyGustav is known for his craftsman approach to his work, making every piece unique and special in the way he approached it. He even founded a magazine called 'The Craftsman' to highlight how important this natural, modest design approach was. It garnered some attention too, making him one of the most influential and successful designers of all. 18. Yves KleinYves Klein is known for one thing above everything else: Table IKB (or the infamous cocktail table). Although this one piece is amazing, everything about it describes his approach to all his designs, as well as the table itself. It's minimal, simple, and elegant. It's pop art and modern, basic, but fun. But above all else, it's ridiculously stylish. 19. Vladimir KaganKnown for his 'Serpentine Sofa', Kagan rightly stands proud amongst the top designers of the 20th century. All his work was very respectful of the era he worked in - curves, soft colours, exciting lines. All of that applies to the Serpentine Sofa, and all the other work he produced too. 20. Josef HoffmanHis Club 1910 chair with its dark leather, deep cushion, and wide arms is a design signature of his that's almost like an autograph. Although easily his most famous piece, Hoffman developed a range of upholstered chairs that still remain popular today, making him a very well respected and much missed maker. British designers and businessesTo finish, we thought we'd give you a closer look at some of the best British designers and businesses in the design and furniture game. And no, not all of them are London based as you'd expect (although some, of course, are). 21. SwyftKnown for their beautiful sofas that fit into any space, Swyft is a pretty big business right now when it comes to furniture. Fast delivery, an amazing selection, and all the help you could need when deciding what's right for your home - this is a great British option. 22. The Dining Chair CompanyYou'd expect them to know their way around a chair given their name, and they do! With everything from golden oldies to new pieces that are modern and stylish, this business really ticks all the boxes if you're looking for something fun and fresh for your home. 23. LinleyFounded by David Snowdon (nee Linley) in 1985, this is already a well-established place to come when looking to freshen up your interiors. As far as British furniture goes, if it isn't stocked at Linley, then it probably isn't the best of the best. They stock all sorts from famous furniture designers and makers, so come here for your fix of modern designers. 24. OchreOchre's focus is on interiors and making beautiful pieces that work with the rooms you've already established at home. Their main focus is on what everyone calls 'discreet glamour' - that's to say it's stylish and sleek, without being too in your face about it. 25. Heal'sOriginally the brainchild of John Harris Heal in the early 19th century, Heal's has come far since its early days celebrating all things French. Today, they focus on the best of British, and all of their designs are fresh, modern, and incredibly on trend. ConclusionThat's it: the most famous furniture designers of years gone by and the most influential businesses in the game today! Hopefully, you've found this list helpful if you're looking for some new inspiration when jazzing up your own home! The following blog post The Most Famous Furniture Makers is courtesy of https://www.homesdirect365.co.uk/ from Homes Direct 365 | Blog - Feed https://www.homesdirect365.co.uk/blog/2022/02/famous-furniture-makers/ via Blogger The Most Famous Furniture Makers To understand Feng Shui, you have to understand more than just mirror placement and the way that the mirror reflects based on where you hang mirrors in your home. There are Feng Shui rules. Rules that affect negative energy, positive energy, energy flow, and encompass all the elements. Fire energy, the water element, earth element - they all play a part in Feng Shui mirror placement. But don't worry, today we'll give you a comprehensive guide to Feng Shui mirror placement to help, not only with the exact placement of your mirrors, but to also help you understand the rules and stop you from breaking them. What is Feng Shui?Before we think about mirror placement, let's just talk about what good Feng Shui is, and how it can affect the feel of your home. Basically, these are your Feng Shui guidelines and they'll affect everything in your home, including where to hang mirrors later. Feng Shui is an ancient belief system of Chinese origin. It's based on the movement of Qi, an omnipresent energy that moves from one place to another and can be categorised as either auspicious or inauspicious. Auspicious Qi is what you're aiming for - it's where the energy in your home moves at a moderate pace - not too lively, or too slowly. This is good Feng Shui. Inauspicious Qi is lively or slow, and it means your home has a feeling of chaos or stagnation, which isn't a good look, and is NOT good Feng Shui. Nowadays, Feng Shui is most often associated with interior design. And whilst yes, it certainly helps with interior design because following Feng Shui principles means your rooms will look great, it's the movement of energy that's really the most important thing in Feng Shui - not how a room looks, but rather how it feels. Why is Feng Shui Important With Mirrors?Feng Shui doesn't just tell you about Qi and leave you to work it out for yourself, though. There are many helpful Feng Shui tips and tricks that can help improve the feel of your home. Placing mirrors is one of them. Mirrors are associated with the water element, whilst Qi is associated with air. Water elements can pool Qi, either slowing down the movement or speeding it up as necessary by multiplying the energy. That's why Feng Shui mirror placement is so important. And following Feng Shui guidelines on this matter could be the difference between your home feeling calm and balanced, or chaotic and unbalanced. Feng Shui mirror: Where to Place ThemBecause there are so many rules around Feng Shui mirror placement, it'll be much easier for you to use this guide to be able to understand the rules as they pertain to each room of the house. So, to make things easier, here are all the areas where Feng Shui mirror placement is vital in your home:
There are also some general Feng Shui do's and Feng Shui don'ts when you come to hang a mirror, so we'll cover those first before looking at individual rooms and explaining the best way to hang mirrors to get the right Feng Shui mirror placement room by room. Feng Shui Mirror Do'sThe first thing you need to know is that square mirrors and rectangular mirrors are often considered the best. It doesn't matter if it's a wall mirror, standing mirror, large mirror, small mirrors, or antique mirrors - square and rectangular are always best because they capture Qi better, according to Feng Shui traditions. Second, when you hang a mirror, as a wall mirror, make sure it is at least 4-5 ft off the ground. Third, hang mirrors only on a North wall or East wall, and make sure it's a solid wall. Hang mirror on a West wall or South wall, and you'll invite negative energy. You also need to think about how a mirror reflects. That means you'll need to keep your mirror reflecting to the best of its ability at all times - yes, you'll need to clean them regularly to promote negative energy leaving your home, and inviting positive energy in. In addition, you should also think about hanging mirrors where they can reflect beautiful views from outdoors. There are some exceptions to this rule we'll cover later, but generally, if the view outside your home is natural, i.e. trees to invite the wood element, plants and flowers to invite earth energy etc., then you should reflect that into your home. Anything unnatural or manmade shouldn't be reflected though, as this is considered negative in Feng Shui. Things like telephone wires, lampposts, etc. Always think about how a mirror adds light and movement to the space, too. Qi can work with your mirror to bring more positivity. Finally, consider using Bagua mirrors - if you're unsure what a Bagua mirror is, don't worry, we'll have a section near the end that explains it all, and it's really important you read it, because the wrong placement of a Bagua mirror could spell disaster for the balance of Qi in your home. Feng Shui Mirror Don'tsNEVER hang mirrors so they face doors. Mirrors facing doors welcome negative energy and send positive energy away. When standing in any doorway of your house, you shouldn't be able to see a mirror. Don't buy oval or oddly shaped mirrors unless advised by a Feng Shui mirror expert. Placing a mirror of this shape will not allow Qi to flow properly around the home. Avoid placing mirrors on a West wall or South wall, because a North wall or East wall is best. You should never hang a mirror within 5ft of entering your home, as this invites Qi to leave again the moment it enters. Never use an unframed mirror, because when you hang a mirror like this, it's not able to control Qi as it should. You should avoid placing mirrors in a position where the mirror reflects dirty drains, poisoned arrows, sharp corners, clutter, toilet seats, dustbins, or tv screen (a tv screen should also be covered when not in use to avoid it acting like a mirror). Avoid hanging mirrors at a height that cuts off the top of the tallest household member's head when the mirror reflects their reflection. You should throw out antique mirrors that are damaged, and all broken mirrors, for that matter. Damaged antique mirrors and broken mirrors will fragment yourself, making you feel disordered and broken too. Mirrors facing each other are a big no. One mirror opposite another welcomes chaotic, negative energy into the home. A mirror reflecting another mirror in any way is never a good idea. You should never place two mirrors facing one another. Two mirrors that are on the wall opposite to one another breeds negativity. Think about it. If the two mirrors can reflect and multiply negativity, then more chaos will be created with them both playing off one another. Two mirrors in the same room is generally a bad idea anyway, unless advised by a Feng Shui expert to help with energy flow. Avoid mirror leaning forward when you hang a mirror. Flat mirrors against a solid wall are best, because leaning forward invites negative Qi. Window glass should be translucent, not transparent in panes and doors, to avoid energy flowing out of the home. And finally, mirrored tiles and mirrored ceilings should be avoided. That's because these mirrored tiles and ceilings distort your image and the image of your home, making you and your living space feel fragmented. Feng Shui Mirror Placement Room by RoomNow that we've covered the general Feng Shui mirror do's and don'ts, we can move on to the room specific advice. Follow these tips for good Feng Shui in each room, meaning good Feng Shui and energy flow across your entire house! Dining RoomYour dining room is an important place to start. In Chinese culture, the dining room is a central meeting point for home life, and the right energy flow here is important. You want your dining room Feng Shui to be calm, but not too calm as you want it to be the hub of your home too. Thinking about what your mirror reflects can help turn your dining room into the perfect spot! 1. Your Dining Room Will LOVE MirrorsYour dining room represents the 'vault' of your wealth in Feng Shui. That means the dining room is where you show your wealth - based on the abundance of food on the table, and the love surrounding it. Now think for a moment about why a mirror reflecting your dining room table is a good idea. If your dining room is the vault, then your dining table is the heart of that vault. If your mirror reflects your dining table, then it brings in more light, makes the space feel larger, and ultimately multiplies your wealth! There's a caveat, though. Hang a mirror facing your dining table, and that doesn't mean you'll attract more wealth. Rather, a mirror facing your dining table means you'll appreciate your wealth more. So, a large mirror is still a good idea here from a Feng Shui perspective, even if it won't bring more wealth your way. 2. Avoid Mirrors Opposite WindowsWhen you place a mirror in your dining room, make sure it faces the dining table, but NOT the window. A mirror facing a window in your dining room specifically is a bad idea (that's the exception to the rule we mentioned earlier about reflecting nature into your home), so avoid mirrors doing this where you can. Your mirror inside is capable of bringing negative energy from the outside world in. Your mirror inside acts as a magnet to energy, so whilst a mirror facing the window might bring in more light, it won't be all it's bringing in. The last thing you want to do is bring negative Qi into your dining area and be punished for placing mirrors poorly. This might also mean you'll need to think carefully about where you hang a mirror in your dining area to avoid placing it on a West wall or South wall too, so pick the North wall or East wall that faces the dining table, but without facing a window. KitchenKitchens are naturally chaotic sorts of places. There isn't always natural light, it's often very hot, and there's always the risk of dirty drains, which, we know from earlier, should never be reflected when you place mirrors. So, can you place mirrors in your kitchen? Well, the answer might surprise you... 1. Mirrors in the Kitchen is a No-NoYou'll want to place mirrors elsewhere, because to hang a mirror in your kitchen is poor Feng Shui. That chaotic energy we talked about above won't just disappear when you hang a mirror - no, it'll multiply. The more you reflect a chaotic scene, the more chaos there will be. In short, chaos breeds chaos when it comes to mirrors and Feng Shui. You should avoid mirrors in your kitchen because there's too much potential for negativity:
Amplifying these sorts of negative Qi is not good, and it'll turn your kitchen into a really negative, chaotic space. Hang a mirror elsewhere, but not in your kitchen! 2. There is ONE ExceptionYes, it's bad Feng Shui to have a mirror in your kitchen, especially if it's on the opposite wall to your stove. However, you can place your mirror next to your stove, so it isn't on the opposite wall, but only in very special circumstances. First, make sure your stove isn't on a South wall or West wall - the North wall and East wall rule will still apply. Even though we're breaking another Feng Shui rule by allowing you to hang a mirror in the kitchen, there's a good reason for it! OK, if your stove isn't on a West or South wall, then you can place a mirror next to it, but only if your stove faces away from the kitchen door. If your back is to the kitchen door whilst cooking, then you can use a mirror. Some claim that to place mirrors like this isn't really Feng Shui, so much as it is common sense - it's a good idea to see what's behind you at all times. Either way, placing mirrors opposite stoves is the biggest no-go, so if you can place it next to the stove to see behind you when you cook, that isn't such a bad idea, especially if it makes you feel more comfortable and positive whilst cooking. Restroom/BathroomLike a kitchen, restrooms and bathrooms are complicated spaces when it comes to Feng Shui and the movement of Qi around your home. Bathrooms create negative Qi, and without putting too fine a point on it, it's because that's where we dispel our waste. A space that's designed for ridding ourselves of things we don't need is always going to create that negative sort of energy we're trying to avoid. But can we use mirrors to reflect that energy away, or is it the case that mirrors in the bathroom will create even more negativity - like the kitchen? 1. In Bathrooms, Mirrors Breed More Negative EnergyThat's right, in traditional Feng Shui, a mirror shouldn't be found in the bathroom at all. That's because a mirror will only reflect and multiply the negative Qi. Is that practical today, though? Most of us use a mirror to brush our teeth in the bathroom, so of course, many of us will need to use one for practical reasons. If you're sticking to traditional Feng Shui rules, though, you shouldn't. However, if you feel you must, then there is a way of hanging a mirror in your bathroom to stop the negativity from amplifying and ruining the Feng Shui of the rest of your house... 2. Mirror Placement is VITALOK, so if you've decided to place a mirror in your bathroom for practical reasons, then there's one key thing you need to know. NEVER place your mirror so it looks at the toilet. From a Feng Shui perspective, it'll amplify the amount of negative Qi - since this is where you're dispelling waste, you don't want a mirror to be able to reflect that wasteful energy around the rest of your home and make the spaces elsewhere flow less well. But also, from just a human perspective, it's never comfortable to use a toilet if you can look yourself in the eye whilst doing so. So, if you must put a mirror in the bathroom, maybe think about placing it on the same wall as your toilet so it isn't on the wall opposite and reflecting the toilet. 3. Mirrors in a Bathroom Should Never be in DarknessThis rule actually helps you a lot if you're thinking about mirror placement in a bathroom. That's because, if you really need a mirror in your bathroom, then you should consider hanging it on the outside of your bathroom door. That's because the outside of your bathroom door will rarely be in darkness, whereas any mirror on the inside of the bathroom often will. The reason behind this darkness rule is that darkness is often associated with negative Qi. Given that your bathroom is already a place that attracts negative Qi, leaving a bathroom mirror in darkness is not a good idea, because it'll just breed more negativity. Placing your mirror on the outside of the door is a great idea when it comes to using the bathroom, too. If the mirror is on the outside of your bathroom door, then it can't reflect you when you close it to use the toilet. But, when you need to brush your teeth or fix your hair, then the bathroom door doesn't need to be closed, you can leave it open, and still use the mirror. This is probably the best placement for your bathroom mirror when sticking to strict Feng Shui rules. 4. No Mirror in Your Home Should Reflect the Bathroom DoorFinally, every other mirror in your house should never reflect the bathroom door. First, because if you choose to hang the mirror on the outside of the bathroom door, then that would mean the two mirrors are facing one another and we already know that's not something you should do. And second, because the bathroom is a private place that shouldn't be seen by others, even if the door is closed. The negative Qi that breeds in a bathroom will only spread around your house if other mirrors reflect the bathroom door, so avoid this at all costs. BedroomA bedroom is where you sleep, so you'd think that it would be a place of calm, positive energy that you'd want to double with mirrors, right? Well, mirrors in your bedroom are a little more complicated when it comes to Feng Shui... 1. Some Say to Avoid Mirrors in the Bedroom at All CostsTo some, bedrooms, like bathrooms, are private places for private matters, and reflecting that around your home isn't a good idea. Negative Qi isn't really something to worry about with a bedroom, but it is still a private place that you might occupy alone or share with one other person. Either way, it's your own sanctuary away from the rest of your home - the rest of the world. If you place a mirror in your sanctuary, then it kind of defeats the point. 2. If You Must Use a Mirror, NEVER Allow it to Reflect the BedIf there's one thing all Feng Shui experts and practisers agree on, though, it's that if there is a mirror in the bedroom, it should never reflect the bed. Why people say that differs slightly, but the basic point is the same: it will only invite chaos into your life. Here are some common explanations as to why placing a mirror in your bedroom across from your bed is a bad idea:
