Kitchen Stools

Kitchen stools are designed to be used in a kitchen environment, with a counter height of around 90cm to the underside. These stools therefore have to have a seat height of around 65 – 70cm in order to leave enough space for your legs to sit comfortably underneath. This makes gas lifts very desirable, as you can adjust the seat height to suit your particular location.
The bar stool is being seen as an ever more fashionable addition to the home, and with the deletion of the domestic dining table, kitchen islands are quickly becoming a much sought after commodity. This has been helped in recent time by interior designers, who have turned the humdrum kitchen of the past into the vibrant hub of the home. Open plan living has seen this once utilitarian part of the house become the centre of action; many people now choose to socialise in the kitchen area, having a few drinks in the evening or watching the television from a bar. It has also become a popular place to complete the daily homework, under the supervision of Mum.
Due to its pivotal role in the modern family, it is common that each family member has their own stool, much like a traditional table and chairs. This makes width the all-important factor, as a 15cm gap between each seat is required as a minimum to allow for movement and easy access. This stops them from hitting each other and makes for a more comfortable seating arrangement.
But even if space under your worktop is lacking, or there is no island unit in your kitchen, there is no need to worry. Bar tables make an ideal accompaniment to any stool and provide an effective and cheap way of getting the most from your bar stools. The upside to bar tables as opposed to an island counter is that they can be moved, giving you a more flexible arrangement, as well as coming in a variety of designs to suit differing tastes.
Also becoming more popular is the brushed finish. This can be attributed to the rise in the number of appliances available in a brushed finish, not to mention all the trimmings and fittings like lights and door handles. People see brushed steel as more contemporary than chrome and it has become the must-have for modern installations. And thus brushed steel stools have had a surge in popularity, due to their ability to seamlessly blend into such environments and create a sleek, uniform look.
But if metal is not your thing, never fear! As the modernist movement gains momentum, so does the traditionalist. Many people are still after the rustic look in their kitchen, and this is where wooden stools come in. These beautifully made items are usually left in a natural finish, showing the grain of the wood and the craftsmanship involved. They give any kitchen a traditional look and feel, adding character and style to the atmosphere.

Biggest Teak Garden Furniture Exposé – Coming soon

If you have any comment, good or bad regarding any dealings with a teak garden furniture company, please email us, preferably with pictures. We have had over 12 complaints over the last week or so from readers who have had major problems with garden furniture online retailers. To be completely honest, I did not even realise there were so many of them. I am convinced that two years ago there were far fewer. For now, my main tip is that you get what you pay for when it comes to Teak. Stick with the well known brands for quality such as Barlow Tyrie, Indian Ocean and Faraway Furniture. More to come soon.

Choosing the right furniture for your office

1. Consider how many hours you spend at the office. If you work long hours then you should ensure your office is comfortable, functional and practical. Your desk should have built in cable holes to allow the wiring to neatly fit in and enough shelving or drawers for storing files and paperwork. Check the dimensions and make sure the desk will fit through the door. Consider the material of the desk, wood, glass etc and what is best suited for you.

2. Also think about ergonomics; a desk should be around 29 to 30 inches high and 3 1/2 feet from the desk to the chair.

3. Choose the correct office chair. A chair needs to be adjustable to allow for the height of the person, provide adequate support for the lower back and comfortable seat padding. The armrests should be adjustable and arms and shoulders should be relaxed at the correct position.
4. Ensure you have adequate lighting. Too much bright light in your field of vision can cause visual discomfort, and reflections on your computer screen can make it difficult to see what is displayed. If possible position your desk at right angles to the window for the best use of light and to minimise reflections. Use a free standing desk lamp for extra lighting on paperwork.
5. Finally consider the temperature and humidity in the room. A comfortable temperature for sedentary work is between 20 and 24 degrees C. If the room is too warm or cold and draughty then this will cause discomfort. Place a water loving pot plant in your office to help keep the humidity to a comfortable level.

The history of Teak wood

The wood used to build the early Chinese sailing ships was Teak. The wood used needed to be durable, weatherproof and minimum maintenance required. It is said that the Chinese shipbuilders would bury the wood logs in moist soil for many years prior to building their ships. This made the wood far stronger and impervious to the elements that could be encountered on the water, including enemies.

