Month: October 2018

When it comes to wooden furniture, not all designs are created equally. There are certain materials which are extremely expensive and in order to appreciate their presence on the market, let us take a look at some of the most costly (and elegant) examples that are currently available.

Purple Heart Wood

As the name suggests, one of the reasons why this wood is so expensive arises from its natural purple hue. It is also difficult to source; growing in hard-to-access regions such as the Amazon. This wood is also notoriously hard; leading to increased labour costs during production.

Sandalwood

While sandalwood is rather common, it is highly valued due to its natural aroma as well as certain medicinal benefits. It is said that the scent of sandalwood can last for decades if treated properly. Thus, is makes sense that this type of furniture is priced quite high.

African Blackwood

One of the most interesting facts associated with this type of wood is that it is used to make a variety of musical instruments such as the oboe and the clarinet. Its near-black colour also adds to a unique aesthetic appeal. African Blackwood is rather scarce and when used to make furniture, it can be quite expensive.

Ebony Wood

Believe it or not, ebony wood can cost as much as £9,000 pounds per kilogram. It exhibits a pure black colour and due to its density, ebony wood is one of the only woods that will sink when placed in water. It exhibits a very rich grain and due to a superior sense of durability, this wood is often used to make the black pieces found on a chessboard. While not entirely rare, the supplies are limited.

Pink Ivorywood

Found within specific regions of Africa, this is a final wood associated with extremely expensive pieces of furniture. It offers a deep pink hue and it is extremely hard. Notwithstanding furniture applications, Pink Ivorywood is also used to manufacture high-end billiard cues.

While you are not likely to encounter any of these species within your home, it is still a wise idea to expose the natural wood associated with doors and windows to increase their organic appeal. If you would like to know what might exist underneath countless layers of paint, please utilise our door stripping services. You might be surprised to learn what is present!

While furniture will often be passed down from generation to generation, there are some pieces that have truly withstood the test of time. Let’s look at five examples of ancient furniture that still exist today.

1. A 400-Year-Old Bed

It is rumoured that a bed within the United Kingdom bed has accommodated 15 generations of sleepers. Not only has it retained its initial elegance, but experts believe that it was originally built in the latter half of the 16th century.

2. The Chair of St. Augustine

This is another example of a well-preserved piece of furniture. The Chair of St. Augustine dates as far back as the 13th century and while not currently in use, it is an excellent example of timeless craftsmanship.

3. Egyptian Table

As Egypt was located primarily within a desert environment, there was scant wood available to make furniture. This is why such pieces were reserved for royalty ans similarly powerful figures. Still, there are examples of tables which can be traced back to at least 2,000 BCE. These pieces are normally found within tombs that were not disturbed by grave robbers.

4. Turkish Treasures

In the city of Gordion (near present-day Ankara in Turkey), archaeologists discovered a veritable treasure trove of ancient furniture. Many of these tables and chairs are thought to date back for more than 2,700 years. One of the reasons why they were preserved is associated with the relatively dry climate and the fact that they remained buried for millennia without being disturbed. In fact, some of these pieces have been associated with the legendary King Midas.

5. The Door to Westminster Abbey

This famous door is thought to be slightly over 950 years old. What is even more impressive is that this wooden artefact is still in use today. This door has enjoyed a long and sometimes dark history. It was rumoured that strange fragments fastened to its front were actually flayed human skin. Science later proved that they were merely segments of cowhide.

Are you hoping to discover the history of your home? Do you want to restore any associated wooden items to their former glory? If so, please contact Premium Door Stripping to learn more about our restoration processes. You could very well be surprised at what lies beneath copious layers of paint and varnish!