Any of these explanations is reason enough to avoid reflecting your bed. But the bed is the main furniture in your bedroom, so how do you avoid it? To clear things up now, a mirror should never be hung behind your bed either, because it can store negative energy above your head whilst sleeping, which will only make for an even more disturbed night's sleep. So where can you put a mirror in the bedroom if you need one? 3. Use Your Closet DoorsCloset doors are brilliant ways of hiding mirrors and guaranteeing they won't reflect the bed. By hanging a mirror on the inside of your closet door, you'll be able to keep the door closed when you're in bed, and only open the closet door to use the mirror when absolutely necessary. There is a word of warning from Feng Shui experts here, though. Make sure your closet is organised, or else the disorder inside will be reflected by the mirror and amplify the negative Qi in the rest of your home, upsetting the balance of energy and making your bedroom feel like it's a place of distress, too. Living RoomWhen it comes to your living room, there are mixed messages again. We suppose that's because Feng Shui is all about the balance of energy, and different Feng Shui experts come down on different sides of the argument with the best way to balance energy in your home. Even though mirrors in the living room is a hotly contested debate, it's still worth knowing the different arguments so you can decide for yourself if a mirror in your living room is right for you. 1. Arguments for Mirrors in Your Living RoomIf you want to place a mirror in your living room, then you'll find many experts who will tell you to go ahead and do it. That's because, at parties and social gatherings in your living room, a mirror will reflect the scene and double the positive energy. Not only that, but it will also double the amount of guests (because of the reflection) and make your living room feel more festive and welcoming for others. Also, a living room is usually the room with the best views of the outdoors in your house. If your living room is overlooking a natural scene, then using your mirror to reflect that into your home is a great way of inviting better energy into your living room. 2. Arguments Against Mirrors in Your Living RoomFor others, though, placing a mirror in your living room is never a good idea. That's because a mirror will reflect and amplify the energy in the room. If that energy is positive, then that's great. But if that energy is negative, well, that's a different story... Many Feng Shui experts point to the fact that your living room is your entertaining space - the place your guests will visit the most. By hanging a mirror here, you'll reflect whatever energy they bring with them, and we all know that sometimes guests don't come in good moods. Sometimes they're sad, angry, or hurt, and if you have a mirror in the room that can reflect that, then your whole Qi balance at home can be shifted negatively. Of course, you could just be stricter about who you invite into your home, but turning away a friend in need because you don't want to upset your Feng Shui might be fine for your Qi, but it won't sit right with your karma... 3. One Rule You Should Never BreakEven those in favour of mirrors in your living room agree that a mirror over your sofa is a bad idea. First, sofas should be against a wall according to Feng Shui to increase security - basically, you'll always know who is coming if your back is to the wall when you're sitting on a sofa. By placing a mirror behind you, you remove that security because you're reflecting things behind your head that you can't see. Another explanation is that a mirror is able to pool energy, and if that energy is negative, then you'll literally spend your whole day with a sort of negative cloud above your head on the sofa. That's not good for Feng Shui, and it won't be good for your mood either. So, whatever you do, never hang a mirror behind your sofa if you're going to have one in the living room. Foyer and Front DoorPlacing a mirror in your foyer and by your front door is often a good idea. It's the main door to your house, and so you're always coming and going from this point. A mirror by the front door means you can check that you look OK one last time before leaving. Even if your foyer is small, a small mirror on a small wall is still something we like to have for one last quick look at ourselves. And actually, Feng Shui experts encourage mirrors by the main door to your home and in the foyer, but only if you stick to certain rules... 1. Never Reflect the Front DoorJust like how the main door to your home is our entrance and exit points, your front door is the same for Qi. You can attract all the good energy and Qi you like, but if your mirror is reflecting the main door to your home, then you'll reflect any Qi out your front door, because it isn't welcoming it. Instead, place your mirror on a wall perpendicular to your front door. When it's on a wall perpendicular to it, the Qi won't be reflected right out the front door as before, and you'll be able to benefit from the positive Qi. Also, remember the general rule from earlier of avoiding placing any mirror within 5ft of your front door. If you have a small foyer, then this may not be possible, but try to keep mirrors as far away from your front door as possible, and make sure it isn't reflecting it. 2. Think About Your Sliding DoorThis won't be applicable to everyone, but a lot of people have a sliding door right next to their entrance door because it's convenient for moving large objects in and out of the house. Even if you don't use this sliding door often, it's still an entrance door for Qi, and so mirrors shouldn't reflect this either. The general rule from earlier about mirrors not reflecting doors in your home applies to the entrance points, as well as all internal doors. Staircases and HallwaysThe last important spaces in your home that must be thought about carefully for Feng Shui and mirror placement are your staircases and your hallways. A narrow staircase or small hallway could be made to feel bigger with a mirror or two (so long as they aren't facing), but what do Feng Shui experts suggest? Let's deal with staircases first. 1. Placing Your Mirror on a StaircaseIf your staircase is narrow, then a mirror isn't just a good idea, it's a necessity. According to Feng Shui, a narrow staircase diminishes fortune and abundance, so will attract more negative Qi to your home. To tackle this, a mirror placed on the staircase can make the staircase feel much wider than it really is. This then welcomes more fortune and abundance than before, and stops the spread of negative Qi. If your staircase is quite wide already, though, then a mirror will probably have the opposite effect. Instead of attracting more abundance and fortune, it'll actually cut the positive Qi and stop it from spreading to the rest of your house. This is likely because, in Chinese culture, bragging or showiness is a bad thing. So, if you already have a wide staircase inviting abundance and fortune, then a mirror trying to attract more isn't a good look and will mess with your Feng Shui balance. 2. Placing your Mirror in a HallwayYour hallways are natural travel routes in your home, taking you from place to place. Without hallways, your home wouldn't flow. And what works for humans works for Qi. That means Qi travels around your home through hallways too, and many people forget that. So, to help with the flow of Qi around your home, hallways should absolutely have a mirror or two. There is one key rule when placing a mirror in your hallways, though, and that's to make sure your mirror is never at the end of a hallway looking down it. A mirror on the side walls is fine and will help with flow, but a mirror staring straight down the hallway is a bad idea. This is because the Qi will be slowed by the mirror, and many believe that it's a very unwelcoming sign, so it might not just slow your Qi, but stop it flowing altogether. That could mean you end up with balanced Qi downstairs, for example, but no Qi upstairs because a mirror at the end of your hallway is sending it away. So, place them on the sidewalls, by all means, to help Qi flow around your home, but never place a mirror at the end of the hallway. Feng Shui Mirror Room by Room Round-UpThat brings us to the end of room-specific advice for mirror placement in Feng Shui. Just remember the general do's and don'ts of Feng Shui, so you don't accidentally break one of the rules, and then follow the advice in this guide room by room to make sure your Qi is balanced at home. However, right near the start we said you should try to use Bagua mirrors in your home, and a Bagua mirror is really important in Feng Shui, so we'll explain that below. Bagua Mirrors ExplainedA Bagua mirror is a protective amulet used to send negative Qi and poison arrows away from your home. It is by far the most powerful mirror in Feng Shui, and it's used to depict the Former Heaven Sequence or Early Heaven Sequence. You can find a Bagua mirror here and there that depicts the Later Heaven Sequence in Chinese Feng Shui, but really, it's the early version you want to protect your home from the worst kinds of Qi. A Bagua mirror has 8 trigrams around its octagon or round shape, and these trigrams represent 8 different directions:
This is important because when negative Qi arrives at your Bagua mirror, it is dispersed in any one of these directions, or reflected back at the source. Either way, your home is protected. It might seem like a good idea to invest in a Bagua mirror to protect your home, but there are a few rules you'll need to follow too. 1. Bagua is About More Than Just MirrorsBefore we talk about Bagua mirror placement, we just wanted to remind you that Bagua is about more than that. It's about your whole home and how it relates to different aspects of your life. You can often find and use a Bagua map to help make this clearer, so you understand how each room (and the direction it's facing: North, East, South, etc.) affects your life. 2. A Bagua Mirror Should Never be Placed IndoorsA Bagua mirror is incredibly powerful. To place one indoors is a dangerous thing and can often lead to unrivalled chaos in your home. Only if directly instructed to place a Bagua mirror indoors by a Feng Shui expert should you do it. And this will only be given as advice in exceptional circumstances because Qi is struggling to flow properly around your home, or there is so much stagnant, negative Qi in your home already that regular mirrors just won't do it. But unless directly told to place a Bagua mirror inside, avoid it. Besides that, it's best to place a Bagua mirror above your front door outside. This helps keep the worst negative Qi away from your home and stops it from entering. This is definitely recommended if you have something negative directly facing your front door too, such as the sharp corners of a roof, or a lamppost, for example. Remember, these welcome negative Qi, so anything you can do to stop it from entering your home is a good idea. 3. Convex Mirrors Matter in BaguaWhen a Bagua mirror is convex (that is to say, it curves outwards) it can reflect negative Qi away. When it hits the mirror, it is simply reflected elsewhere, so it's unable to enter your home. However, some Feng Shui experts will warn against using a convex mirror because it can reflect negative Qi away from your home but into your neighbours, which isn't ethical. This can obviously cause upset if your neighbour practices Feng Shui too and recognises the convex Bagua mirror as a problem for them and their Feng Shui in their home. In general, then, it's best to avoid using a convex Bagua mirror where possible. 4. What About a Concave Mirror?If the Bagua mirror is concave (curves inwards) then it actually absorbs and neutralises the negative Qi. That means it won't reflect it on your neighbours or anywhere else, for that matter. Thi is a much more ethical way of dealing with negative Qi. Think about it. If you're able to absorb the negative Qi, then not only is it not going to upset your neighbour's Feng Shui, but it also won't be out in the world to affect anybody else either, so really a concave Bagua mirror can only be a good thing. A concave Bagua mirror is best when it depicts the Former Heaven Sequence too, as Feng Shui experts suggest it not only absorbs negative Qi. But stops it coming in your home but welcomes positive Qi too. 5. A Warning About a Flat Bagua MirrorThere are some people who claim a flat Bagua mirror is best. According to them, a flat mirror is able to both reflect negative Qi and attract positive Qi. However, many Feng Shui experts would still always suggest using a concave Bagua mirror over anything else, as it still has the power to absorb negative energies and stop them from spreading elsewhere. Others are sceptical of a flat Bagua mirror anyway because traditionally these mirrors were always made of either convex or concave mirrors. So, if you want to stick to traditional Feng Shui advice, stick with a concave Bagua. Feng Shui Mirror Takeaway MessageThat brings us to the end of our Feng Shui mirror guide. You can always head back here to read through the guide whenever you need to in the future. Remember the general do's and don'ts that apply to your entire house, and then check out the room by room guide to help with mirror placement in your home. The general rules should always be kept in mind first because these are the Feng Shui rules that impact the rest of the advice people give about Feng Shui. However, room-by-room guidance is often a good way to think practically about how these rules apply so you can make sure your home is flowing as it should. And, of course, don't forget to use a concave Bagua mirror on the outside of your home above your front door to absorb negative Qi before it enters your home. This is the most ethical way of using a Bagua mirror, and Feng Shui experts will always suggest concave mirrors over convex or flat ones for this reason. If you follow the advice in this guide, stick to the Feng Shui principles and think carefully about your mirrors, and you should find your home is balanced with auspicious Qi that'll bring a sense of calm and positivity to your home. This will then mean your home is more inviting to guests and more comfortable for you, which is ultimately what Feng Shui aims to achieve. A home can look stylish, but without the proper balance and flow of energy, it won't feel like a place people can congregate comfortably. So, stick to the advice in this guide, and you'll soon see that your home is a much more positive place to be! The post Feng Shui Mirror is republished from https://www.homesdirect365.co.uk/ from Homes Direct 365 | Blog - Feed https://www.homesdirect365.co.uk/blog/2022/02/feng-shui-mirror/ via Blogger Feng Shui Mirror Thinking about the history of mirrors might not have been something you've done before, but they've had a very fascinating history. Even today, we use small mirrors made of glass in scientific equipment to help us make some of the most amazing discoveries - but you might not have realised that the foundations for this were made in the early middle ages. So today, we'll take you through everything you need to know about the history of mirrors, from earlier glass mirrors, to polished stone mirrors and polished metal mirrors (including polished copper, bronze mirrors, silver mirrors, etc.), all the way to the mirror making process of modern mirrors today. Are you ready to learn about far more than just the glass mirrors we're used to? Then let's get started! What is a Mirror?Before we get started talking about mirrors, where they were first found, and the different ways cultures viewed them, we thought it'd be a good idea to explore what exactly a mirror is. Well, a mirror can be either curved or flat (flat mirrors are more useful for us in our everyday lives, but mirrors that are curved can be helpful, too, especially in instruments like telescopes). They're usually made of glass, and have a reflective coating made of metal applied to it to make them reflect light and show us our mirror image. But How Do Mirrors Work?Without getting too science-y, because we're interested in history today, mirrors work by reflecting light back at you. When you stand in front of a mirror, light hits you, and it reflects off of you in a very haphazard and disorderly way. That means the light travels in all directions - and some, when standing in front of a mirror, will reflect directly at the mirror in front of you. The light then travels through the glass mirror and hits the metal reflective surface behind. Those light rays then travel back at us, allowing us to see our mirror image in the mirror in front of us. Pretty easy, right? But what happens when the surface of the mirror isn't flat? The Three Types of MirrorThere are plane mirrors, concave mirrors, and convex mirrors, and they all react differently when light hits them.
