Reproduction furniture in Clues

Buying reproduction-furniture in Jepara town there are 3 things among the clues that must be cleared up

1. What quality and technical-specification details, as no standard been applied for it
2. Whom you deal with, reliability and credibility, a matter of Trust.
3. How the Legal aspects are i.e: export license, payment security, sales-contract

Products: the very basic and important to confirm are

Wood:
Mostly are using Mahogany wood and a few of Mindi, Agathis, Dagmar, Teak
Top issues are:

1. -MC=moisture content, is it wet or dry enough to use.
2. -Age of tree, it is 30 cm diameter Up or Below.
3. -Sap wood, knot and core or heart, assortment
4. -Termite and bugs, the treatment and prevention.

Structure:
Awareness of 4 climate environment which need workmanship performances,

between the 2 path-way of "wood working craftsmanship" against "Nail and Glue", especially in using fresh-cut wood for "full wood furniture.
Critical issues are:

1. Jointing of each pieces wood and components. Also the assembling of intersection.
2. Space allowance for wide boards for adapting the wood movements
3. Implementation of T&G, Bird dove, wooden clutches, finger-joint, support, stretcher reinforce and wooden-corner etc.

In order to perform

• -Top table not crack, splitting, bending etc
• -Drawer, running smooth and stopper.
• -Doors, not twisting, bending and crack.
• -Side and back of case not splitting, cracking
• -Seating units, sturdiness and weight support for safety.

Hardware accessories,
if not by request mostly are using cheap metal product.
Common Cases: rusty screw, broken hinges, loosen knob etc.

Upholstery,
very rare to find good fabrics and foam in town, the local materials are not fire retarder(anti flame), actually it is available at big cities and import ones.
As for leather, generally in local market are low quality brand ones, the high quality one(tannin, non split, chrome, full grain, elastic, good color) is available from other cities.
Tips:
The foam(sponge) for seat should be minimum DS 30% dense and elastic, otherwise it will get flat after awhile. In local market are available with range of density between 16 to 24 %.

Carving,
the skill of hand-carving for reproduction antique is delicate works, the cost will be nearly a half of the raw-stuff cost.

1. the master level(Artisan) with 3 dimensional deep carving and the style or character.
2. the 2 dimension-carving, works with averages or moderate.
3. the common one are the so so looks like or just-carving, which is far from similarity to any character or style. The last one is not replica antique it is just the re production that been carved with any motifs. Among the craftsmen it is so call as Semarang-an=Sembarangan carving style=improper motif. Meaning that to carving it with any style, just some carvings on it.

Finishing,

the last but very important factor is finishing process, starting with the fine sanding, wood stain and the top coating. there are so many details to describe about finishing i.e.: the materials, the process, the luster or reflection effect etc. so variously.

Tips:

1. Fine sanded, Smooth and Clean is the most determinant factor.
2. either one, the less maintenance and durable is the choice.
3. It could be in dark and deep color but the wood lines and grain is remain visible, at least
4. whilst the luster of Clear-gloss and or Matt-doff is relatively preferential.

Salad de Articles

• What Product Design Problems Do You Want Solved? (apartmenttherapy.com)
• Best deals of the day: furniture (telegraph.co.uk)
• Compact Design for Cozy Quarters: Seating Trays by Tanya Aguiñiga (craftzine.com)