 | Don Swank is General Manager of Spring Valley Woodworks, Inc. in Canton, KS. Spring Valley custom builds commercial furnishings for businesses throughout an area of the Midwest of approximately 500 to 700 miles radius of Canton, with the care and precision of its more than 30 year Mennonite tradition. These commercial furnishings include but are not limited to Desks, Credenzas, U-Units, L-Units, U-Groups, Hutches, Files and Workstations, made in a variety of woods including Walnut, Oak, Cherry, Birch, Ash, Mahogany, Poplar, Teak and more. You can visit Spring Valley Woodworks at www.springvalleywood.com. You can contact Don by email don@springvalleywood.com, or call him at Spring Valley Woodworks, 620-345-8330. |
Furniture
2012-11-19 10:16:02
Why are they called office furnishings?
Q- I have been reading your recent articles on the vernacular associated with commercial furnishings. I don’t know why someone hasn’t done this before. Can you go a little further in your explanation?
A- Last month we talked about how office furnishings are often divided into three categories: office furniture, technology and office supplies. While office supplies are the smaller, often inexpensive, items that are used in, around, and on office furniture, the pieces of furniture are the major items that make up the furnishings of the office. We have discussed desks, credenzas, hutches, computer carts and stands and seating (chairs). This month we will begin to talk about the two main classifications of office furnishings being that of custom-made and ready-made, factory-made or pre-fabricated, plus the various types of wood, stains and fillers that are used for these items.
Some companies choose custom-made wood furnishings. Contractors work with the business to build shelving, desks or other pieces that are tailored to the exact wants and needs of the customer. Typically, this option is more expensive than purchasing ready-made wood office furniture. For more limited budgets, pre-fabricated office furniture is a lower-priced option to custom-made varieties. Pre-fabricated, or ready-made, wood office pieces may be in fine hardwood. They may be sold assembled or unassembled. Less expensive, lighter in weight ready-made wood office furniture is often sold flat-packed, which is unassembled. Flat-packed office furniture is assembled by the purchaser. Often, these are simpler styles than those sold already assembled, such as wood legs with a glass top that form a modern desk.
Pine wood office furniture is less expensive, but not as elegant looking, as pieces made from hardwoods such as oak and cherry. However, its rustic look can work well in more casual office spaces. Pine may also be finished in a dark stain to make it appear more like its hardwood counterpoints. To bring out the rustic, knotty qualities of pine wood desks, shelves and tables, however, a light stain or natural oil can be used. Pine furniture can dent and scratch quite easily, but this can also add to its rustic appearance.
Oak office furniture is a popular choice, known for its quality and weight. This beautiful wood is heavy and majestic, lending an air of formality and gravity to any office setting. Choosing the best oak office furniture is a matter of taste and budget, as the mighty wood can be crafted to suit a variety of design styles.
In order to choose the best oak office furniture, first consider the style of design desired. Oak lends itself to certain aesthetics, such as early American, mission, arts and crafts, and French renaissance design. Choosing a style that will suit the needs and atmosphere of the office can be a big step toward narrowing down choices for oak office furniture. It is important to consider the difference between solid oak furniture and oak veneers. A veneer is a coating of oak material placed over a body of another kind of material. Oak veneer is usually considerably less expensive than solid oak, and may be available in a wider range of color and finish. Solid oak furniture is made entirely of oak, is typically very heavy and quite durable. Both veneer and solid oak can be treated with clear or colored glaze to protect the finish and alter the tone of the wood.
Cherry trees produce one of the most desirable woods used to make furniture. Cherry wood is a brown American hardwood that has a hint of pink or dark red to it. Cherry wood darkens with age and this quality is considered both desirable and beautiful. Light cherry wood furniture tends to look warmer, yet less formal than dark cherry. Cherry wood is known for being durable and attractive, which is why buying a cherry wood desk for your office can add a touch of class. Choosing one that will not only look good but also fit in the selected area, accommodate your needs, and match your current decor is crucial. Fortunately, there is a range of cherry wood desks available. If your office space is limited, a cherry wood computer desk that can be positioned comfortably into a corner might be best. This kind typically has a 90° angle that fits well in a corner instead of a flat back that fits against a wall. Some corner desks made of cherry wood have one simple surface on which to place a computer or papers, while others have several shelves stacked above the main surface for easy organization. You should also decide if you need drawers before you buy your cherry wood desk, though many desks allow room for growth with a matching cherry wood hutch that you can buy separately at a later date.
I will be back with more next month.
