Furniture Wood Species

Not everyone can be a master woodworker, but it is helpful to understand the basics of wood species when you're shopping for furniture. Following are samples and descriptions of some of the most popular woods: Cherry: A strong hardwood with a straight, closed grain and a satiny smooth texture. In it's natural state, it has a pinkish hue and stains beautifully with a red to brown finish.

Maple: A closed grain and creamy white color are characteristics of this dense, strong wood. Beautiful in it's natural state, also stains well. Great for cabinetry.

Oak: One of the strongest hardwoods, oak has a distinctive grain and has either a natural red or yellow color. Very commonly used in craftsman style furniture.

Pine: A lightweight, soft wood with a fine grain and characteristic knots. Not receptive to darker stains, pine is best used natural or with a painted finish.

Mahogany: A tight grain with ribbons of color ranging from dark red to deep reddish browns. Very durable and strong, mahogany finishes beautifully both natural and with stain.

Walnut: Tough and dense, this tight-grained wood polishes to a smooth, natural finish. Because of its attractive grain and beautiful color, it is a prized furniture and carving wood.

The "Arts" Unveiled - Art Nouveau, Arts & Crafts and Art Deco

Pop Quiz! What is the difference between Art Nouveau, Arts & Crafts, and Art Deco? If you think you'd fail this quiz, you are not alone. We are here to help! Here is a brief description of each design movement and how they differ from one another:

Art Nouveau: In French, it means "new art" and is characterized by organic motifs (florals) and flowing stylized curved lines - an intentional direct contrast to the Victorian era. An international design movement, art nouveau reached its peak from 1890 to 1905. Popular artists involved in furniture design and objects d'arte include Gaudi, Plecnik, Sullivan and Tiffany.

Arts & Crafts: A British, Canadian, Australian and American design movement during 1880 - 1910, emphasizing the simplicity of form and function. The Arts & Crafts movement reacted against the mechanical nature of the industrial revolution and embraced the preservation of quality natural materials. Well-known American designers include Frank Lloyd Wright, Maher and Stickley, to name a few!

Art Deco: Another international design movement that took place later from 1935 to the early 1940s. Unlike the Arts & Crafts philosophical movement, Art Deco design was purely a celebration of decoration and was influenced by many different early 20th century styles. Commonly used materials for furniture were aluminum, stainless steel, lacquer and inlaid wood.

Designer Warehouse Furniture

EXTRA! EXTRA! Local designer furniture warehouse moves ... their loss is your gain! Gorgeous designer pieces including Donghia, Room & Board, Carter, Baker, Palecek, Italmond, just to name a few. Prices for these designer pieces are unbelievable and the inventory is flying out the door!

Stop by Divine Consign at 111 N. Oak Park Avenue in Oak Park, IL to see these amazing pieces. Loads of new, beautiful artwork also at Divine Consign The Annex, 810 North Boulevard (just around the corner).

Mid-Century Modern Furniture

You've heard the term in passing, among the hipsters and designers that are in the know. "Mid-century Modern" is making its way into mainstream decor, but what does it really mean? What defines Mid-century Modern furniture and decor? Think "less is more..."

Mid-century Modern design reflects the effort to create a combination of sleek modernism and functionality within an accessible, informal home lifestyle. Recognizable designers/architects during the mid 1940s to the mid 1960s include Henry P. Glass, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Eero Saarinen and Charles & Ray Eames.

Teak, plywood, molded plastic, and fiberglass were common materials that further defined the low-maintenance and affordable lifestyle the public was craving.

Divine Consign is thrilled to be an active source of Mid-century Modern furniture and home accessories, and we are always happy to receive these items to consign!

Customer Appreciation Event with Wiechert Realty

We love our customers and appreciate their patronage of our business. So in an effort to show our appreciation we teamed up with Weichert Realty of Oak Park and held a customer appreciation event in The Annex! The event was held Thursday, January 28 and over 100 people were in attendance.

Guests enjoyed food and drinks catered from Cucina Paradiso who also supplied a fabulous photo booth which was enjoyed by all! Flavour Cooking School of Forest Park provided a cooking lesson and there was also a glass-blowing demonstration. All in all the night was a great success and everyone had a great time and, hopefully, felt very much appreciated!