The Furniture

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Posted February 8th, 2014

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In Pursuit of Perfection

Crafting furniture is about much more than the finished product for a man like Mark Lester. Each piece is a unique experience, a chance for personal expression, and a labour of love. Take the dream of his “ultimate workbench” for example, which Mark had cultivated in his mind since childhood. A lifetime of cognitive design came to fruition through 180 hours of labour as Mark manipulated his favourite pieces of native wood using his two hands and a collection of the finest American-engineered tools from Lie-Nielson. 17 different types of wood, each with a background that Mark is more than willing to share.

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Our Colonial furniture evolved from the English Pattern Books into a look of its own that is distinctly NZ and uses our native timbers to look their best. Functional and decorative, the wood draws you in to look and is silky smooth to touch.
American and English Oak has the masculine quality of strength and coarseness. This reflects a style that has continued through the ages with a country furniture look: cruder, but functional and strong. Designed to be used.
French Oak along with Mahogany and Walnut is a lot finer in grain and more feminine so pieces made from these woods tend to be more formal and decorative.
Kauri has a rich, brown colouring but often ranges from golden yellow to deep red. Kauri is a favourite for building and was exported around the world throughout the 19C. It is a perfect wood for the cabinetmaker, easy to work with, silky and has a fine grain.
Rimu is a slow-growing tree that matures after 500-1000 years. It is a handsome timber of deep red colour with dark or light and sometimes even yellow streaks. Rimu is perfect for general building, flooring and bridge beams because of its durability. It is also unique in the fact that one piece of wood may contain streaks of over 12 different colours, from purples to yellows and even black.
Totara is one of Mark’s favourite woods. Perfect for building and joinery, Totara is light and strong; with a tight, even grain. Mature trees produce a deep red or even purple colour with a silky grain, making it a beautiful choice for furniture. The Totara, in Mark’s opinion, reflects the beauty and unique nature of New Zealand.
Matai is one of New Zealand’s more rare native woods, is slow-growing and very hard. It is more brittle than other woods, yet produces a very rich red-brown finish. Matai is a favourite for flooring due to its durability.

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