Why is all of this relevant? Because when you explore the history of mirrors, it's important to remember that everything we know now wasn't known before. We only understand the different effects of the mirror's shape now because of years of research and observation. That means, when people thousands of years ago created mirrors, they wouldn't have had this information. As you read the rest of today's post, keep this in mind. People reacting with fear to mirrors in ancient times might seem odd, but if you found yourself accidentally looking at yourself in a concave mirror for the first time, you might think you were looking at a monster, too, not a distorted reflection of yourself... So, the history of mirrors - let's get started, shall we? Mirrors in the Ancient WorldRather than producing mirrors, people in the ancient world likely used natural mirrors, such as water collected in a vessel, to create a small mirror. Nature was the true inventor of the looking glass by giving us water with reflective properties. This is where the idea that we could create mirrors came from in the first place - by observing the world around us and using the reflective properties of water to our advantage. Of course, they don't work as well as the flat surface glass mirrors we use today, but that's because they relied on natural reflective surfaces back then, unaware of how uneven surface mirrors, such as water in a vessel, distorted their own reflection. (Remember the concave and convex mirrors we talked about above). Thankfully, people soon realised that keeping water in vessels was not a permanent solution, and they began exploring ways of producing mirrors that were a little more durable. The First Produced MirrorsAnatoliaThe first mirrors were found in Anatolia (modern day Turkey) dating back to 6000 BC, according to vision scientist Dr Jay Enoch, published in the vision science journal. These mirrors were made from polished stone, such as naturally occurring volcanic glass polished obsidian mirrors. The surface roughness made them much poorer quality than mirrors we might expect today, but they certainly did their job. Polishing the obsidian helped, and there are examples of how obsidian can be polished to a give it some amazing reflective properties. The only downside to obsidian is that it's black, so whilst the surface could be polished to reflect light better, it still wasn't a perfect solution. The black colour made the image reflecting back at its user much darker, and seeing things clearly wasn't always possible. There have been many obsidian mirrors found in central Turkey, mostly in the tombs of women, showing that perhaps mirrors were mostly important to women during this time. Central and South AmericaSuch mirrors, made of polished stone, have been found since, including in Central and South America, dating from around 2000 BC, showing how far-reaching the idea of manufacturing mirrors was during these ancient times. The idea that, back then, mirror making ideas involving polished stone (such as volcanic glass) were spreading from modern day Turkey to Central and South America is fascinating, and shows that mirror makers were in high demand. But the likelihood of different creators of mirrors meeting up somehow and discussing their methods isn't entirely plausible. Perhaps then, it's of cultural significance to think that people in lands hundreds of miles apart still worked to find ways of creating mirrors so they could look at themselves. Maybe there's a base human need there? But we'll come back to that thought later... Copper MirrorsThere are more examples of mirrors that progress from the early polished stone mirrors, especially ones made of copper. Mesopotamians created polished metal mirrors made of copper in around 4000 BC, and the ancient Egyptians in ancient Egypt seemed to follow suit with polished copper mirrors in 3000 BC. These copper based mirrors weren't used like we use metal in mirrors today. Rather than glass sitting on top of the metal, these mirrors were just solid metal. No glass involved. They worked in much the same way as the polished stone example above - by polishing it well, the surface became more reflective, allowing you to see yourself in it. But the same problems around the colour of the metal and its effects on reflection remained. It wasn't just polished copper used in metal mirrors, though, and other metals were used too. Metal Mirrors in ChinaThere are a few examples of polished bronze being used as mirrors from China in 2000BC, but there are also examples of copper and tin speculum metal mirrors being used around this time, too. Speculum metals were precious, and so it is believed that back then, only the wealthiest people would have owned mirrors in China, especially of these high quality. Others may have relied on more primitive methods, or used some other, less permanent method of mirror production. What they were, we can't be entirely sure, however, because no such examples of other mirrors besides these metal ones can be found in China from around this time. Metal-Coated Early Glass MirrorsEarly mirror making techniques were eventually improved, and glass mirrors were being developed with metallic coatings. The way they were created differs greatly from our techniques for manufacturing mirrors today, but it was during the middle ages that mirror making really advanced. Really, it's here that we first see the idea of glass being used with metal behind to create mirrors that are truly reflective. As you'll see below, it differs from our approach today, but the basic idea that light can pass through glass, hit a reflective metal, and then show us our reflections is the same. Mirrors in the 1st Century AD and Middle AgesMirrors found in modern day Lebanon (then known as Sidon) used metallic coatings in the first century AD. These were the first mirrors that crudely resembled the ones we're used to today, and metal mirrors remained popular during this time. Gold leaf and lead were often the metal of choice to use as the coating on the glass, as these were readily available and highly reflective. The Romans eventually discovered how they could use blown glass mirrors (by blowing a glass bubble) to create a reflective surface, but they more closely resemble convex mirrors. Convex mirrors distort the face slightly, but these glass mirrors still proved popular around this time, as they were functional. Were they examples of a beautiful mirror? No, but they did their job - even if they didn't do them especially well. Finally, making mirrors was becoming more advanced. Mirrors weren't quite perfected yet, but people at this time were slowly starting to develop new manufacturing processes. Prior to discovering the glass blowing method, the Greco-Roman culture, throughout the middle ages, relied heavily on convex mirrors made of polished metal. Although still basic, the glass mirrors made using the blowing technique were far more practical. 16th Century Europe - Venetian MirrorAfter the middle ages, techniques weren't really developed further until the 16th century, where we saw the birth of the infamous venetian mirror. Venetian mirrors were developed in 16th century Venice, and they mark a turning point in the history of mirrors, as a new method of coating glass with a tin mercury amalgam was created. Using metal to coat glass to create mirrors wasn't a new idea, but the way the new metal amalgam could be applied was much more effective. And Venice soon became the home of manufactured mirrors because of their new way of applying a metal coating to the mirrors for a better effect. The result was that venetian mirrors soon became the best quality mirrors around, and the Saint-Gobain factory in France began using this new way of manufacturing mirrors, too, showing how the method was spreading as one of the more effective ways of getting the job done. Venice remained the go-to city for mirrors until the 17th century, when mirror production largely moved to London and Paris. The Importance of Mirror HandlesIt may seem odd to us now, but until the 17th and 18th centuries, the way a mirror looked wasn't particularly important. Only around this time did the handles of mirrors become important for decoration. Until then, mirrors were purely functional. That is, except in ancient Chinese culture, where the back of their speculum mirrors were inscribed with images of plants and animals, and messages translating to 'sunlight'. Clearly, in this culture, the decorative nature of objects was more important - even to the point of inscribing basic copper and speculum mirrors. Glass mirrors were still popular with the venetian method of coating, since no new method had been discovered, but handles were now being produced for style over function. Unearthed buried mirrors from around this time show handles made of ivory, tortoiseshell, ebony and silver. Manufactured mirrors by the 18th century were not only being made with handles of fine quality but also were being carved for decoration. Popular patterns included floral and classical ornaments. This marks another turning point in the mirror's long history, because no longer was it just about function, but style too, and many European cultures, especially, began using mirrors as decoration. The Invention of the Silvered Glass MirrorThe silvered glass mirror, using a thin layer of metallic silver to create a reflective surface, first began in 1835. They differed from the previous solid metal mirrors and glass-metal combinations we've been discussing today because of the thin layer of metal used. The silvered glass mirror is accredited to German chemist, Justus von Liebig. His method was quite complex, and far more advanced than any of the mirrors that came before him. A thin layer of metallic silver was put on to the clear glass through the chemical reduction of silver nature. Such mirrors changed the face of mirror production because only a small amount of silver was required, but the same light enhancing properties remained. It turned out that it wasn't about the amount of silver used to reflect light back at the mirror's user; even a small layer would suffice. Production sped up after this discovery, making mirrors far more affordable because they were more easily produced and less expensive to do so. Producing Mirrors TodayDid the very first mirrors impact upon our modern mirror making? Well, the primitive vessels and water of 6000 BC probably didn't impact upon our production methods today, but they played a part. It was von Liebig's invention in 1835 that truly resembles our production methods today. Instead of silver for the reflective coating, though, we now use aluminium or soda lime glass (although silver is still used for more expensive mirrors). Today, a thin layer of molten aluminium or silver is added to glass in a vacuum to create the reflective coating. This has meant that producing mirrors is faster than ever. Glass mirrors are still the norm today, and not much has changed on that front compared to the early Romans, but our method of producing these mirrors couldn't be more different. How a Glass Mirror Can Aid Technological AdvancesIt seems odd, doesn't it? That a glass mirror was born out of ancient times when someone decided to use water as a sort of mirror, but they were. Nowadays, a glass mirror offers more than just something to look at ourselves in. In fact, a glass mirror can be found in many different contraptions and inventions that we use to aid in our understanding of the universe, improve safety, and for our own entertainment. Here's just a few:
As you can see, the humble glass mirror adds a lot to our lives. Whether it's entertainment or technological, a glass mirror plays a big part. You might think that after reaching modern day mirrors and exploring how a glass mirror can improve multiple aspects of our lives, the story of mirrors would be over. But oh no, because the actual object of a mirror itself is only half the story... Mirrors and the Different Cultural PerceptionsMirrors are just objects until you place them in the context of different cultures to understand why developing mirrors was so important. Everything from the way we view mirrors in terms of religious significance, magic, spirits, and just viewing human bodies differently matters, because this is all part of the history of mirrors. There are myths and legends surrounding mirrors, and it's important to explore these too. A glass mirror to us now might just be a mirror. But to many others, years ago, a mirror was anything but an everyday object. So, now that the cold hard facts are out of the way, let's explore a mirror's history from a juicier perspective! Why Seeing Ourselves Matters?A mirror is more than just a way to look at yourself in many cultures, but being able to see yourself is the thread that ties us back to our ancestors in the ancient world who went out of their way to build vessels for water so they could see themselves. They could just have easily have stood by the flowing river, or looked down at themselves in a still lake. But they didn't. Something made them want to make water's reflective properties portable, and it was so they could look at themselves whenever they wanted. You can see different human bodies as you walk around, but only a mirror allows us to see ourselves. There's both a power and a human need in being able to do that. That's why vessels were created in the ancient world, because it was so important to see oneself, and it still is today. The way glass mirrors were created and used is important, but it's the human need to see ourselves that is a common thread throughout all of history, and it binds us all. Modern Perceptions'You'll waste away in front of the mirror.' 'If you look in that mirror any longer, you'll fall through it.' 'Do you have to spend so long in the mirror to put your makeup on?' These are all things we'd have heard at some point in our lives, but really, we're no more 'obsessed' by our reflections today than we were thousands of years ago. And is it such a bad thing to look in the mirror, anyway? There's no denying it increases our job and mating prospects because we can see how we look, and then make ourselves look better. This isn't a discussion on the philosophy of makeup, and it doesn't have to be. We're ALL guilty of flattening our hair in the morning or removing sleep from our eyes in the mirror. Every one of us looks in the mirror whilst we brush our teeth to make ourselves look our best. The point is, a mirror is an integral part of our lives, and we use them casually all the time without thinking about it. But has it always been that way? Well, if you look at a 1970s study where an anthropologist introduced mirrors to an isolated tribe in Papua New Guinea, you'll see that mirrors are often met with scepticism and fear. Rather than being fascinated by the reflections of themselves they'd never seen before, the people of this tribe were terrified. It's especially interesting to think about how human's natural reactions to seeing mirrors for the first time were most likely fear. Early Scepticism of Obsidian MirrorsThe early obsidian polished mirrors of 6000 BC may have been used for more than just flattening your hair before meeting a friend. In fact, these mirrors have been linked to evil spirits. It is believed that mirrors during this time were seen as dangerous things that only religious figures, such as shamans, should use to communicate with the spirit world. They could predict the future, according to some, and help religious figures protect the world from spirits. How true this is or not can never be verified, but the idea that mirrors are somehow connected to spirits or the magical and mystical realms can be seen across multiple cultures, so it's likely that these early mirrors garnered the same sort of reactions. Mirrors and Spiritual BeliefsTo see that mirrors were connected with spirits, magic, and mystical realms and had great magical or religious significance, you need only look at a handful of cultures. Ancient Mexicans and Mayan CultureAncient Mexicans wore stone mirrors to bring life giving flames, start fires, and show their status. They were worn in deference to the sun god, or sun king. The tradition continues with the Mayans, who buried mirrors with their elite dead, believing that a reflective mirror was a connection to an alternate dimension. Here, gods and their ancestors lived together, and communicating with them was possible through a mirror. This method of communication opened the possibility of being able to predict the future. The Mayans chose only to bury a mirror with the elite, because they believed that by giving the dead a mirror in their tomb, they'd be able to communicate with others through the mirrors owned by the living. Ancient Chinese BeliefsThe pattern continues with ancient Chinese beliefs. The mirrors made of speculum metals for the wealthy we talked about earlier were not just for admiring yourself. They were also used as a burial accessory to ward off evil spirits and protect tombs and homes from crime. Mirrors were also covered or removed after a death to stop them from returning from the spirit world where they belong. This practice is actually quite common today in other parts of the world, but whether or not it's for similar reasons, we cannot say. It certainly has its basis in these ancient Chinese beliefs, though. The idea that mirrors are connected to magic is prominent in Taoism. Mirrors help priests practice magic to call for spiritual protection and keep bad spirits away. Even today, there's an almost spiritual feel to feng-shui, which Chinese cultures still use to place mirrors in a way that allows energy to flow freely around the room. Yes, it's a part of interior design tradition, but it's also relevant to the spiritual connection mirrors seem to have. Black MirrorsPerhaps the most famous mirror of all, though, is the black mirror (made of obsidian). Even today, it's associated with black magic and is used as a scrying mirror which allows people to look into the future. This type of mirror is still used today and there are many spiritual and magical people that believe in the power of the black mirror. Nostradamus, a famous 16th century French philosopher, used these types of black mirrors and other similar mirrors to make predictions (which many argue came true) and gain occult knowledge. They still hold similar importance to many people today. Modern SuperstitionsRelated to spiritual beliefs, but slightly different, are the modern superstitions we hold today. Ever hear that if you break a glass mirror you'll have seven years' bad luck? Well, that's not just something we say - it might date back to the first humans. You see, early beliefs were that mirrors didn't show your reflection, but your soul. Breaking a mirror or interfering with your reflection in any way was thought to be a sure-fire way of damaging your connection to the soul and losing it forever. Although today we don't hold the belief quite as seriously, it's this idea that mirrors connect us to our souls that means breaking a mirror would bring such bad luck. But why seven years? Well, we have the ancient Romans to thank for that. It was their belief that it takes seven years for life to renew itself, so, if you broke your connection to your soul by breaking glass, or smashing a mirror, you wouldn't die, but you would have to wait seven years for your soul to be renewed. There are ways to fix this, though, according to the Romans. If you didn't want to wait seven years, there were a few things you could do:
