In all honesty, premium teak furniture is not cheap. It is not as though you need to take out another mortgage on your home to buy furniture made from teak. However, compared with mahogany, oak, and other popular hardwoods, teak wood is consistently more expensive. But why is teak more expensive than other quality woods and why is it actually worth the added expense?

Quality teak furniture did not originate in the West. Although teak was made famous by the British who made their beautiful garden furniture from it, the wood actually originates in Asia. Both India and southeast nations like Malaysia were making premium teak furniture for centuries before the British. This is because teak wood grows in the dense, humid jungle conditions of this region of the world. It takes 30-40 years for the tree to mature before it can be used to make quality teak furniture. Originally, however, teak was not used to make furniture at all.

Centuries before teak wood was ever used to make garden or deck furniture, it was being used to build ocean-going vessels. Even today, many ships have teak rails and decks. What makes teak wood so useful when making outdoor furniture or ships is the fact that it is water-resistant. Teak wood has a high concentration of natural oils. Because oil naturally repels water, teak is resistant to rotting.

Aside from its high oil concentration, teak wood also has very tight grain which makes it hard to splinter and break. Woods that are porous are prone to splitting—especially when they become dry. This is not a worry with premium teak furniture and it can be stored outdoors year after year without worry. Although the teak wood will begin to take on a rustic look (tends to develop a gray patina) when left outdoors, the furniture will still be around for many years to come with no maintenance at all (however, it will last MUCH longer when properly cared for).

So, is premium teak furniture worth the added expense? Consider the following: The British government instituted a program of recycling during the late 19th century where teak was salvaged from old ships and used to build benches for the city. Some of those same benches survive today and are over a century old—and that is after the teak wood survived the entire life of the ship! Indeed, you just can’t go wrong with quality teak furniture and it is more likely to become a family heirloom than something that needs replaced in a few years!

Rustic furniture is known for its simplistic beauty. Created from wood that is unfinished or that has a rough finish, rustic furniture is treasured by those who love a "country" theme. Rustic furniture includes beautiful pine log cabins as well as the "rustic style" furniture that graces many homes, hotels, and cabins today.

Whether it is a log cabin that is nestled in the heart of the Carolinas, or a beautiful sculptured and reworked piece of rustic barn furniture, this style appeals to those who love the wholesome beauty of nature, country, and desire to surround themselves with these pieces. Nothing says America better than beautiful handmade rustic furniture and its popularity is vast. Many modern homes have come to include some rustic elements to their decorating scheme as well as those who wouldn’t trade one step of a rustic staircase for an entire home furnished with contemporary décor. Maybe the allure rests in the fact that long before the building materials that we frequently use today, existed, many homes and furniture pieces were hand carved from beautiful wood logs. Every inch of a detailed chair, railing, bureau, or bed frame was expertly crafted with simple materials, but with such detail that the beauty was evident to all.

Today, rustic furniture still holds that appeal. From log cabins to meticulously carved furniture pieces, rustic reminds us of the heart of America.

Rustic Furniture: The Combination of Form and Function

Rustic furniture reminds us of the pioneering spirit that first created these beautiful pieces. Combining both form and function, not only is rustic furniture cherished for its natural charm, but also for it’s ability to create beautiful form and functional furniture with primitive methods, tools, and materials. Today's rustic furniture may keep to the patterns of building techniques used in the past, or it may be enhanced by using some of today’s more modern styling. The choice is yours. You can choose for very simple hand crafted rustic furniture pieces, or items that have been adorned with more modern tools, hardware, and finishes.

Rustic Furniture and Decorating Themes

The beauty of rustic furniture is far reaching, and this style is appropriate for many different themes. For example, when decorating with a country and western style, rustic furniture is essential. You can use any Native American or Country Western piece and anything that is classified as rustic furniture will enhance and compliment your decorating theme. Another great alternative is that when choosing rustic furniture and themes, you don’t have to commit your entire house to a rustic look. You can add a few pieces here and there, or even choose to decorate a room or two with a rustic theme. Since the rustic look combines the beauty of wood, you can accentuate many pieces such as mirrors, bookcases, and tables with rustic charm and grace simply by adding accessories such as flowers, twigs, and other natural items.

The rustic look is a perfect choice when opting to decorate an outside patio or lanai. No matter where you choose to showcase your rustic furniture, you will love the country look and grace of your newly decorated room.