The strength of the ship building materials were vital because approximately 600 years ago the Chinese commissioned by the Ming dynasty to sail to the edge of the world. Year later the British naval ships were made from Oak whish is also a very hard and durable wood. The British encountered two problems with oak: Wood Worms and a shortage of Oak trees. Woodworms were destroying the ships in the British Naval Fleet and were the scourge of wooden ships throughout history. It could take 850 oak logs to repair one ship. It took a little over 2000 oak logs just to build one ship. The British needed ships as they continued for some time to have maritime issues with the French and to be able to go on to conquer and take control of British colonies. The British naval fleet was their primary means to accomplish this.

The British knew about the Teak wood used on the Chinese ships and how strong and rugged they were after having run into them, literally in the shipping lanes. The British had learned how impervious these ships were to all of the elements at sea: Saltwater, ocean wind, and the blistering sun. It was also found that Teak was difficult to splinter when hit by gunfire or artillery fire. This was a very important issue as splintering wood was the major cause of casualties among naval warfare in the eighteenth century.

Britain was very interested to grow and produce this wood. The British quickly realized they did not need to grow Teak Wood as they could occupy those countries where the Teak wood was grown and have a plentiful supply. India, Thailand and Burma were quickly annexed into the British Empire. This of course is not the main reason why the British took over these areas, but it certainly helped to give reason. Myanmar (formerly Burma), which is just south of India, and Yangoon became the first places where Teak was being cultivated for British ships. Calcutta was set up as another British shipbuilding site. All of the British merchant ships built in Calcutta were built with Myanmar Teak logs which were said to be the best. Once the wood was depleted from India, logs were harvested from Thailand and Burma.

Teak forests were quickly being depleted and forests dwindling. Teak was now the preferred wood used for building ships, Yachts, Ocean liners and furniture. Under ocean conditions, the wood had minimal warping, cracking or shrinkage. This meant little maintenance. The wood was also impervious to wood rot and insects, like the mighty woodworm. The famous Ocean liner “Queen Mary” used no less than 1000 tons of teak when built. The British understood the depletion that was taking place and developed a re-forestation plan. They appointed a leader to head a new department and began replanting Teak trees on what are now called

Teak “plantations”. A set of very strict laws were enacted regarding who can cut Teak Wood and who can purchase it. Once these laws were set in place, one needed to have permission from the British Government to be able to cut a Teak Tree down and or export it.
Teak was also being used by the locals for huts, fence posts, and furniture. Today India is the third largest importer of Teak , followed by China and Japan. As much as 80% of India’s timber consumption is Teak. The wood is used in India today for local consumption; building homes, furniture, fencing, etc. It is the one wood that can withstand the monsoons, the scorching heat and the humidity.

Teak Wood contains natural oils and Silica (sand) which makes it impervious to insects, and wood rot. These natural substances also help it to maintain its appearance for many years.
When many of the English ships of WWII were taken apart for salvage, the Teak Wood decks were re-manufactured into outdoor furniture such as park benches. Even today they can be seen in many parts of Europe still preserved and functioning.

How to clean you indoor teak furniture?

How do you look after your indoor teak furniture to ensure it will look its best?
A proper cleaning and oiling plan will help.
Many people who have teak furniture in their homes believe they can have beautiful furniture without the need of a lot of attention and care. Unlike other wooden furniture that needs regular cleaning, oiling and care, you can actually leave your indoor teak furniture for many months, or even years, and it will remain as durable and strong as it was when you first purchased it.
Even though your teak furniture will last a lifetime, some attention is required. Indoor teak furniture left untouched will darken over time to a dark brown colour. To avoid this happening an annual cleaning and oiling procedure is recommended
Cleaning: Use warm soapy water and to thoroughly remove all dust, dirt and debris. Once this is done the furniture must be left to dry thoroughly.
Oiling: Teak has high levels of natural oils and to maintain these oils the furniture can be re-oiled after cleaning. This will help maintain the colour and appearance of your furniture.