By taking part in these traditions, you'd be saved from the seven years' bad luck. So if you break a mirror, it might just be worth a try... Round-upMirrors are fascinating objects with a long history - much longer than most of you will have realised, we're sure. But it isn't just the different ways different cultures created mirrors that's important, but why they did, and what they believed mirrors were capable of doing too. In many ways, mirrors are different today. How we make mirrors, the materials we use for mirrors, and the different styles of mirrors are all different from how they were centuries ago. Just the fact that we care how a mirror looks now is an important change. But we still use mirrors to look at ourselves, and a mirror is still something we don't fully understand. We know a glass mirror reflects our faces, but that doesn't stop some of us from using it to look at our souls, divine the future, and protect ourselves from spirits like those who came before us. Maybe there really is just something slightly mystical and spiritual about an object that shows us our faces in a way nothing else can. The point is, a mirror is more than just a mirror. It's a window into our past too, and you can see the differences in how we made them, and how we used them, but you can also see how some of the superstitions and legends surrounding them remain to this day. That's why knowing mirror history is important, because it binds us to our past, it shows us how we look in the present, and, for some, it might even show us our futures... History of Mirrors Read more on: Homes Direct 365 Limited from Homes Direct 365 | Blog - Feed https://www.homesdirect365.co.uk/blog/2022/02/history-of-mirrors/ via Blogger History of Mirrors Discerning homeowners love the elegance and sophistication of antique and vintage furniture. We appreciate the superior craftsmanship and quality, investing in old furniture pieces that are rarely matched in today's world of mass-produced goods. But what do we know about the people who made these exquisite items? Can we discover more about them from their work? How do we identify antique furniture? Can we be sure that it's a genuine antique? Maker's MarksOne way of identifying antique furniture is by looking at the maker's mark. Many furniture makers in years gone by added an identifying mark on the wood furniture they produced, and they did this to take credit for their work and as a trademark. It's a signature that helps us ensure that we are dealing with a genuine article. This mark not only adds interest and appeal, but it also provides provenance and, therefore, value. However, finding and identifying these can be a challenge! Our list of antique furniture makers marks will help you discover more about your treasured pieces. Along the way, we'll add some fascinating information and tips to help you be confident that your handmade furniture is the real thing. What Is An Antique?Most people agree that an antique has to be at least 100 years old. The trouble is, using this as a standard, more items become antiques every year. But just because something is old, it doesn't necessarily mean it's antique. So, we tend to regard any collectable furniture more than 100 years old as an antique. Vintage furniture is highly collectable but is usually between 20 and 100 years old. How To Identify Antique Wooden FurnitureOne way of identifying real antique wooden furniture is to check the maker's mark. These are usually hidden as the makers didn't want to spoil the look of each piece of furniture. To find the mark, look at the entire piece. Remove drawers from an antique dresser, check underneath or on the ends, and look on the furniture's underside, legs, and back. What Do The Marks Look Like?There is no uniform type. These marks can appear as ink stamps, ivorine (an early plastic from around 1900) labels, embossed metal tags, or are carved, branded or stamped into the wood. However, many will be paper labels with printed or handwritten details, usually the name of the furniture maker and their address. Does All Antique Furniture Have A Maker's Mark?Unfortunately not. French antique furniture is much more likely to bear a mark, as they had strict rules concerning this. In 1743 a specific guild was established to verify and stamp* every piece of furniture made in France, so it is unusual to find French antiques without an identifying mark (usually branded with hot iron). However, the opposite is true in Britain (especially before the 19th century), making life difficult for modern collectors as more investigation is required. It is pretty rare to find a piece of British antique furniture with a maker's mark, so it's a real bonus when you do find one. *In addition, pieces were stamped with JME which stands for 'jurande des menuisiers-ébénistes'. This means 'jury of cabinetmakers and carpenters', and items were only stamped if they passed inspection. Workshops were inspected four times a year, and poor quality furniture was confiscated. So, when you see JME on French antiques, it isn't a maker's mark! Check The JoineryAll antique furniture was crafted by hand, and although it looks perfect, there are telltale signs that give a final clue to its authenticity. Genuine antiques have slight differences, while exact symmetry clearly indicates that the item is machine-made. For example, handmade dovetails are uneven. You'll find only a few dovetails on antique furniture, whereas several precisely cut dovetails that are closely spaced are a sign of modern machine-cut furniture. Check the sides and bottom of a draw to see if the wood shows nicks and dips made by planes or spokeshaves. Machine-made furniture will be smooth and flat, with no imperfections. Examine other small diameter components, as these should not be uniform. If you examine the parts carefully, you'll see that they are not identical. The same components in a modern piece of furniture will be exactly the same. Also, look out for arc-shaped marks on the base. If the wood shows circular shapes or anything that looks like an arc, it was cut using a circular saw, which only came into use in 1860. If you detect straight saw marks, it's a good sign that the piece is of an earlier date. Look At The FinishBefore 1860, most good quality furniture had a shellac finish as it was the only clear surface finish available. Very old pieces may have been coated with milk paint, wax, or oil. After 1860, antique furniture makers also used a lacquer or varnish finish. Antique furniture can become caked in wax and dirt, which can be cleaned using a mix of white vinegar, kerosene and denatured alcohol. Once cleaned, test a small area by rubbing on neat denatured alcohol. If it is shellac, it will dissolve. Painted pieces can be tested using ammonia, which reacts with milk paint. This isn't often practical in the dealer's showroom, but it's best to do this before buying if possible. What Type Of Wood Is It?Very early furniture was almost always made from oak, right up until the 1700s. After this time, more exotic woods like mahogany and walnut became available, rapidly gaining popularity. Pine was favoured in America for many years because of its versatility and abundance, though good quality furniture might be of mahogany, cherry, walnut, maple, or oak. Identify Antique Furniture By StyleIt's a good idea to familiarise yourself with different furniture styles and the dates they cover. Here's a basic guide with dates, key names and styles to help you: English Furniture StylesQueen Anne - 1701 to 1714
Georgian Styles - 1714 to 1830 (styles changed radically during this time)
Regency - 1795 to 1837
Victorian - approximately 1830 to 1890
American furniture stylesAmerican Colonial Styles - Early 1620 to 1730 Late 1730 to 1780
Federal - 1789 to 1823
Pennsylvania Dutch - 1720 to 1830
Shaker - late 1800s to early 1900s
Examples Of Antique Furniture Maker's MarksIt would be impossible to include a complete list of maker's marks as there are thousands. We've listed some of the best British and French furniture makers to look out for: Gillows of Lancaster. Founded in 1731, one of the era's top furniture makers. During the 1740s, they imported mahogany for their furniture, opening a workshop in London in 1764. They allied with Waring of Liverpool in 1897 and merged to become Waring & Gillow in 1903. John Taylor & Son. One of the most prestigious cabinet makers of Victorian times, established in 1825, they became 'cabinet makers to the Queen'. Wilkinson & Son. The Wilkinson workshop was established in the City of London in 1766. After several relocations (Ludgate Hill, Bond Street, and Welbeck Street), they were acquired by Marshall & Snellgrove in 1918. Howard & Sons. Regarded as one of the foremost upholstered chair-makers of the Victorian era, Howard & Sons supplied furniture for the royal family from their base in London on several occasions. Druce & Co. Established around 1853, Druce & Co. crafted, restored and upholstered quality furniture from its base on Baker Street, London. Sadly, the building was destroyed in WWII, and the business was closed down. Martin Carlin. A renowned Parisian Master Ébéniste (from the wood, Ebony), M. Carlin (1730 - 1785) crafted luxury furniture, often mounted with Sévres porcelain. Adam Weisweiler. Another prominent name in French antiques, Weisweiler's work dated between 1778 and around 1810 when he retired. His most exquisite works include Japanese lacquer or Sévres porcelain panels and gilt bronze. The Globe-Wernicke Co. Ltd. Established in 1899, Globe-Wernicke became famous for its office furniture, including barrister's bookcases. Made from oak, mahogany, and walnut, these shelves were of a standard size and fitted together easily. This company had workshops in the UK, US, Canada, Germany and France. Roger Vandercruse Lacroix. Often described as one of the best ébéniste of his time, Roger Vandercruse (1728 - 1799) was part of a network of fine craftsmen in Paris. His work is sometimes stamped, Lacroix, R. Lacroix, or RVLC. Hampton & Sons. William Hampton opened his first shop in Cranbourn Street, London, in 1830, moving to Pall Mall in 1869. They had the honour of furnishing prestige properties and boats, such as the Mayfair Hotel, Theatre Royal, the Queen Mary, and the Royal Yacht Britannia. Jean-Henri Riesner. Although an ébéniste working in Paris, Reisner (1704 - 1806) was German. He is considered the finest Parisian ébéniste of the Louis XVI era, supplying furniture to French royalty and aristocracy. Harrison & Son of Burnley. Although they crafted high-quality bedroom and library furniture in the late Victorian era, there is surprisingly little information about them. Nevertheless, each item is expertly made and well-worth owning. Heals of London. Established in 1810 by John Harris Heal, they initially produced bedding. By 1840, the company started making bedroom furniture, noted for using mahogany with rounded corners. Ambrose Heal took the company to new heights in 1893 by introducing Arts & Crafts and Art Deco designs. James Shoolbred & Co. Originally set up as a draper's shop in Tottenham Court Road in 1820, Shoolbred began producing its own range of quality furniture in 1860 and was awarded a Royal warrant in the 1880s. J Kendall & Co. Operating between 1783 and 1840, this Leeds based company produced furniture equal to that of Gillows. Although they mostly used mahogany and oak, some of their best pieces were made from solid rosewood. Lambs of Manchester. James Lamb earned great respect as the premier cabinet maker of the Yorkshire and Lancashire regions in the Victorian period. Lambs dominated the world of high-class furnishing for 50 years. Miles & Edwards. From 1822 to 1844, Henry MIles and John Edwards produced high-quality pieces for various VIP clients, including the Empress of Russia. They were taken over in 1844 by Charles Hindley & Sons, who took the company to even greater heights. Morison & Co. Established in 1808, Morison & Co. was among the best cabinet makers in Scotland. Although bought by W Turner Lord & Co. in 1902, they used the Morison name for many years. Shapland & Petter. Famed for the solid construction of their furniture, Shapland & Petter was established in 1854. Inspired by American methods, Henry Shapland introduced machinery to speed up production, although they still used traditional finishing. Furniture was designed, constructed, carved and French polished at their workshop in Barnstaple, Devon. Harris Lebus. Towards the end of the Victorian era, Harris Lebus was known for its high-end furniture, produced at the East End workshop. By 1901, they opened a 14-acre site in Tottenham, which soon tripled in size to become the largest factory of its kind in the world. Note: the majority of Lebus furniture isn't marked! Holland & Sons. In 1803, they were initially called Taprelland Holland but changed the name in 1843. They are known for their fine craftsmanship and became cabinetmakers to Queen Victoria. James Winter & Sons. Trading between 1823 and 1870, James Winter produced some beautiful items at their Soho workshop. The founder was an appraiser, dealer, cabinet maker, and undertaker who also restored antique and second-hand furniture. Johnstone & Jeanes. John Johnstone oversaw the production of exceptional furniture from the Bond Street workshop for almost forty years, from 1842 to 1880. Maple & Co. John Maple, a Surrey shopkeeper, set up a furniture shop in Tottenham Court Road, London, in 1841. His son, also called John, transformed the company into one of the biggest, most successful cabinet makers of its time. They specialised in updating older designs with precision and craftsmanship. Wylie & Lochhead. Starting in 1829 as coffin makers, this company soon began producing high-quality wardrobes, dining tables and chairs with a high degree of craftsmanship. List of antique furniture makers marks Find more on: Homes Direct 365 French Furniture from Homes Direct 365 | Blog - Feed https://www.homesdirect365.co.uk/blog/2022/02/list-of-antique-furniture-makers-marks/ via Blogger List of antique furniture makers marks When you think of famous designers, creators, and makers, you could be forgiven for not thinking of famous cabinet makers as being people who would take the design world by storm. But actually, a cabinet maker is someone who offers a wide range of services where they can show off their craftsmanship and attention to detail with some of the most stunning furniture pieces around. In other words, they're big - and should be celebrated. But if you're currently wondering who these famous cabinet makers are, then don't worry. You might not have heard of these successful cabinet makers yet, but after today, you won't forget them in a hurry! The most famous furniture maker of all? - Thomas ChippendaleTo start today's post off, we might as well start with someone that's about as well-known as it's possible to be in this game. We're talking, of course, about Thomas Chippendale. Chippendale's backgroundChippendale was born in Yorkshire in 1718, the son of a carpenter, and it was here that he first learned the importance of a trade. In fact, in later years, Thomas Chippendale became so well known for his love of furniture, materials, and designs that he created a book packed full of them - The Gentleman and Cabinet-Makers Director - first issued in 1734 and revised and enlarged multiple times thereafter. This book was THE go-to book in both England and America for any would-be cabinet makers, and his designs were famous worldover. He specialised in cabinet making (obviously), but it was perhaps his dining chairs that gathered him most of his support. Why was he such a famous cabinet maker?After leaving Yorkshire, Chippendale began operating in London out of his workshop, 'The Chair', where he