The Mahogany used in our furniture.

This part is not as instantly gratifying as the beds, but when browsing websites selling Mahogany furniture as you are doing now it should be important to you to know that there are different types of Mahogany and different qualities.

Simply calling it Mahogany is not enough! Beware of Lauan mahogany Red or Blanc otherwise known as Philippine mahogany. You should be looking for ‘genera Swietenia (S American) and Khaya’ (African) family of Mahogany.

All explained below.

Although many tropical hardwoods are described as mahogany, 'true' mahogany is generally considered to be the wood from trees of the botanical genus Swietenia, which is native to Latin America, and to a number of other tree species found in the rainforests of West and Central Africa.

Brazilian Mahogany (Swietenia Macrophylla)

You are likely to be more discerning between different types of Oak for example French and American Oak is lighter wider grained quicker growing in comparison to say ‘English Oak’ and when you see the price differences there is no doubt you will pay more attention.

This is why we have included information about the Mahogany used in our furniture, we feel you should know that we use the real and best Mahogany and we do not use Mahogany from Brazil or Bolivia irresponsibly harvested.

We also do not use Lauan Mahogany sometimes known as white or blonde mahogany also red mahogany and more generally known as Philippine Mahogany.

Our mahogany is made from Swietenia Macrophylla grown in limited plantations in Java, properly Kiln Dried to 8% (often only 10-12%).

‘Big Leaf Mahogany’ ‘Genus Swietenia Morphyllus’

These plantations were started by the Dutch using Brazilian saplings, for the use of furniture production due to it’s properties for turning, planning, grain and character, colour and strength. Again we do not use mahogany traded with the UK from Brazil, American or African countries.

Below you can see a definition of Mahogany names and identity.

Swietenia macrophylla, usually known as Brazilian mahogany, but is also known as American mahogany or Big Leaf mahogany. Brazilian mahogany occurs naturally in a broad band across the southern flank of the Amazon rainforests, stretching from north-eastern Bolivia and the Brazilian states of Acre and Rondônia, through Mato Grosso towards the southern half of Pará state

CHAPTER I--FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
PART 250--GUIDES FOR THE HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE INDUSTRY--Table of Contents
Sec. 250.3 Identity of woods.

Industry members should not use any direct or indirect representation concerning the identity of the wood in industry products that is false or likely to mislead purchasers as to the actual wood composition.

Mahogany.
(1) The unqualified term mahogany should not be used to describe wood other than genuine solid mahogany (genus Swietenia of the Meliaceae family). The woods of genus Swietenia may be described by the term mahogany with or without a prefix designating the country or region of its origin, such as Honduras mahogany, Costa Rican mahogany, Brazilian mahogany or Mexican mahogany.

(2) The term mahogany may be used to describe solid wood of the genus Khaya of the Meliaceae family, but only when prefixed by the word African (e.g., African mahogany desk).

(3) In naming or designating the seven non-mahogany Philippine woods Tanguile, Red Lauan, White Lauan, Tiaong, Almon, Mayapis, and Bagtikan, the term mahogany may be used but only when prefixed by the word Philippine (e.g., Philippine mahogany table), due to the long standing usage of that term. Examples of improper use of the term mahogany include reference to Red Lauan as Lauan mahogany or to White Lauan as Blond Lauan mahogany. Such woods, however, may be described as Red Lauan or Lauan or White Lauan, respectively. The term Philippine mahogany will be accepted as a name or designation of the seven woods named above. Such term shall not be applied to any other wood, whether or not grown on the Philippine Islands.

(4) The term mahogany, with or without qualifications, should not be used to describe any other wood except as provided above. This applies also to any of the woods belonging to the Meliaceae family, other than genera Swietenia and Khaya.

The finish it is not just about appearance!

Natural timber will have natural properties it will move in different environments and seasons. Seasoned timber will still move as will kiln dried timber and naturally seasoned timber still needs to be kiln dried for furniture manufacture.

There are three areas in the manufacture of our beds that takes this into account.

First we use a high quality mahogany of the genus Swietenia Macrophylla known as large leaf mahogany or Brazilian Mahogany we do not use any other type Tiaong, Almon, Lauan mahogany (blond or red) or khaya (African).

This mahogany is kiln dried fully to 8% we have researched factory timber supply common moisture content was 10 – 12% sometimes 14% and at worst no at all.

Traditional cabinet making methods employed for example the panels in our sleigh beds are floating panels which means they are given the ability to move within their frame. If they were not given this they would pull themselves apart, another example is the top bar on the sleigh beds they are given room within the side to grow and shrink. Tenison, and dove tail joints are also present in our furniture as are other techniques.

Our 11 step finish is actually nearer 20 but we think the main 11 are enough to be absorbed, the details of our 11 step finish can be found through the top of each page. Beyond the unique finish (it should not be confused with wax finishes being doffed to a high gloss finish). Our beds have which showcase the natural features of mahogany for which is one of the reasons it has been so highly demanded in the manufacture of furniture. The finish serves another very important purpose, it provides a hard shell impenetrable by moisture also protecting from dirt that a wax finish will not and giving a wipe clean surface. Also unlike a wax finish you will not need to bees wax your furniture which involves a lot of time and elbow grease!


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