SOLID VS. VENEER: A SOUND INVESTMENT?

We are very happy to have received a telephone call, and even happier about the subsequent visits, from one of our latest clients, Al, a member of our community who shared with us his furniture dilemma, and his plan, which included Sound Design. Al had stumbled upon our studio while shopping for furniture for a newly purchased condo in the prestigious Pantages Tower in downtown Toronto, and our Summit collection had caught his eye. He had already procured some of the furniture for the property, but had quickly arrived at the conclusion that his purchases, though on the surface appearing well-suited to their new, much-admired address, were, just beneath the surface, lacking - especially for furniture that will actually be used, or even abused.

Al had purchased furniture not unlike that found in many upscale homes today, particularly smaller homes like condos, both aesthetically pleasing and multi-functional. And like the vast majority of such furniture, widely available, it is constructed from beautifully veneered, ¾” particleboard, which if placed in its ideal setting, with gentle wear and no moisture, will easily hold its own for years, even for a lifetime. However Al had purchased the condo, and the subsequent furnishings, not for his own personal use, but for a high-end rental property, a.k.a. corporate accommodations for the lucky few who find themselves living in the heart of Toronto with a view from the top. And Al found that even with just the right tenant, the furnishings WILL be used with a little less thought than one would hope. He discovered that a veneered surface is actually quite fragile, in-that any damage incurred is irreversible, like the ring left behind on Al’s television stand from the careless placement of an otherwise harmless plant; whether it’s a leaking planter or a sweating glass - something we have all done at one time or another - there's no going back once the damage is done.

Al quickly realized the importance of what’s beneath the beautiful façade of his entrusted furniture - realized the importance of a truly sound design, especially when looking for a truly sound investment. The above bar table, inspired by the Summit collection, was the first of four pieces that Al commissioned Matthew to make for the space, a piece that will serve both Al and his tenant(s) well for many, many years to come. The two legs simply slide into one another, and are locked in place by the setting of the top piece into position. The legs are made from 3” x 7” solid walnut and the top from 3” solid maple, which Al will simply refinish if-and-when the time comes that someone, in a momentary lapse of thoughtfulness, leaves their mark. And with 3 inches of solid, Canadian maple on top, Al has now gained the ability to refurbish his new investment, time and time and time again, once more proving our point: SOUND DESIGN = SOUND INVESTMENT.

Thanks Al.