became known for his furniture designs - desks, chairs, tables, settees, cabinets - you name it, Thomas had a hand in it, and that's perhaps why he is one of the best known furniture makers out there. Because he was so prolific. You can always tell a Chippendale piece apart from others, because of his distinctive style. The intricate carving, latticework, and quality craftsmanship were the bread and butter of his business. From mahogany bookshelves to large display cabinets, Thomas sold them all because of the quality. It turned out to be a bit of a family business too, because Thomas Chippendale's son, Thomas Chippendale (you'll see a lot of that throughout today's post - apparently sons were often named after their fathers in this period), continued the business after his father's death. Today, an original Thomas Chippendale with a receipt (he gave out receipts for every furniture piece he sold out of his London shop) is worth a LOT of money. How much? It's difficult to say exactly because of how rare it is to find Chippendale furniture with a receipt nowadays. Needless to say, though, if you think you might have one hanging around in a family storage unit somewhere, it's probably worth another look! Goodall & CoDespite what you'd expect, it wasn't all London based cabinet makers that were making a splash in the furniture world in the 17 and 1800s. Goodall & Co, established by Edward Goodall in the second half of the 19th century, actually operated out of King Street, Manchester, and with brilliant success too. So much success, that the unique style of chairs, desks, tables, and cabinets sold out of this shop kept the business alive from at least 1850 to 1954. Their workshop eventually developed into a warehouse, showing just how good at the job this Manchester based business was, considering they built furniture on quite a large scale for plenty of clients and customers. Although not known for a particular style, this business garnered a lot of attention whilst working with different cabinet makers and furniture designers. One such designer was Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo, who has examples of the style of furniture they were working on in Manchester in around 1890 in multiple exhibitions today (the Chicago Art Institute, and Victoria and Albert Museum in London, to name just two). For us, it's furniture businesses like these that deserve recognition as famous cabinet makers because of how successful they were in operating in places outside London. Sure, you'd expect Chippendale to do well when his shop is in the heart of the capital, but to turn a small company in Manchester into a large furniture business is definitely worth recognition. Pottier & StymusFor us, Auguste Pottier and William Stymus are great examples of cabinet makers outside England. Pottier was born in France and emigrated to America in 1847. He had multiple apprenticeships along the way in Paris and New York, with different upholsterers, sculptors, and furniture designers. It was in 1859, working at a cabinet makers firm in New York City, that he met William Stymus. After their bosses' death, the two took over the firm, and they really made a name for themselves in the furniture world. They became known as expert furniture makers and decorators and catered mostly to the established and wealthy individuals of the time, showing both the quality of their work and their determination to create furniture that would make them well-respected and sought after. They even supplied furniture for the White House and the Plaza hotel. The reason they became so well known, though, was their differing styles. They were just as comfortable working on pieces inspired by the Renaissance revival as they were with Modern Gothic. And there are even examples of their cabinet furniture displaying marks of the Egyptian revival. Their furniture today is very rare, as their signature P & S stamps weren't put on all the furniture they sold, so it's difficult to say for sure what pieces of furniture were actually created by them. Still, how many cabinet makers can claim to have supplied furniture for the White House? So even if there aren't as many examples of their work around today, they're still some pretty famous cabinet makers. William SaveryPerhaps there's something in the name - because we have another William now. Savery was a cabinet maker working out of his workshop in Philadelphia. Of all his styles, it was his Queen Anne and Chippendale styles that made him famous. He was just as comfortable making a simple chair as he was with elaborate cabinets using his signature elaborate carving style. Bookshelves, lowboys, highboys, and chest-of-drawers for storage were also big sellers for this cabinet maker. It was his inspiration from the Queen Anne style that made him stand out amongst designers. Working as a carpenter, furniture designer, and cabinet maker made him stand out as an expert in the field. To this day, his furniture is sought after. Very few retain the paper labels he shipped with them though, although it is believed that Benjamin Franklin, an early customer of his, kept two pieces that are still in the Franklin family today. Either way, there's no denying that William Savery's success was noted at the time, and still is to this day. Thomas AffleckFor us, Thomas Affleck, born in 1745 in Scotland, is the perfect example of how Chippendale's infamous furniture designs were passed on to more than just his son, because Affleck was known for his Chippendale style above all others. That shows just how important the style was during the 18th and 19th centuries. After leaving Scotland and training in England (likely in or around London given his keen knowledge and expertise at recreating the Chippendale styles), Affleck moved to Philadelphia, and became a famous cabinet maker in his own right. Just like his inspiration before him, he specialised in chairs, carving intricate details into all his furniture, and his items were always sold quickly whenever stocked in his shop in Philadelphia. One other interesting fact about Affleck is that he was meticulous about keeping records and account books, with invaluable details of his range of items saved to this day. Whether a simple chair or a complex storage piece for a high-end client, Affleck recorded them all. Workshops and items may not survive, but his records did, and that's how we know he was so prolific in Philadelphia. Items from his shop remain, having survived the centuries, and after his death his son, Lewis G. Affleck, continued the business for a while. The aforementioned items, including chairs and cabinets, are shown at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (to name just one place where Affleck's work is shown) and can still be admired today - showing just how influential Thomas Affleck was. William RichardsonBack to Yorkshire now, but this time in Leeds, William Richardson began his company, W. Richardson, in 1875. They were listed as upholsterers and cabinet makers, and they operated between the period of 1875 and the early 1930s. They were quite famous in Leeds, but it was W. Richardson who made their name as a skilled upholsterer and cabinet maker who also produced outstanding decorative chairs. After the workshops were established, his two sons, William and Thomas, helped expand, eventually operating out of multiple workshops in Leeds. For a time, Leeds was THE location to visit for chairs, cabinets, and upholstery, thanks to W. Richardson. Unfortunately, this established family would later cease trading at some period in the 1930s, despite their continued success. That doesn't stop them from going down in history as some of the most famous and successful cabinet makers around. Benjamin RandolphOf all the cabinet makers we've covered today, perhaps it is Randolph that can truly stand toe to toe with Chippendale. Why? Because this cabinet maker has an interesting relationship with history - and more specifically, Thomas Jefferson. You see, it was on Randolph's lap desk that Jefferson signed the Declaration of Independence. After becoming established as a furniture designer in 1767, Randolph eventually worked with the then president to design a lap desk in 1776. He was known, besides this, for his Chippendale inspired furniture again, which is often the case for many of the famous furniture makers on today's list. Who is more famous then? Chippendale or Randolph? It's hard to say, but there's no denying that both have their name stamped firmly in history. Why does it all matter?If you've read today's post and thought 'Yeah, that's interesting, but so what?' then we'd just like to clarify a few things. The reason it's so important to know who these famous designers are is because A) they're a huge part of design history, but B) because you might own a piece. To find out more about the different markers and identifying signatures each of these famous cabinet makers used, all you need to do is a quick search online. If it turns out you have a piece of their infamous furniture with the markings and/or receipts to prove it... Well, you could have a genuine, invaluable piece of history in your possession - and that's pretty exciting. Away from that, though, you might just find it helpful to know who these famous designers were so you can look out for their pieces in museums and art galleries, or think about how your furniture at home may have been influenced by them. With furniture - whether it's cabinets, chairs, bookshelves, or tables - it's always good to think about how history has played its part in creating it. That's why knowing these famous faces in furniture is important, so they can be recognised, even today, for their contributions. And boy oh boy, did this bunch contribute a LOT! The blog post The Most Famous Cabinet Makers was first published to http://www.homesdirect365.co.uk from Homes Direct 365 | Blog - Feed https://www.homesdirect365.co.uk/blog/2022/02/famous-cabinet-makers/ via Blogger The Most Famous Cabinet Makers You can think of a coffee table as the cherry on the cake of your living room design. It is pleasing for our brains to have a focal point in the middle of the room and a coffee table is a perfect solution for this. Not only that but a coffee table can serve a practical purpose of increasing storage space and as a place to put things down within easy reach of the seating. So how can you make your coffee table arrangement the highlight of your living room? There are lots of ways to maximise the style of this essential decorative piece. Grey Antique French Style 2 Drawer Coffee Table Choose the right coffee tableThe first step is, of course, to find the perfect coffee table for your living area. A glass-topped coffee table can help to make the area feel less cluttered whereas a wood table with natural elements can make the living room feel warm. The size of your coffee table is also key. Take note of the size of your floor space and make sure that your coffee table leaves everyone enough room to move around it easily. If you have a small apartment, a full coffee table might be too much but you can still achieve a similar effect with a side table tucked in next to your sofa. Work with the space that you have and find a solution that works for you. The shape is also an important consideration. A round coffee table can be a soft touch (as well as safer for small children) whereas a coffee table with modern lines can highlight other modern touches. Avoid the clutterIt is far too easy for coffee tables to become a convenient dumping ground but a cluttered coffee table isn't pleasing to the eye. Instead, it can make an otherwise clean and tidy living room feel messy and cramped. Having careful and deliberate placement of the items on your coffee table can help you to avoid cluttering it. If you need more storage space than the top alone would allow, a two-tiered table can give you some extra storage space underneath. We have five separate ranges of coffee tables Mirrored Coffee Tables Exclusive to Homes Direct 365 French Style Coffee Tables Exclusive to Homes Direct 365 Modern Coffee Tables Exclusive to Homes Direct 365 Teak & Driftwood Coffee Tables Exclusive to Homes Direct 365 Industrial Style Coffee Tables Exclusive to Homes Direct 365 Inject your personalityYour coffee table or side table can be a true reflection of your personality through the clever use of coffee table decor. Elsewhere in your living room, your personality might be well reflected in your colour and furniture choices but the coffee table is your spot to inject a true little part of yourself. This can be through books and magazines, fun decorative objects that reflect your hobbies and interests, and meaningful family photographs. Think about heightA key consideration for a coffee table is the height of the objects that you place on it. It is usually best to have objects and knick-knacks that vary in size. It usually isn't a good idea to have a lot of objects that are quite high. This can make the living room feel disconnected and can block people from conversation or from being able to see the TV. Remember that this is your family room so it needs to be functional as well as decorative. The best way to add height and interest to your coffee table decor is to have one or two higher objects that are quite slim. Think about pillar candles or fresh flowers that won't completely block anyone's view across the coffee table. For a side table, the issue isn't as much about blocking the view as it is interfering with the use of the table. Too many high objects will mean that it is difficult to use the table. If you want to add height with candles or flowers, make sure that they are on the side that is farthest away from the people that will be using the table. Catio Small Black Bamboo Lantern Aim for symmetryJust as we naturally find a space with a focal point pleasing, our brains are also primed to enjoy symmetry and you can achieve symmetry with the decor on your coffee table. The easiest way to do this is to have a decorative object as a centrepiece balanced by a pair of other objects. As an example, you could have a statement piece vase with flowers in the centre, flanked by a pair of candle holders and candles on either side. This can be slightly more tricky to achieve with a round coffee table. Don't be tempted to use the 360-degree space. Instead, align the objects linearly as you would with a square or rectangular coffee table. Utilise a trayOne of the best items you can use on your coffee table is a tray. If your coffee table has any chance of being used in a practical way, you are going to need to place some bits and pieces on it that aren't decorative items, such as remote controls, matches, gaming controllers, etc. By placing these items in a tray, they will naturally be contained within the overall arrangement and style of the table and won't spread themselves out and look cluttered. A square tray can look great because it is neat and simple but you can also use a decorative ceramic bowl or a basket to create the same effect. Medium 48cm Rectangle Stainless Steel Tray Bring the outside into your living roomYou don't have to limit yourself to manmade accessories for your coffee table. By bringing natural elements into your living room, you can add that all-important texture to your living room decor. A vase with some white flowers can bring some light into the space, especially when placed on top of a glass coffee table and if you don't want the hassle of constantly replacing freshly cut flowers, then succulents can be a great option. But you aren't just limited to flowers or plants. You can bring some natural elements into your display by using wood, stone such as marble, pebbles, or even shells. Decide between minimalist or maximalistSimple decor in a minimalist style can create a clean and functional look for the centre of your living room. But you aren't just limited to minimalism. If it suits your personality you can go the other direction entirely and lean into big style and maximalism. With these decor schemes, you can bring a real eclectic vibe to your coffee table. You can make it a grand design statement by including gold accents and marble or you can use a mix of different styles to make it eclectic and a true talking point for your living room. With this style, your coffee table can be a miniature art collection that reflects your personal taste perfectly. Gold Complements Elephant Sculpture Try using a themeOveruse of a theme in decorating can be too much but careful use of a theme can make your living room display look classic and filled with style. For example, you could try a nautical theme by adding nautical elements such as an anchor, seashells, a compass, and some wood. You can make the theme for your coffee table anything you like to make a big impact on the feel of the living room. Experiment with a geometric styleCoffee tables can be a great chance to inject some style into your living room. And a geometric style can be the perfect way to give your living room a modern and sophisticated look. Geometric elements can look clean and modern on a glass coffee table. The basis of a geometric style is to use shapes to create other shapes and you can achieve this with your coffee table decor with some thought. Using a square tray placed on top of a differently shaped mat can help and you can even add to the geometric style when you stack magazines in a decorative way. Geometric prints can help to complete the look. A vase with a geometric print and some white flowers can look great in the centre of your coffee table. And you can use a tray or basket with geometric weaving or a glass bowl with geometric engraving