FAQs

What is "Heartwood" and why did you choose this term in naming your company?

The outward appearance of a tree is very familiar. In simplest terms, the trunk and limbs of a tree are made up of two types of rings. The outer rings of a tree, often light in color, make up the "sapwood" which allows water and nutrients to move from the roots to the leaves. The wider and darker group of rings within the lighter band, no longer carries water and nutrients but provides the tree's immense strength and its lumber's beauty. This is called the "Heartwood". 

Heartwood then refers to the inner strength and beauty that we all possess. 

 

Who were the "Shakers" and why do I see many pieces of furniture marked as Shaker ?

The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, or "Shakers" as they became more commonly known, were a Christian religious sect, established in England in the late 18th century and soon moved to the U.S. By the mid 19th century. approximately 18 major communities, mostly in the northeast, but as far as Kentucky and Ohio were established. They were the most financially successful communities of the utopian movement. They emphasized equality of the sexes, communal property, complete celibacy and glorifying God by daily work and worship. As innovators they developed a diverse range of tools and products, including multistage industrial laundry equipment for the communities and eventually for sale to hotels and institutions. In addition, one of the sisters is credited with inventing the circular saw in the 19th century. They also established a broad market for the manufacturing and marketing of farm seeds throughout the U.S.  By the close of the Civil War, their influence on architecture and furniture design was so successful, contemporary furniture manufacturers of the period were already copying them. The Shaker aesthetic is now considered the first truly American look in home decor. 

 What Is Your Source For Heartwood Shaker Boxes?

Each box is built at my bench here in the workshop. I build in small batches using traditional methods and materials employed by the Shakers.

I purchase lumber for Heartwood Shaker at small, locally owned and managed sawmills.  This allows me to buy lumber that has not been kiln dried and allows me to slow the drying process which is better for bending the box bands.  Kiln drying is more appropriate for hardwood lumber stock that is going into furniture or case goods. 

Your boxes have two different wood species. Is that traditional?

Yes. Shaker boxes were made up of what was available to the community. Due to the growing regions where the communities were located, maple was most often used for top and bottom bands due to its flexibility and strength and pine was used for tops and bottoms, due to its light-weight. The pine was cut in a fashion that would minimize seasonal wood movement. You would also find boxes made with other hardwood bands such as cherry, oak and ash. 

"Natural" finished boxes, where the wood grain is highlighted instead of painted over, is a more recent look in response to growing consumer demand. Currently, I offer a natural finish in cherry only, where the bottom and top bands as well as the lid is made from solid cherry and the outside is finished in Tung Oil (see below). The bottom of the box is white pine. It keeps the box lighter and is a call out to tradition. 

If I find some maple with dramatic figure, think flame maple like a violin back or the popular birds-eye effect, then I will offer it.  I prefer not to use the figured veneer plywood some builders use. 

My painted boxes are all constructed with maple bands and pine tops and bottoms. The colors and distressed look of the Barn Find collection, is a nod to current trends in home decor. The Shakers never painted the inside or bottoms of their boxes and I follow that tradition.

 What Is Tung Oil and why do you use it?

Tung oil is a naturally occurring "drying oil" that comes from the Tung Tree, that is native to China (now also grown in South America). It has been used for over 2000 years as an ingredient in paint and waterproofing for wood among other uses. It is an environmentally safe product, that also comes from a renewable source. I use the 100% pure form, that does not contain any petroleum distillates or metals (to speed curing) because I rub the finish on by hand.  Tung oil is very light in color allowing the full beauty of the wood grain to come through and leaves a warm satin finish. 

Fun Fact: "Drying" is a bit of a misnomer as the 100% pure oil does not have a solvent that evaporates and leaves a protective residue, but cures in the presence of oxygen to a hard protective layer.