Finish

Finish

Few things are more striking than a well finished piece of wooden furniture. The act of taking something as rough as a raw piece of wood and bringing it to a fine finish is the very definition of refinement. Prior to finishing, the piece is beautiful but vulnerable.

Most people have never encountered a piece of cherry wood at its fullest aesthetic potential. When people first experience this furniture, they often seem surprised at the beauty of the wood itself and its compelling touchability. The finishes I use are chosen because they don’t interfere with the natural color and beauty of the material but bring out its true depth and character.

A good finish begins with sanding. Sanding is an art form in itself. Even before assembly, all parts are sanded several times, each time using a finer grit, until no scratches are visible to the eye. During the finishing process, the sanding continues to get finer until a smooth, glassy finish emerges. There is no room for compromise during this task. The process is painstaking, but worth every bit of the effort.

When deciding on which finish to use for a particular piece, my goal is always to show the wood in its purest state while providing a level of protection that is appropriate for its use. Today I am using a conversion Lacquer because of its superior durability and relative ease of use. All finishes, wether oil and wax or varnish are an attempt at leaving a thin protective film in and on the surface of the wood to keep eveyday use from degrading the appearance.