filled with stones. Don't forget accent coloursWhen you are decorating your living room and thinking about styling, accent colours are likely to be important. And your coffee table can help to create the colour scheme that you are aiming for. Don't overdo it with the colour but use the accessories on your coffee table to anchor the accent colours of the room. Since your coffee table is going to be the natural focal point it's the perfect place to pull the overall decor together and complete the look. A glass table is a neutral colour to which you can add a pop of your accent colour. A vase with flowers can be a simple way of adding the accent colour to your space, as can candles, and small pieces of art. Make your coffee table your galleryHave you ever wanted to bring a taste of a museum or an art gallery into your living room? Your coffee table can be the perfect place to do exactly that. A carefully curated art collection or fascinating items will make your coffee table look sophisticated and will give your visitors something to enjoy and talk about. Even in a small space with side tables, you can add a touch of the art gallery to your living room but you do have to be more careful with how many objects you use. A tray with smaller pieces can be perfect to save space and avoid clutter. Use candles and clever lighting to highlight your favourite pieces of art and gently illuminate your coffee table. Don't forget your coastersA coffee table, as the name suggests, should always be somewhere that you can easily place drinks on. But it is easy to forget about the importance of coasters. You and your visitors are always going to need somewhere to place down a glass and if your drinks are hot or they get spilled, this could mark the wood. Of course, this is less of a concern with a glass-top coffee table but most people feel more comfortable with somewhere to naturally place a glass. And your coasters don't have to be boring. In fact, they can be accessories that add to the styling and decor of the coffee table display and your living room. There are so many different options for coasters. You could have a matching set made of wood or you can mix and match different colours and styles for an eclectic look. Some coaster sets can stack to make an interesting arrangement and then unstack to be used. You can play with shapes as well. A round coaster compared to a square coaster or even a hexagonal one can add a completer different element to your coffee table. Hexagonal Gold Tray With Sand Design Don't be afraid of metallicsStyling coffee tables with metallics can help to make it a centrepiece of the room and they can help to integrate with the overall decor and colours decorating the living room. Copper is a classic metallic colour that can add to an industrial look, especially when paired with wood. Silver can add to a glamorous and sophisticated living room styling and can help to pull together the look. Gold can pull together a variety of looks depending on the type that you use. Antique gold can help your coffee table finish a vintage living room whereas brighter gold can make the room display luxurious. It can be difficult to mix metallics while making everything cohesive, so it is often better to stick to one. Mirrored glass can help to reflect light back onto the metallics to highlight them. And you can use a variety of different coffee table items to add metallics. You could add a metallic tray, vase, candle holders, basket, and more. Circular Cast Aluminium Votive Tray With Mercury Glass Votive Choose your books and magazines wiselyCoffee table magazines and books are a mainstay of styling the centrepiece of your room but you should make sure to choose them wisely. A stack of books that aren't cohesive or that don't reflect who you are can make the table seem lifeless. While it is important that books look nice and that they stack well together, the collection should also be an opportunity to display your interests in a clever way. Look round a while before settling on the books that you are going to use to make sure they are exactly what you want to display in the centre of your living room. Experiment with different tablesA coffee table doesn't have to be a normal coffee table. You can experiment with different ideas to make your living display completely your own. For example, ottomans are something that people often use for tables instead of an actual coffee table and they can make the room feel warmer and more comfortable. An ottoman table can also be filled with whatever you don't want to clutter up your living room or coffee table so it can help you to perfect your styling. To convert an ottoman into a table, you will need to create a flat surface. The easiest way of doing this is with a large tray placed in the centre. You can place all of your table stylings on this tray and it can be lifted off with ease to access the centre of the ottoman table. Of course, if you have a glass or vase with liquid inside placed on the tray, you will need to be especially careful of not spilling it as you move the furniture around. A table nest of three can also be a great idea for changing up the coffee table look. The largest top table can hold your display items and the smaller tables can be brought out if and when you need them. Or you can carefully place the three in a step configuration to make an interesting shape in the centre of your room. Black Square Velvet Stool With Buttons The bottom lineA coffee table is a vital piece of furniture that can help to tie your entire living room together. It is your chance to put a mark of your own personality onto the room. You can play with the size and shape of the table (a round wood table will look very different from a rectangular glass table). And you can play with the items that you display on the table to bring in your own ideas and style. Whatever you decide to display on your coffee table, if you want it to be the centrepiece of your room, it is worth taking some time to be thoughtful and mindful about the items that you choose. We have five separate ranges of coffee tables Mirrored Coffee Tables Exclusive to Homes Direct 365 French Style Coffee Tables Exclusive to Homes Direct 365 Modern Coffee Tables Exclusive to Homes Direct 365 Teak & Driftwood Coffee Tables Exclusive to Homes Direct 365 Industrial Style Coffee Tables Exclusive to Homes Direct 365 Coffee Table Centrepiece Ideas was originally published on https://www.homesdirect365.co.uk/ from Homes Direct 365 | Blog - Feed https://www.homesdirect365.co.uk/blog/2022/02/coffee-table-centrepiece-ideas/ via Blogger Coffee Table Centrepiece Ideas No matter what wood-working project you are starting, you will need to apply something to the wood to give it its finished look. Wood stain is one of the most popular options available and it has a range of benefits that can make it the perfect choice to elevate the look of bare wood. Today we are going to look at what wood stain is, how it compares to paint and wood finish, the benefits of wood stain, and how to apply it properly (plus the common mistakes that people make when staining wood). What Is Wood Stain?Wood stains are a type of paint that can be applied to wood to enhance the natural colours of the bare wood. Some wood stains are opaque, with a solid colour that sits on top of the wood. Other wood stains are transparent so that the original colour of the wood can be seen. Wood stains consist of colourants (either a dye or a pigment) that is suspended in a vehicle (water, alcohol, or petroleum distillate), and a binder or finishing agent. This finishing agent can be a lacquer, varnish, or other typical wood finish. Some wood stains use pigments and some use dyes, and some can use a mixture of both. This difference is important when it comes to what the final wood stain will achieve. Dyes tend to have smaller molecules than pigments and they fully dissolve in the vehicle whereas pigments are temporarily suspended in it. This means that dyes will penetrate deeper into the wood, including fine-grained woods. They are more transparent and will show the wood grain nicely. Pigments won't penetrate very far into the wood and will only penetrate at all when the natural wood has large pores, so they aren't that suitable for fine-grained wood. Because they sit more on the wood surface, they give a more opaque look. Different wood stains may have only dye or only pigment, or a mixture with different ratios of each. These will often be marked as "transparent", "semi-transparent", "opaque", etc. Different Types Of Wood StainsThere isn't just one type of wood stain. There are a variety of different options out there that vary in how easy they are to apply to wood, what types of wood they work best on, and what types of environment they are better in. When choosing the right wood stain for your project, it is important to understand the different wood stain options out there so that you can get it right, the first time. Oil-Based Wood StainsOil-based wood stains are the most popular choice of wood stain for a few different reasons. They usually use linseed oil as a binder, and they have a slow drying time. This makes them easier to work with because you have a lot of time to remove any linseed oil excess before the oil-based stain dries. You can identify an oil-based stain by the thinning and clean-up solvent that is listed in the ingredients. If it is petroleum distillate (AKA aliphatic hydrocarbon) you can be relatively certain that you are looking at an oil-based stain. Oil-based wood stains penetrate deeply into the wood so can be protective. Linseed oil is also a natural material so is non-toxic. Sometimes an oil-based stain will have an ingredient added to create a wood finish, but you can also apply your finishing coat after staining the wood after the wood stain has had time to dry (usually overnight). Water-Based StainsWater-based stains are useful if you are planning on using a water-based finishing coat. This is because water finishes don't tend to bind well with oil-based stains or lacquer/varnishes. You can identify a water-based stain by the ingredients listed as it uses a water-based finish as a binder. This means that water-based stains are environmentally friendly and non-toxic, so they are perfectly safe to work with for long periods in enclosed environments compared to solvent-based wood stains. A water-based stain, however, will be one of the most difficult to work with. This is because they are extremely fast drying so there is very little time to remove any excess before the water-based stain has finished the drying process. A water-based stain will also raise the grain of the wood which can mean that the finish isn't smooth. This is difficult to rectify after the fact by sanding without removing some of the wood stain so you may need to raise the wood grain before staining the wood. Varnish StainsVarnish wood stains look relatively similar to oil-based stains, but they behave quite differently. Unlike oil stains, these stains dry hard which gives a glossy wood finish. Varnish stains are easy to use, and they can be left to dry without the need to brush off any excess. With oil-based stains, the excess needs to be wiped off else the finish, when it is applied, is liable to chip or peel. They are also easy to find because they are almost always specifically labelled. This is because they use the same solvent as oil stains so mixing them up would be an easy mistake to make. Gel StainsGel stains are a recent invention, becoming popular in the late 20th century. Gel stains are oil-based but they have a much thicker consistency than normal oil wood stains. They have limited penetration and the stain will sit on the wood surface rather than soaking into the top few layers, but gel stains do have some advantages above other types of wood stain. A gel stain will not flow because it is a high-viscosity liquid. This means that it is easy to gain more control over the application and that, even when the bare wood is in a vertical position, the stain won't run down. A gel stain also won't cause blotches on pine wood, which can be a common problem that is difficult to fix. When using other types of wood stain with pine, it is necessary to apply a wood conditioner beforehand, but this isn't necessary with a gel stain. Lacquer StainsDespite the name, lacquer stains do not actually contain lacquer. They are instead a type of varnish stain. They are called lacquer stains because woodworking professionals like to mix them with lacquer to adjust the colour of the wood between coats. You can identify lacquer stains through their ingredients. They will contain xylene and various ketones. These stains are extremely fast-drying (within 15 minutes) so are usually only applied by professionals. And most of the time, the professionals will work in pairs to ensure that the excess is wiped off as quickly as possible. So this type of wood stain wouldn't normally be suitable for a home woodworking project. Water-Soluble Dye StainThis is one of the older methods of staining wood and was the most popular up until around the 1950s. It is sold in powdered form and contains "aniline" dyes that need to be dissolved in water. You can use different ratios of powder and water to create a different colour and once it is in its liquid form you can apply it to the wood surface. While this type of wood stain is no longer as popular as it used to be, it is still often used by woodworking amateurs and enthusiasts because it is versatile. The colour can be built up and it gives a rich feel to the wood. There is also a wide variety of colour types that can be used. It doesn't, however, have any UV protection so the colour will fade over time, especially if the wood piece is kept in direct sunlight. Metalized (Metal Complex) Dye StainsTo counteract the fading issues with water-soluble dye stains, metalized dye stains were developed in the 1950s. They are specially formulated to be more resistant to fading due to the addition of metals (e.g. chromium, copper, nickel, etc). They will still fade eventually but the process is slowed down significantly. Unlike water stains, metalized dye stains won't raise the grain of the wood ("non-grain raising"). They can also be sprayed so are popular in wood shops that like to use spray cans. This spray can give a more even coat than can be achieved with brushwork. Metalized dye stains can be added to lacquer as a toner as well as being applied directly to natural wood. What Is The Difference Between Wood Stain And Varnish?Wood stain and wood varnishes can be easily confused but they serve very different purposes and can leave wood with a very different look. In some situations, it may be better to use a wood stain, in others a wood varnish, or it can be best to use both. A wood stain will change or enhance the natural wood colour. Staining wood isn't the same as painting it because, rather than covering up the natural wood grain, when you stain wood, it enhances and showcases the grain. It can also be used either to enhance the natural colours or to give the wood a new colour, all while keeping the natural features of the wood intact. As a downside, when you stain wood, you shouldn't expect the wood to be protected by the stain to any large degree. Its primary function is as decoration only, although it can help to prevent moisture and rot from setting in. Varnishes, on the other hand, don't penetrate into the pores of the wood. Instead, it creates a topcoat by remaining on the surface where it hardens. The purpose of varnish is twofold. First, it provides protection. Depending on the type of varnish, this can include protection from UV rays, water, heat, and chemicals. So, it is useful for wooden furniture that will be kept in environments that could cause damage to the wood. The second purpose of varnish is the wood finish that it provides. Depending on the type of varnish, it can give a glossy, satin, or matte look, all of which will be attractive and appealing. Often, people choose to use both a wood stain and a wood finish (such as varnish) to reap the benefits of both as much as possible. Of course, if you were hoping for a completely natural finish to highlight the wood's beauty, you would have to stop at the wood stain only. But if you were hoping to enhance the colour and the grain and then also have a layer of varnish over the top, then using both would work well. You can either buy the wood stain and the wood varnish separately or you can buy products that already have both together. Wood Stain Versus PaintUltimately, the decision to use paint or stain comes down to personal preference but different factors might influence your decision. The biggest difference between the two is that paint will completely cover the natural wood whereas stain will show the wood through. Paint is also thicker and there tends to be a greater range of colour options and you are more likely to be able to achieve a bold colour look. It can be applied either with a brush or a spray can whereas only some stains give you both options. Stain, on the other hand, tends to be cheaper than paint and it is generally easier and quicker to apply. Stain will also penetrate into the wood, which will provide more protection against water than paint. And because it penetrates rather than sitting on the surface, it won't peel, crack, or flake in the same way that paint might. It is also important to remember that while you can paint over stain, you can't stain over paint so taking some time to think about the decision beforehand is always a good idea. The Benefits Of Wood StainWe have touched on this a little already, but let's look deeper into the benefits of