Furniture changes with time; not just the style and quality of the furniture, but the technology represented in how that furniture is made and how it functions. At one time, wealthy Mayan people in southern Mexico and Central America used only a mattress on a stone platform as their bed. This bed was somehow considered … Read more
An attractive staircase can add a lot to a home’s appearance. Stately homes were often known for their grand staircases off the entry foyer. While most of us don’t have those stately homes, many have a staircase, which might even be one off the entry foyer. The design and style of any staircase or stair … Read more
Wood-framed buildings use standard dimensional lumber as the load-carrying members, divided into two categories: posts, which are vertical elements holding up the structure’s weight and transferring that weight to the foundation, and beams, which support the weight between the poles. Of the two, posts are much more easily understood, as they only have to be … Read more
Amongst woodworking, the cooper’s craft of making barrels stands unique. The ability to turn wood into a waterproof vessel, capable of holding water or other liquids without any adhesives, requires extreme accuracy and excellent artistry. Yet in times past, this was done with hand tools, working primarily by eye. Today, the art of barrel making … Read more
Maple Plywood is a popular grade of hardwood for furniture-making projects and other purposes. This delicate, tight-grained wood species is exceptionally white and complex and quickly provides a smooth surface. The wood species’ natural grain pattern is smooth and much more subtle than many other hardwoods and wood species, making it a popular choice for … Read more