With constant campaigning by environmentalists over the past two decades, it is somewhat understandable that many people believe their solid oak furniture exists thanks to those friends of the environment. The vast range of home office and dining room furniture that has developed over the same period seems to support the idea, but this is not actually true.
In fact, the solid wood furniture has been around for millennia, with some crude but imaginative versions dating back to the ancient world. Always a symbol of luxury and status, the most elaborate solid oak furniture through the ages has been celebrated splendors, but these ?either had hidden wooden aspects or were complete beds of indulgence, with in cushions, soft matting, silks and linen.
It was not until the 18th century that other types of wood began to be used in furniture, and metal framework also made its first appearance. ?The pieces of metal furniture were advertised as insect free alternatives to wood, which could, naturally, be eaten by termites or wood worm.
Furniture has come quite some distance since it first began to appear many years ago, from the Neolithic Period where they used stones as furniture. The renaissance brought about the introduction of heavy, oak wood in which furniture was carved by hand, which was a significant development on the first evidence of oak furniture from the 8th century, where tables and serving stands were found in Turkey.
Earth craftsmanship was relied upon, with many examples inlaid with detailed and ornate carvings. Obviously, the most splendid examples of this craftsmanship was reserved for those who could afford it, but amongst the merchants and gentry, the importance of solid oak furniture or other hardwood has in terms of status symbol was significant.
Since then, beds and other furniture has developed into more comfortable, practical and, perhaps most importantly, more affordable items of furniture. But with the exception of the early centuries in Medieval Europe, it was wood that was used to make the oak furniture which professionals, merchants and the gentry all used.
With such a close history, there can be no surprise then that wood remains a favourite material for furniture, despite the developments made in metal work and the arrival of lighter metals like aluminium.
The reasons for using wood in the past are not hard to imagine. Even a thousand years ago, wood was a freely available material, and building furniture from wood was as natural as building a house from it. As such, the material was not expensive, though the cost of craftsmanship did cost a bit.
Also, wood was the most durable material to use, with the exception of stone, a fact proven by the existence today of oak beams, panelling and, indeed, furniture, some 500 years after they were first fashioned.
Today, the motives behind using solid oak furniture have changed only slightly. Affordability will always play a part in decisions, and the fact that wood is still prevalent means that they are not expensive at all. The type of wood may increase the price, with solid pine wood furniture and beds somewhat lower in price than solid mahogany or oak. The composite option, meanwhile, means that the wood finish is possible, reducing the cost even further.
We also live in a consumer paradise, with choices everywhere. Hardwood or softwood options abound, as does the range of home office furniture, which means that the style and image that one wants is always available. Whatever the preference, whether sophisticated, elaborate, contemporary, minimalist or rustic, there is the furniture out there for you.
However, there is no denying that purchasing dining room furniture does tend to make us feel good about ourselves, particularly when we know that the wood used came from a responsibly run forest. We have, by our actions, done just a little to help the environment along.
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