using a wood stain. AestheticsOne of the main reasons why people opt for a wood stain is that it highlight's the wood's grain and its colour. This can give an attractive look to wooden furniture or other pieces. It helps to give a natural feel to the wood that is difficult to achieve with other wood finishes. UV And Moisture ProtectionWhile wood stains don't provide as much protection as varnishes, they can protect the wood from the sun and moisture. Because the stain penetrates into the wood, it will prevent moisture from getting in and beginning the freeze-thaw cycle, which can damage the wood. Many wood stains, but not all, will also provide UV protection, making them suitable for outdoor furniture. Oil stain, gel stain, varnish stain, lacquer stain, and metalized dye stain will all provide at least some UV protection. Rotting PreventionBecause wood stain will help to seal the wood and prevent moisture from getting in, this will help to prevent the wood from growing mould or mildew. These will cause rotting if they are let to grow in the wood and that can mean that the wooden furniture or other pieces will need to be thrown away. Walking SurfacesIf you have a wooden floor, particularly an outdoor wooden floor such as decking, using a stain is usually a much better option than paint. Unlike paint, stain won't chip or flake over time as people walk over it. It is also easier to apply and maintain than a paint finish. How To Apply Wood StainsWith most wood stains, such as oil stains, water-based stains, and gel stains, you can easily apply them as a wood finish at home. It helps if you have a dedicated woodworking area because working with these types of materials and, in particular, wood can be very messy. To get a decent wood finish, it is always a good idea to spend a decent amount of time preparing the wood before you start. This will ensure that all the stain coats the wood evenly once you come to that stage. The first thing that you will need to do is to remove any dust or fragments from the wood surface. The best way to do this is to use a natural bristle brush or a synthetic brush to brush the entire surface. Next, you will need to sand the wood. It is usually better to do this step outside, if possible, because the sanding dust will fly everywhere. It is always best to sand down to clean wood if you have enough because that will give you the best chance of having a smooth surface ready for applying stain. The type of sander you should use will depend on the particular wood, but it is usually best to stay between 100 and 120 grit. Now you need to remove all of the sanding dust. This is vital because the last thing you want is any dust getting caught in the stain. If you have been sanding inside, wait for all of the dust to settle and then use a vacuum and a tack rag to remove everything that you can. Next, you need to wet the wood. You don't need to apply a sanding sealer before applying stain. In fact, it is best not to use a sanding sealer because this will blood the wood's pores and prevent the stain from penetrating into the wood. Wetting the wood, on the other hand, will help to open the pores so that it will accept all the stain. The best way to wet the wood is to wipe the entire surface with a damp or slightly wet vcloth. Another name for this technique is "popping the grain" because it can help to add colour and highlight the natural grain of the wood. You may not need to apply multiple coats using this technique, depending on the wood type. You may find that you need to lightly sand the wood again at this point if you notice any blemishes that the water has highlighted. These will only get more obvious after applying stain, so it is best to sort them out at this stage rather than later on. Popping the grain is especially important if you are applying stain to wood that tends to blotch, such as pine, because it lowers the risk of these blotches appearing due to the more even coverage of the stain. Now, you need to wait for the water to evaporate before applying stain. Make sure that there aren't any puddles left as this will affect the evenness of the stain coverage. Applying StainWith most stains, such as oil stains, you can use a foam brush or a lint-free rag to apply stain to the wood. Apply the stain evenly across the wood surface and then immediately wipe the excess off with a clean cloth. Removing the excess is key to ensuring that you have a nice wood finish at the end. Once this first coat is dry, you can decide if you need to apply a second coat of stain, again with a foam brush or rag. Whether or not you need a second coat will depend on how you want the final top coat to look in terms of colour and it will depend on the type of wood that you are staining. If you do need to apply a second coat, make sure that the first coat is completely dry before applying stain again. Applying A Wood FinishFor your woodworking project, that might be the end of the process, especially if you are looking for the natural look that a wood stain will give to the grain. If, on the other hand, you want extra durability and good protection from the elements, you may want to apply wood finishing products. Different types of wood finishes can provide a different look to your wood and they will also work differently when used as a top coat above different types of stains. Oil FinishAn oil finish can help to retain the natural look of the wood that you have achieved through staining and can also help to provide extra protection. You can use these on their own without any stain at all and allow the natural wood and grain to show through. There are lots of different options for oil finishes, including tung oil, Danish oil, and mineral oils. They aren't the most durable of wood finishes so they shouldn't be used for something that will take a lot of wear and tear, such as a kitchen table, but they will work well for other types of furniture such as bookcases or chairs. Oil finishes are often the best for outdoor furniture because their penetration into the wood provides the most UV protection. You can use an oil finish over an oil stain to further protect the wood, but they don't work as well over water-based stains. Linseed oil, which is commonly found in oil stain, is a drying oil whereas minerals oils, tung oil, and Danish oil, are all non-drying oils. This means that they will provide an extra oil finish above the stain and make it look richer. Varnish FinishVarnish is a clear and transparent wood finish that is semi-gloss and sits on top of the wood surface to provide a hard layer of protection. Varnishing over wood stain can be a good idea because it gives you the best of both worlds. You still get the enhancement of the wood provided by the stain and you also get a shine and the protection of the varnish. Most varnishes will protect the wood against heat, moisture, and other contaminants. They are also scratch-resistant which makes them perfect for furniture that takes a lot of use, such as a kitchen table. They aren't as suitable for outdoor furniture or flooring, however, because they do little to protect the wood from UV damage. It is important to check which type of varnish you are using and whether it will work with the stain. For an oil stain, for example, you will need an oil-based varnish because water-based varnish won't interact well with oil stain. Lacquer FinishIf you want a high gloss look for your wooden furniture, lacquer is usually your best bet. It is a fast-drying wood finish that forms a hard and very shiny top layer. It does tend to scratch easily, however, so isn't as suitable for furniture that will sustain a lot of wear and tear. It is, however, easy to apply either with a brush or by spraying. Lacquer is solvent-based, so this limits what type of stains it can be used over. It can't be used over oil stain as it will dissolve the stain. It can be used over solvent-based stains, NGR stains, and water-based stains. Wood PreserveWood preserve is specifically designed to prevent rotting and to protect the wood from insect damage, so it is especially useful for outside furniture and features. It can come in either matte or semi-gloss. What Are The Easiest Woods To Stain?There is no doubt that some types of wood will accept a wood stain better than others. This is generally due to differences in the size of the pores. Bigger pores will better allow the stain to penetrate into the wood whereas smaller pores may leave it sitting on the surface, making the stain less effective. OakOak furniture is ever-popular because of the beauty of this wood. And that natural beauty also makes it one of the easiest woods to stain. It has an obvious natural grain pattern which means that the stain will be able to easily highlight the beauty of the wood and it also has large open pores that will accept the stain easily. AshAshwood is similar to oak in that it has a strong natural grain and large pores which will take stain easily. It tends to be lighter in colour than oak, which will give you a little more versatility in the colours that you choose. HickoryHickory is another wood that can be easy to stain but you have to remember that it needs to be thoroughly sanded beforehand for it to stain evenly. ChestnutChestnut has a striking natural colour that is an even medium brown, so it will often do well with a transparent oil stain, or with a brown or grey coloured stain. Just as some woods are naturally easy to stain, other woods are naturally difficult to stain. These woods tend to have tighter pores and/or an uneven grain pattern that absorbs stain at different rates and depths. This can leave the stain looking blotchy and uneven.
Popular Stain ColoursJust like any aspect of home decoration or interior design, wood stain colours come and go in popularity depending on what's currently in style. For example, dark stained oak tends to come across as very 80s and it is more in style right now to use a lighter more neutral stain for oak. It is also important to remember that stains will look very different depending on the type of wood you paint them onto. Just like when you dye your hair, the same colour will look different on light wood compared to dark wood. And you definitely don't have to follow the stain colour fashion if you don't want to. Natural coloured wood is absolutely timeless so using a stain that simply enhances the colour of the wood while highlighting the grain will always look good. Bold ColoursWhen you stain wood, you aren't just limited to natural wood colours. And people are enjoying taking advantage of that at the moment by using bold bright colours to stain their wood. You can think of this as a bit of a backlash against the minimal neutral styles that have dominated for the last decade or so. So, if you enjoy adding a splash of colour and personality to your living space, you can do just that with a bold coloured stain. BlackOn the opposite side of the spectrum, black stained wood is also becoming more popular. This is a stain colour that should definitely be used sparingly so as not to make the space too heavy, but it can be truly striking when used for key pieces of furniture. WhiteFor outdoor furniture, white is one of the most popular stain colour choices. It can help your outdoor area to have a beachy look by mimicking the look of bleached driftwood and it can also be a romantic choice when paired with some beautiful floral areas and displays. GreyGrey as an accent colour has been popular for a little while now and you can help to make this colour pop by using it to stain your wooden floor or furniture. Some people are opting for a mix of browns and greys to help bring out the natural beauty of the wood while still hitting those grey notes. BlueBlue is a gorgeously retro colour that has tonnes of appeal. Using blue for your kitchen cabinets will make your kitchen look both modern and vintage and will help it to feel welcoming. How To Care For Stained WoodYou should expect to have to re-stain wood around once every one to two years. A good stain will maintain the natural look of the wood without showing any blotches or blemishes on the surface for a long time but if you think it could do with re-staining sooner than it is always best to just go ahead and do it. Any stained wood surface should be cleaned regularly. Dusting the surface and/or making sure that it is free from dirt and grime using a brush is essential for maintaining the look of the stain. Cleaning with a homemade solution of 1/4 cup of soap and 1tbsp of oil can help to clean the surface and maintain the shine and look of the stain. There is always the potential for something to mark the wood, however, and there are a few methods for dealing with this. Watermarks And Heat Marks On Stained WoodWatermarks are the bane of wooden furniture, and you may worry that the watermarks on your wood surface are permanent. There are a few different methods for removing watermarks, however, that can have some good results. If the water rings are dark, they may have reached further into the wood's surface than can be removed with these methods. In this case, you may have to re-stain and finish the wood. Vinegar And Olive OilThis method works best on watermarks. Combine equal parts vinegar and olive oil and use a cloth to wipe the solution over the wood's surface. The vinegar will help to lift the watermark while the olive oil will help to restore the shine to your furniture. An IronThis method won't work as well if the watermark is completely dry but if it is still wet, you can use a normal iron to help to lift the stain. Empty the iron of water and lay a dry and blank cotton cloth over the watermark. Heat the iron up to a low temperature and press it against the cloth, lifting it every few seconds to check the stain. Toothpaste And Baking SodaThis method works best on white water rings, and it can also be effective on heat marks. Mix equal parts toothpaste and baking soda and rub them into the stain then rub it into the stain until it disappears. Wipe it away and buff the wood with a dry cloth. HairdryerThis method works best on wet stains. Plug the hairdryer in and set it to its highest temperature. Point it at the wood surface where the stain is forming, and blow dry it until the stain disappears. Then use olive oil, tung oil, Danish oil, or any other oil to add some shine back into the wood. Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline)We all have a tub of Vaseline in our bathrooms, and this is a situation where it might come in very handy. This method works best on watermarks and stains. Dab it into the stain, leave overnight, and then rub off the next morning with a clean cloth. MayonnaiseThis might seem like quite a strange idea, but the high levels of oil found in mayonnaise can make it an effective method of removing watermarks and stains. Dab it onto the stain, leave it for a few hours or overnight, and then clean it off. Make sure that you clean the area thoroughly, however, so that the mayonnaise doesn't start to smell. Bleach For Dark PatchesThere is one method that could remove the dark patches from old water stains on your wood and that involves the use of bleach. You can buy wood bleach specifically for this purpose and that is generally your best bet because it will be formulated correctly to not damage the wood underneath. It is always best to do a patch test on an inconspicuous spot before you start working on the main part of the surface just in case the bleach reacts and causes a stain on the wood. Spray or dab the bleach onto the dark patch and leave it for half an hour or so before wiping it off with a damp cloth. You may need to repeat this method a few times before you start to see results. Sticky MarksSticky marks on your furniture, from glue or another material, can be quite difficult to remove. In this situation, oil is your best friend. Any sort of oil would work well, including olive oil and vegetable oil. Rub it into the glue and sticky residue and then leave it for a few hours or overnight. Clean it off thoroughly with soap and water and the glue should come away with it. If the wood surface isn't varnished, the oil may stain the wood. SandingThe last resort for a very stubborn stain is to sand the area lightly to remove it. This method will only work if it is a surface stain as stains that have penetrated into the wood will be too far down for you to sand them off entirely. If this method doesn't work and you can still see the stain, it may be time to re-do the entire surface of the wood with a stain or paint and a finish. The Bottom LineWood stains are a great option for many wood surfaces, both as decoration and as some amount of protection. There are different types of stain that work well for different wood types and situations, and it is entirely possible to put a wood finish over the stain to further protect and enhance the wood. Applying stain can be relatively easy, depending on the type that you are using, and it is quite simple to maintain. If you want to celebrate your wooden furniture or other house and garden features, stain will help to showcase all of its natural beauty! What Is Wood Stain Used For? is courtesy of Homes Direct 365 Limited from Homes Direct 365 | Blog - Feed https://www.homesdirect365.co.uk/blog/2022/02/what-is-wood-stain-used-for/ via Blogger What Is Wood Stain Used For? Wood is an amazing material. Whether it's in a modern, contemporary house or a classic, period property, it adds beauty and elegance to our homes. Even so, wooden surfaces need to be protected from the effects of wear and tear, which is why wood finishes are so useful. With everyday use, wooden furniture can become worn and dull from knocks, scrapes, greasy