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Furniture from India, Indonesia and the Far East is finding its way into our homes more and more. Understandably a lot of this furniture is beautifully handcrafted sometimes with elegant carvings and finished in a choice of waxes.
Most hardwood furniture in the UK has been European or American. Overtime hardwoods from India have moved in with lovely grain patterns glowing through honey wax colours.
Most common for garden furniture is Acacia I have even seen this in Ikea. Also referred to in parts of Asia as the Cameleon wood. In direct sunlight the wood turns to shades of red, in shade more sandy and brown or dependant on the wax used.
Most home furniture is made from Sheesham wood also known as Indian Rosewood. This wood has beautiful grain and can be finish in luxurious honey brown colours, looks great in antique mahogany.
An Alternative is Mangowood or other fruit woods which have simular grains to each other, short dashes run through the wood. Naturally this wood is silver grey but can be finished in a range of colours. Widely seen in a lot of stores. This is a softwood which can be easily dented, but if taken care of is very nice, sometimes over priced as this is not a hardwood.
Things to remember when buying real wood furniture is mostly common sense and eco. Is the wood from government plantations are trees replaced? Has the wood been dried correctly stopping or only allowing minimum cracks in the furniture. Is the wood treated and sealed correctly.
You must always remember wood is a living thing even when it has been shaped into furniture so you must allow for movement, sticky drawers in Winter, moving doors and so on. All this is the nature and character of the wood.
I will right shortly about furniture care.