| There was a time when bare human hands made | | | | for the outer wood parts. The upholstery is also |
| furniture possible. This went on for hundreds and | | | | normally exposed to chemical treatment, either to |
| hundreds of years when craftsmen used their | | | | slow down its ability to catch fire or simply ward off |
| individual artistry and skills in creating those | | | | stains or both. |
| passionate, intricate designs known to furniture of | | | | As a result, potentially harmful gases are emitted into |
| that era. Each piece was never exactly alike any | | | | the air, often causing allergic reactions from sensitive |
| other and that added to the mystique that came | | | | users. The fumes are not only irritating. They're |
| with each finished masterpiece. By the 1800's, | | | | unhealthy as well, especially when they come from |
| however, factories went into mass production of | | | | within your bedroom and even from within your bed |
| furniture and allowed huge savings for manufacturers | | | | while you try desperately to get a good night's sleep. |
| since it only took simple machines to do the job and | | | | If you're looking for a healthier alternative, try solid |
| a few human positions. As a result, prices went | | | | wood furniture. While they're not that great in |
| down, much to the delight of the buying public. But | | | | number, manufacturers who specialize in solid wood |
| they found out later that the quality had gone down | | | | furniture are actually there just waiting for you give |
| as well. This probably explains why hand-crafted | | | | their merchandise a shot. They do have a whole |
| pieces made from solid wood and natural fabrics now | | | | range of choices from bedroom furniture collections |
| are seldom produced and often expensive. | | | | to dining room collections. |
| These days, furniture makers combine different | | | | Once you start looking, you'll find that pine and oak |
| materials and techniques in producing different | | | | are the most common types of solid wood furniture, |
| furniture genres. Some construct furniture with solid | | | | although their natural terpenes and tannins could be |
| wood such as pine or cheap hardwood mixed with | | | | quite irritating to sensitive individuals. Solid maple, |
| synthetic materials such as hardboard and plywood. | | | | beech, birch or cherry could be more preferable in |
| Some make theirs using very thin layers of solid | | | | that case. If you are extremely sensitive, you might |
| wood known as hardwood veneers with plastic | | | | need your furniture custom built as finished products |
| sheets permanently attached to them. Generally, | | | | would still normally have drawers and backings made |
| processing wooden furniture entails the use of | | | | of plywood which emits both formaldehyde and |
| synthetic stains and finishes to create a desired look | | | | terpenes. |