hands, and even from years of being polished. Sometimes the surface of the wood needs revitalising to restore its natural look and beauty. While some people paint wooden surfaces, others prefer the appeal of the wood grain. Painting hides this quality, which is why we often turn to different wood finishes that allow the natural appearance of the wood to shine through. However, choosing the right wood finish can be a real chore. There are so many different types of wood finishes that it gets confusing. Which one is best? How do you make sure it's the correct one for the wood in your home? Which finish will give the best result? How do you apply them? If this is something you're struggling with, our no-nonsense guide to wood finishes is exactly what you need! We'll go through all the different options here to help you decide which is the best one for you. What Types Of Wood Finishes Are There?Basically, there are two types of wood finishes: surface finishes and penetrating finishes. As you can guess, one coats the surface, while the other penetrates deep into the wood grain. Within these two categories, there are several different options. We'll examine these finishes to explain exactly how they work, how they are applied, and look at their pros and cons. Wood StainMost wood stains are fairly easy to apply and you can usually handle this job yourself. You need to apply multiple coats using a good-quality brush to get the best results, but this should be achievable for anyone with even the most basic DIY experience. The difference between these and some other wood finishes is that they are best used to change the tone of light-coloured wooden surfaces. That is, the stain should be darker than the wood it is covering. This is handy when there are inconsistencies in the appearance, as a good wood stain will hide these and bring out the grain. One of the best things about wood stains is the variety of colours available. However, you can't cover dark wood with a light-coloured stain. The final colour will depend on the number of coats applied. On the negative side, many wood stains don't offer much protection. After the final coat is applied you will need to cover this with a sealer to provide a protective finish. Without this, your wood surface will be susceptible to damage from spills, greasy fingers, and sharp items being dropped onto it. Water-Based StainsThis wood stain is a popular choice because it is safe, easy to apply, and doesn't give off toxic fumes. These stains are also low-odour, which makes them safe for interior use in confined spaces. As well as being environmentally friendly, they are quick-drying (about an hour) and have excellent coverage. They also penetrate the wood effectively and provide even colour across the surface. Other benefits include the fact that these wood stains are highly resistant to mould and mildew, and they can be used on any type of wood, whether inside or outside, new or old. This wood finish can be applied using a foam pad, natural bristle brush, or a cloth. Solvent-Based Wood StainSolvent-based stains are easy to apply and give a smooth finish. One downside is that you'll need a solvent like white spirits to clean down your brushes, hands, and any other equipment you use. Water-based products require only soap and water. Drying time can be a problem, too, as they can take between 2 and 6 hours to dry enough to apply the next coat. Also, these wood stains can be high in VOCs, even up to 75%. This is not only bad for the environment but will also leave a lingering smell of fumes in your home. This is potentially hazardous, especially in confined areas. Wax FinishThis is a traditional wood finish that has been used for hundreds of years. Even so, there are many more products available, some that only contain a small amount of wax as well as a range of additives. For a true wax finish, it's best to keep it as simple as possible. While pure beeswax was once thought to be the best option, it doesn't provide the protection that you get from other finishes if you use it on furniture, so you might want to consider a ready-made brand of paste wax. Wax finishes are ideal for wooden items that aren't handled much, but they aren't the best choice for outdoor furniture as they can be dulled by the sun. It can also be applied over the top of an existing finish to give an extra shine. ShellacShellac is a natural resin produced by the female lac bug, found in India and Thailand. The bugs eat the sap from trees and secrete resin and wax that forms tubes along the branches. These tubes are harvested and heated over a fire to dissolve the resin into liquid form. This is dried on flat sheets and broken into flakes. The colour of the shellac is determined by the sap of the tree, with colours ranging from blonde to garnet. Traditionally, shellac was extremely useful as a safe, non-toxic, natural plastic. Because of this, it had a wide range of applications including dentistry, gramophone records, the motor industry, and ballet shoes! More relevant to our guide, shellac was (and is) used as a primer for wooden surfaces because it prevents penetration from water vapour. It is also great at sealing odours connected with fire damage. Finally, as shellac is compatible with most other types of wood finishes, it is used as a primer to stop pigments or resins bleeding into the final finish, or to prevent wood stains from becoming blotchy. One other benefit of shellac is that it provides UV protection, so it won't darken over the years. However, the wood beneath may darken over time, especially if it is a light-coloured wood such as pine. Although many people refer to shellac as French-Polish, this isn't correct, strictly speaking. Shellac is a substance, whereas French Polishing is a method of applying it. The confusion is probably due to the fact that some products are sold in liquid form ready to use. Most (if not all) professional French Polishers prefer to make their own mix using dry flakes. Oil FinishesOil finishes are one of the best methods to preserve the natural appearance of any wooden surface. Over time, the natural oils within the wood begin to dry out, and oil finishes are a great way to restore and preserve the wood. There are several different oils to choose from: Danish OilThis is a natural drying oil, meaning that it polymerises when it mixes with oxygen to form a hard-wearing, water-resistant surface with a semi-gloss finish. Danish oil is made by combining Tung or Linseed oil with various types of varnish. It is ideal for hardwoods and can be used indoors or outdoors, making it great for garden furniture. One of its best features is that it has a drying time of between 4 and 6 hours. Tung OilAlso known as China oil, this is produced from the nut of the Tung tree. It is often considered an environmentally friendly option as it is natural and contains no VOCs (volatile organic compounds), although it is always best to check the contents as some products are sold as Tung oil but may contain solvents, other oils, or varnishes. Some products don't contain actual Tung oil at all! This oil is particularly resistant to mould and provides a flexible, durable finish. One drawback is the drying time. Although touch-dry in about 24 hours, it can take between 5 and 30 days to cure completely, depending on the air temperature. 100% pure Tung oil takes longer to dry than products that have been diluted with solvents. This oil has a matt finish that darkens the natural colour of the wood. Raw Linseed OilThis is the purest form, without any chemical additives or preservatives. Linseed is a natural oil extracted from flax seeds and is often used in paints and varnishes to give them a smooth finish. It is easy to use and generally more affordable than some of the other options. One downside is that this wood oil has a lengthy drying time, taking around 3 days for each coat. It's best to use this oil on bare or previously oiled wood, as any varnish or wax will stop it from penetrating the grain and sealing the surface. Boiled Linseed OilConfusingly, this isn't boiled! However, hot air is passed through it and it is treated with additives that allow it to dry quicker. Even so, it can still take up to 24 hours. It provides a satin finish that darkens over time. As with the other oils, this penetrates the grain to provide real protection and is water-resistant, without forming a film, unlike varnishes and some wood stains. Teak OilThis is another misleading name, as the oil is not extracted from Teak, as you might expect. It is called Teak oil as it is intended for use on Teak wood. Most manufacturers have their own blend of oils and varnishes that they market as Teak oil. These usually contain a mix of Linseed and Tung oils with various thinners or varnishes. Although eco-friendly products are available, it's always best to check the contents thoroughly. Some brands contain substances that are hazardous to humans and animals. They may give off toxic fumes and ingesting even a small amount may be harmful, if not fatal. Teak oil is not food-safe, so it can't be used for chopping boards or anything that comes into contact with foodstuffs. Teak oil is very water-resistant and dries within 4 to 6 hours to provide a matt finish. A Word Of Warning:Rags that are soaked in any of these wood oils must be disposed of carefully! As the oil is exposed to the air it starts to oxidise, generating heat. A crumpled rag provides insulation and allows the heat to build up, and this can spontaneously combust. The entire process can take as long as three hours, and if other solvents are in the vicinity they will ignite. Oily rags should be laid out flat to dry on a non-combustible surface, or soaked in water in a sealed metal container. They can then be disposed of at a hazardous waste facility or placed in with your usual waste as long as you are certain that they no longer present a fire risk. Each of these different oil wood finishes is pretty easy to use and generally require three coats when used on bare wood. All of them are excellent for enhancing interior wooden surfaces and wooden furniture, bringing out the beauty of the natural grain. Superficial scratches can easily be fixed with a local application of oil. Wood VarnishEssentially, varnishes are paints without pigment. Many are solvent-based, such as polyurethane varnish, containing three basic elements: varnish oils that harden on exposure to air, resin to add strength and body, and thinners, a solvent that makes the product easier to apply and which evaporates, allowing the varnish to cure and harden. Most are clear or have a slight tint to them and they are available in satin or high-gloss finishes. Acrylic varnishes have become more popular these days as they are water-based and more eco-friendly. One benefit of wood varnish is that they don't usually require a primer or undercoat. If required, a varnish can be applied over a wood stain to provide extra protection. French PolishFrench polishing is a traditional method of wood finishing dating from the 18th century, using shellac and denatured alcohol. To avoid confusion, as we already mentioned shellac above, French polish is not a product but is the method of applying multiple layers to get the desired finish. It requires skill and precision to get the best results and is best left to the professionals. If you do plan to tackle this job yourself, it's wise to make sure you have all the tools and equipment. You'll also need plenty of space to store the item safely while the wood dries. The procedure itself sounds simple, but it takes time to master. Here's a basic outline of the French Polishing process: MaterialsShellac flakes of the desired colour, denatured alcohol (such as methylated spirits), sandpaper in various grit sizes, polishing 'rubber' or rubbing pad (wool or gauze tightly wrapped in cotton fabric), tack cloths (cheesecloth impregnated with beeswax), Linseed or mineral oil, polishing mop. PreparationThis is essential to the success of the project. The wood surface must be stripped of any old varnish, wax, or polish. The entire surface should be rubbed down with a fine abrasive paper. If the surface has an open grain and you desire a high-gloss mirror finish, a grain filler will need to be applied. The other alternative is to use extra coats of polish and rub them down with ultra-fine steel wool. You'll also need to mix your polish. Generally speaking, 250g of shellac flakes to 1 litre of methylated spirits is a good starting point, and then you can add more of either to thicken the mix or thin it out. Use a glass jar with a secure lid and keep the mix away from naked flames as it is highly flammable. You can shake the jar every so often to speed up the process, but you need to allow about 24 hours for the flakes to dissolve fully. Alternatively, you can use a premixed liquid from a good DIY store. Make and Load The French Polishing 'Rubber'Wrap a square of lint-free cotton cloth around some wadding made of clean scraps of wool, gauze, or cotton. Pour a small amount of the polish mix onto the wadding. Bring the corners together and tie them to form a pear-shaped rubbing pad, making sure that the base is flat and free from creases. Squeeze the rubbing pad to bring the polish through to the surface. If there's too much, squeeze some back into the jar. If there's not enough, then add some more. A properly loaded rubber will glide across the surface easily without leaving too much polish. Circular or figure-of-eight strokes should be made along the grain and should start by sliding onto the surface from one side and off of the other. Try to avoid placing the rubber directly on the wooden surface as this will leave a mark that's hard to get rid of. If the rubbing pad drags, then you either need to apply less pressure or squeeze the pad to push through more liquid. Once you have passed the pad over the surface several times, it may start to stick anyway. If so, add a few drops of oil using your fingertips, and this will allow the pad to glide more easily. HardeningAfter a few applications, allow it to dry for a couple of hours before adding more. It is also advisable to rub the surface down using 320 grit sandpaper or 0000 fine grade steel wool. Spiriting OffOnce the required number of applications has been reached, a new rubber should be loaded with a 2:1 mix of shellac and denatured alcohol. This is then used in exactly the same way as before, using circular motions along the grain. Finally, pour a 50/50 mix of shellac and alcohol onto the pad and use quick, light movements across the surface to remove any spots and produce a pleasing finish. Carved SectionsAny decorated areas that you can't cover using the rubber should be coated using the polishing mop. The same principle applies to the rest of the process, and strokes should be light, never allowing the mop to stay in one place. Mirror FinishIf a mirror finish is desired, leave the item to dry for a week or so, then go over the surface with an ultra-fine grade steel wool. Any dust should be removed using a tack cloth. The surface can then be brought to a high-gloss sheen using a branded burnishing cream. Soft SheenIf a mirror finish isn't your thing, you can achieve a softer sheen by leaving the item to harden for several days before rubbing it down with the steel wool. You can then apply a wax polish to create a softer look. When done properly, the results are stunning! The secret lies in the fact that many layers (usually more than 100) are added to form a thick, protective layer with a glossy finish. This finish is ideal for everything from your coffee table to your prized 'heirloom' wooden furniture, antique restoration, or musical instruments. Wood DyesWood dye offers the advantage of changing the colour of your wooden object completely. You can still choose from a range of colours that resemble natural wood grains. However, there are also blues, greens, reds, and oranges that will add a real splash of colour to your wooden fixtures, fittings, and furniture. Wood dyes are similar in some ways to wood stains. They can be easily applied by brush and it's a fairly straightforward process. Most will be touch-dry within 20 minutes and ready for another coat within 2 hours. Lacquer FinishThe main difference between a lacquer finish and wood varnish is that lacquers are harder and more durable. Also, lacquers are always solvent-based and can be applied using a spray gun as well as painted on by brush. The main negative point about lacquers is that they are highly flammable, and using spray equipment can be a messy process. It also needs a great deal of precision to get the desired results. However, it is quick to dry and provides an amazing finish. Which One Is Best?Each of these different wood finishes has its own benefits and drawbacks. Your choice of wood finish will depend on the job in hand, whether you are tackling this yourself, and whether you prefer a more environmentally friendly option. Always be 100% certain before taking on the job yourself, and use professionals when possible. With the right choice of finish, your wooden surface is going to look fantastic. Types Of Wood Finishes Find more on: Homes Direct 365 French Furniture from Homes Direct 365 | Blog - Feed https://www.homesdirect365.co.uk/blog/2022/02/types-of-wood-finishes/ via Blogger Types Of Wood Finishes |
Company BioHomesdirect365 are an online only retailer specialising in antique French furniture, shabby chic furniture, mirrored furniture & french bedroom furniture available for all rooms of the home from bathroom vanity units to decorative mirrors to gorgeous bedroom sets. Archives
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