Soft Woods The following information has been provided to you by the Hardwood Information Center. The terms hardwood and softwood refer to botanical groupings rather than physical characteristics (hardwoods come from broad-leaf trees, softwood trees have needles) but the terms are useful since they do describe the general quality of the woods. The use of pine and fir in furniture making exploded following the industrial revolution in Europe in the late 19th century. Antique English and Welsh pine furniture is prized by collectors for combining rustic finish and traditional design and detailing. Dig It Designs uses these woods primarily for antique reproductions in the Elizabethan and Georgian styles as well as rustic and distressed country and Spanish style pieces. Redwood is a very porous pine with a widely varied grain. It wears well in outdoor environments. With a handsome grain receptive to a variety of finishes, alderwood provides a cost-effective alternative to the traditional hardwoods used for fine furniture and cabinets. Though slightly less durable than hardwoods, many people appreciate the beauty and value alder provides. These woods combine strength with a wide variety of color, texture and figure. From “blonde” colored birch and beech, rich red cherry, warm brown walnut and deep mahogany, hardwoods allow you to find just the right look and feel for your home. There are many cuts of hardwoods which offer highly unique figuring (grain pattern). This figuring is found in particular sections of the tree or by the way the log is cut. Burl, crotch, stump, birds-eye, quarter sawn and rift cuts all offer designs which can make for extraordinary furniture. African Wenge is a blackish wood with caramel accents, and offers a truly unique look for contemporary furniture. Sustainably harvested exotic hardwoods such as Brazilian Ipe and Ironwoods are valued for their extraordinary strength and beautiful coloring: ideal for outdoor uses. One important trend is the use of woods salvaged from old structures and given a second life in new pieces. These reclaimed woods have a character and patina that can’t be replicated in the shop and ensure that the furniture has a life of its own. Also, aged wood has the advantage of being more stable than new lumber. Characteristics of reclaimed wood may include rough-sawing, nail holes, and mature color. This wood is mostly of the Douglas Fir variety.
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