Thingz Contemporary Interior Design Blog

When modern décor is mentioned, the ordinary layperson usually envisions lots of chrome perhaps partnered with black or white leather. It looks very streamlined, rather minimalist, perhaps a little futuristic… We know that is not always the case for modern or contemporary interiors. All sorts of materials are possible elements in contemporary décor. A favorite and very tasteful feature in many a contemporary interior is an exotic wood finish.
Wood can be very stylish. It adds the suggestion of nature in a decorative setup. Of course, in picking wood furniture, you have to be mindful of practical things such as durability, style associations, staining, finishing, etc. Nowadays, wood finishes figure prominently in contemporary design. The choices for wood finish are more than ever now. Many like the appeal of a wood finish and the organic touch it brings. In the past, exotic wood was ordinarily used for such things as musical instruments, jewelry and decorative accents, but now entire furniture sets can be made of it. Naturally, it takes an expert furniture builder to be cognizant of such things as natural oils and resins to know how to properly finish an exotic wood.
Two of the primary factors to consider when choosing what type of wood finish to go for are the purpose of the furniture and the environment it will be in. You have to know how and for what the furniture is going to be used. For instance, you may want to use a non-toxic oil finish for something like a butcher’s block, an easy to clean glossy paint finish for a kitchen work surface, or a finish with fungicide for something that may be exposed to the elements. Exotic wood is preferably finished with oil as an oil finish brings out the natural beauty and the grain details of the wood.
Some popular exotic wood finishes are dark mahogany, macassar ebony, natural walnut and zebrawood. Of course, you have to realize that color is also an important element in choosing a wood finish. Dark colors such as those on mahogany and macassar ebony tend to be more transitional, complementing both traditional and contemporary settings. Lighter colors blend in better in a casual setup.
Mahogany is exceptionally popular as it is both practical and attractive, not to mention highly versatile. Dark mahogany furniture makes a smart investment as it is easy to find separate pieces in the same material or finish. Dark mahogany, as is typical in dark wood colors, never goes out of style.

It is not wrong to want nice things for your home or office. And of course at Thingz we believe that a beautiful, well decorated home is an essential right!  But in today’s environment, it is certainly considered environmentally conscientious to be aware of how something was made, of what it is made and where the materials originates before you acquire and enjoy it. After all, you wouldn’t want to be part of a system that includes things such as child labor, deforestation, and illegal mining … right?

Home entertainment has come a long way since the television first became a household staple. As technology simplifies – or complicates, depending on the way you look at it – entertainment media, you have to keep pace with it to accommodate whatever upgrade it comes up with and allow the easy inclusion of new products in your home.

If you’re the type who is very particular about design or the type who wants her furniture to be absolutely unique, then custom furniture is the way to go for you. If you just can’t seem to find something that you’re looking for, customized is also the answer. If you’re creative and prefer to add your own twist to furniture, customization gives you the freedom to express and put your mark on pieces.