For our legacy to survive, our construction must be as enduring as
our timeless designs are. We use the same proven construction
methods that 18th century cabinetmakers used; mortise and tenon,
dovetails, and nails covered by wooden pegs.
Shown here, the mortise and tenon joint is created by chiseling
a rectangular hole in one piece of wood. A tenon is then sawn on
the second piece of wood and inserted in the mortise. The
resulting joint is stronger than any other method of joining two
pieces of wood together. This joint is considered to be too time
consuming to be used in mass produced furniture, where the doweled
joint takes its place. The doweled joint however will fail over
time. As wood ages and dries, it shrinks more across its grain
than it does through its grain. That means that over time a round
dowel becomes oval. As the dowel shrinks and becomes oval and the
hole it is in remains round, the glue joint between the two is
broken and the furniture falls apart. With our mortise and tenon
joint the grain is aligned so that any shrinkage in one piece is
equal to that in the second piece and no joint failure occurs,
the furniture lasts.
|
 |
|
|
 |
Our construction methods are
basically the same as those used in the 18th century. The
old methods are better than more recent techniques. This is
not true, however, with furniture finishing. We use water
based aniline dye stains and catalyzed lacquers to create
our finishes. These environmentally friendly finishes
represent the latest technology. They resist water very
well, and can produce colors that before only time could
create. Their deep rich colors accentuate the wood's natural
figuring and its variation from light to dark. Our lacquers
produce a dull effect similar in appearance to an antique
finish that was once glossy and has mellowed to a soft
luster over time. Prior to finishing we sand the wood, but
only until it is smooth to the touch. Sanding beyond that
point burnishes the wood so that it loses its natural
appearance. That type of excessive sanding became popular
with furniture factories after World War II. It was their
way of showing the public that they had the latest machinery
to produce the "perfect product." We prefer to allow the
wood to retain its character, leaving minor variations such
as the tiny sap pockets that are characteristic of Cherry
and occasional tool marks. These "imperfections" give our
furniture an obviously handmade appearance. |
|
|
About our stain colors: We make our own stains right here
in our shop in Virginia. Mr. Case has designed 12 exclusive colors
for our furniture. These special dye stains create colors that are
much richer than those offered by the mainstream furniture
industry. Unlike pigment stains that tend to mask the wood grain,
our stains allow the grain to come alive in a variety of subtlety
different shades. The down side to our stains is that they tend to
be a little inconsistent. Things like the humidity and temperature
on any given day can cause them to be lighter or darker. We can
provide you with actual wood samples, however please be aware that
the actual furniture will likely be different than the sample.
Care of Furniture: Our furniture is finished with one of
the most durable finishes that today’s technology can produce.
However, it is important not to lose sight of the fact that is
made of solid wood, and when a hot dish or a cup of hot liquid is
placed directly on the surface, moisture may be drawn from the
wood and be trapped under the topcoat, causing a ring or
discoloration to form. Also, the finish and the wood under it may
be scratched and dented. These things do not mean that the
furniture or the finish is defective; rather, it is indicative of
the fact that care must be exercised in the use of solid wood
furniture. See WARRANTY & CARE
page for more information. |
|
1-800-985-2725
