When an ad says "Cherry finish" does that mean it is made of Cherry wood?

No. Some mass produced furniture uses inferior grade woods and stain them different colours. There may be some Cherry in the piece, but most of it will be cheap wood that is just stained the same colour.


Is veneer real wood?

Yes. Veneer is thinly sliced wood that is used not only to cover up lower grade woods, but also used as tape on edges and is used to make beautiful plywood as well. These panels are very useful in cabinetmaking as they come in a large variety of wood species and they are very solid. They do not shrink and swell like solid wood so they are much more stable. Being real wood they also sand and accept stains very well too.


What should I look for when buying a piece of furniture or cabinet?

I would say first of all don't settle. If you can't find the exact piece you are looking for, then consider having it made for you. The quality and satisfaction you get from an heirloom quality piece will more than make up for the few weeks you have to wait for it to be built. If you do find a piece you like than I would suggest looking at the drawer construction. This is usually the best sign of overall quality. If the drawer is made from solid wood with good joinery such as dovetails than chances are the rest of the piece is well made too. The bottom of the drawer should also be set into a groove, not just stapled to the bottom. Also look at the drawer slides. I prefer old fashioned wood slides over metal slides( how many antiques have you seen with metal slides?) but try to avoid plastics as much as possible.


What is the difference between air-dried lumber and kiln dried?

Air-dried lumber is just that, wood that is dried outside in the air. The wood is raised off the ground and small sticks are placed between the rows to help the air circulate. Depending on the location of the pile and the species of wood, it can take several years for this wood to dry out to a moisture content that would allow you to make furniture out of it.
Kiln-dried lumber is stacked in the same fashion but is then put in a kiln for a couple of weeks and dried to a consistent moisture content for cabinetmaking. This would be between six and ten percent. Although the wood will still expand and contract through the seasons, it is much more stable and shouldn't hold too many surprises in the years to come.


Isn't custom made furniture really expensive?

Custom made furniture is not mass produced by the thousands but rather is made specifically for you and is often a one of a kind piece. Quality kiln dried wood is taken from the log stage and turned into anything you may desire. Craftsmanship and good joinery ensures a good functional piece that will outlast anything that is mass produced and will more than likely last several generations and become a family heirloom. With quality comes a price, but the benefits of having a beautiful custom made piece that will last a lifetime far outweighs the little bit extra you may have to pay for it.