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Finishing Tip
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Refinishing a found furniture piece with one of our eco-friendly refinishes, is an ultra-green way to go. Former Furniture is a Web site for buyers and sellers of previously owned furniture. Well-made furniture can have many lives.
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Friends, Finds & Collaborations
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Star Education
has tons of cool educational and recreational programs for kids in
California. Our favorite has to be the woodworking program, especially
since they use wood scraps from our shop!
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| Dear Reader,
Welcome!
This (almost) monthly e-newsletter will answer the questions that
people always seem to ask when we tell them our business, woodworking.
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Good Wood (Part One: FSC)
What does your client want? A sticker or something?"
Not too many years ago, in 2006, I spent hours sourcing FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) walnut plywood for architect, David Hertz's Panel House.
Vendors
either had no idea what I was asking for, or they were confused. They
mixed up FSC-certified with NAUF (no-added urea formaldehyde). The fact
that I was asking for both in one product, was unheard of.
One
vendor stands out in my mind. Clearly annoyed with my inquiries, he
said "our products come from mills that have to put up with all kinds
of regulations already, so the plywood is already certified. What does
your client want? A sticker or something?"
Actually, yes. Fortunately, Jeff Niedermeyer, at Valencia Lumber, found me. His business card has the "sticker" that I wanted, the FSC logo.
"Products
carrying the FSC label are independently certified to assure consumers
that they come from forests that are managed to meet the social,
economic and ecological needs of present and future generations." (That's straight from their web site.)
Just yesterday, my shop neighbor, Topher,
popped over asking if I wanted to split a unit, that's 44 sheets, of
FSC certified shop maple ply. Shop ply is used for things like stained
cabinet interiors or painted exteriors, an essential building block.
Topher
told me the price he was quoted. Ouch! Some vendors claim to carry FSC
products, when in reality they just wait for the customer to ask. They
stipulate buying a whole unit and charge a premium. They ride the green
marketing lift, but don't keep the products in stock. Valencia treats
FSC as a standard item. The price is comparable to the ubiquitous
non-certified versions.
So, the supply of certified lumber is
improving, but there's room to grow. Even a pro-active company like
Valencia can't afford to keep all certified products on hand, as green
buyers are still in a minority. Many woodshops or builders either don't
care, expect it will be too expensive, or they fear some sort of delay
or hassle.
Our use of wood is not purely structural. We select wood because of its color and
texture. Wood endures time and the elements,
but with it's unique patterns and forms, no two boards are alike. A
piece of wood's uniqueness reflects our own. We choose wood to bring
the tree into our home. Aside from the environmental imperative, asking
for FSC certified materials and thus assuring the health and prosperity
of the world's forests is akin to taking care of ourselves, our
families, everyone.
Homeowners and furniture buyers, architects and interior designers,
woodworkers and craftspeople, specifying certified wood drives more
vendors to provide FSC products as standard stock items. If there is
more FSC stock in supply, more people see it, buy it and build with it.
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On the Workbench
New Projects and Photos
 We outfitted a post-production house with stunning desks and tabletops made of wine oak with finger-jointed corners and natural oil/wax finishes.
We finally shot photos of a dramatic remodel we completed, a few years ago, in Santa Monica, using beautiful Italian veneers.
And for More New Projects |
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Our
services include the highest quality modern and traditional cabinetry,
custom furniture, green materials, finishing & refinishing. We
work with general contractors, architects, interior designers and
individual home owners.
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Please
forward this email to people you think would be interested. We always
look forward to hearing your questions and suggestions.
Thanks, Cliff and Leigh Spencer
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