Wooden rocking chairs
Rocking chairs, invented in the early 18th century, were invented in wood. It was not until much later that any material other than wood was used to make a rocking chair. Wood itself is naturally beautiful, and its history of dominance in furniture-making has raised woodworking to the level of art. As such, designing in wooden rocking chairs has flourished, and their beauty and popularity has only increased over the centuries.
There is a great variety in woods used for making rocking chairs. Hardwoods – from trees that flower seasonally – such as elm, oak, mahogany, maple, and teak, and softwoods – from evergreen trees – such as pine, fir, and cedar, are both used for making rocking chairs. Though their names are not derived from their toughness, hardwood rocking chairs are more expensive than softwood ones. Rocking chairs made with a combination of the two are also available.
Wooden rocking chairs meant for outdoor usage have to be treated first so that they can resist the natural elements. Wooden rocking chairs in general can also be finished with paint or varnish to suit home décor. They require care just like other furniture. Clean indoor rocking chairs with a mild cleaning solution or polish, while the outdoor ones can be done with soapy water. They will also require refinishing once every few years.
Inventions and developments have kept diversifying and enhancing the aesthetic quality and popularity of wooden rocking chairs. Introduction of bentwood manufacturing – a process of steaming wood to bend it into flowing curved forms – in the 1800s brought a new level of sophistication and beauty to wooden rocking chair design. In the middle of the 20th century, Sam Maloof, a great woodworker, designed a rocking chair with ski-shaped rockers made of seven laminated strips of wood, rendering striking exquisiteness and toughness to the chair. Whatever you crave, you will be able to find in wooden rocking chairs – simple rusticness of shaker rocking chairs or the elaborate curvature of bentwood rocking chairs, or one of the myriad designs inspired from historical and contemporary art.
Rocking chairs, invented in the early 18th century, were invented in wood. It was not until much later that any material other than wood was used to make a rocking chair. Wood itself is naturally beautiful, and its history of dominance in furniture-making has raised woodworking to the level of art. As such, designing in wooden rocking chairs has flourished, and their beauty and popularity has only increased over the centuries.
There is a great variety in woods used for making rocking chairs. Hardwoods – from trees that flower seasonally – such as elm, oak, mahogany, maple, and teak, and softwoods – from evergreen trees – such as pine, fir, and cedar, are both used for making rocking chairs. Though their names are not derived from their toughness, hardwood rocking chairs are more expensive than softwood ones. Rocking chairs made with a combination of the two are also available.
Wooden rocking chairs meant for outdoor usage have to be treated first so that they can resist the natural elements. Wooden rocking chairs in general can also be finished with paint or varnish to suit home décor. They require care just like other furniture. Clean indoor rocking chairs with a mild cleaning solution or polish, while the outdoor ones can be done with soapy water. They will also require refinishing once every few years.
Inventions and developments have kept diversifying and enhancing the aesthetic quality and popularity of wooden rocking chairs. Introduction of bentwood manufacturing – a process of steaming wood to bend it into flowing curved forms – in the 1800s brought a new level of sophistication and beauty to wooden rocking chair design. In the middle of the 20th century, Sam Maloof, a great woodworker, designed a rocking chair with ski-shaped rockers made of seven laminated strips of wood, rendering striking exquisiteness and toughness to the chair. Whatever you crave, you will be able to find in wooden rocking chairs – simple rusticness of shaker rocking chairs or the elaborate curvature of bentwood rocking chairs, or one of the myriad designs inspired from historical and contemporary art.
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