Stickley Furniture?

[thyme4change]

We want a high quality table. It needs to be tough. We've been looking, and everything is veneer. I'm concerned that my family will destroy anything we buy. We found one we like at Stickley, and the sales guy said that Stcikley furniture lasts forever, and is handed down from generation to generation. For the price - it better last until I'm dead - and I plan to live a long time!

Do Stickley tables last 40 years?

[phil5185]

We've been looking, and everything is veneer.

'Veneer' is not necessarily a pejorative. It's been around for a long time, roll-top desks from the 1800's, expensive dining room tables, etc.

A long tradition
Veneer wood furniture construction dates back four thousand years. Taking thin layers of wood, ancient Egyptians bonded the veneer to a central core. Tombs, homes, ships-veneer was everywhere in their lives. The great advantage then as now is durability.

By turning each layer 90 degrees to the previous one, this construction is incredibly strong. Veneer wood expands and contracts evenly, reducing friction and preventing cracking. Archaeologists today still dig up veneer furniture made from this ancient process.

The only drawback was its cost. Even until the 1800's, producing veneer wood was labor intensive. When the process became more affordable, veneer wood furniture construction became more prevalent. In fact, most furniture produced today is veneer.

[Deleted]

Jan 29, 2011 12:39:20 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

Do Stickley tables last 40 years?

It should... they are built very well. Make sure you get one made in the USA though!

[schildi]

Do you really want a table to last 40 years? Or do you think there is a chance that your taste changes over time and you may want to replace it in 10 years?
I don't think I'd want the same furniture for that long, but everybody is different. The big question is: how much are we talking about for that table at Stickley's?

[olderburgher]

The Stickley we have is lasting and lasting but we aren't to 40 years yet. If I had to bet thought I' bet we make it.

[simser]

My parents only have Stickley furniture. They love it and it's lasted 35+ years at this point. But a good question is do your tastes change or will you be happy with the same thing forever?

I also think they have said that they bought most of theirs at auction and had it refinished for free by Stickley. That might be a good way to get it.

[phil5185]

Or do you think there is a chance that your taste changes over time and you may want to replace it in 10 years?

That is a need/want debate, not a 'quality of furniture' issue, LOL. A couple generations ago, 'redecorate' meant new wall-paper and some new wall-pictures. In our current generation of 'excesses', redecorate means 'rip out some walls, put In a new bathroom and a new kitchen'.

My parents bought their dining room table in 1950, and refinished a 6-chair set that grandma had. It is still there, in daily use. And there is a hutch of about the same vintage. I think that lots of families pass furniture from generation to generation.

[cronewitch]

Even cheap junk can last that long. I hate my table I bought in 1992 it isn't solid oak like my other furniture but a veneer with a finish. It is a huge table with two leafs so seats 10. The very first time we used it I sat a box of pizza on it and the heat melted a hole in the finish. I now keep a table cloth on it all the time and don't set warm things on it without a trivet. The table will last forever it is sturdy no need to replace it or even refinish it since it only has a tiny spot bad on the top so unless we play cards on it we can't see it. But I hate having to worry if someone slides something on the surface it will scratch or sets a cup of coffee on it it will melt.

My brother has the perfect table, a friend built it for him from oak and built a matching bench. The kids were 2-4 when it was built and are now 41 and 38. They did every kind of thing on that table, and other than when my SIL pounded grippers on to fabric the table has no damage. The bench is still good too so when they lived in a smaller dinning room house the table was pushed closer to the wall on that side. They have lived in 4 houses with that table, I know she looked at shinier tables but only replaced the hutch the friend made.

[achelois]

Here is a little table I made of maple. Have had it going on 30 years. The top will flip down flat.

Attachments:

[achelois]

Like this. A solid wood piece should last a very long time depending on how it is held together

Attachments:

[Deleted]

Why not go to an antique store? There you will find high quality furniture at a fraction of what "new" furniture costs. It really will last 40 years as it has already proven.

[texasredneck]

Gustave Stickley furniture made 1891 until 1920 or so will probably last for ever. Really don't know about modern Stickley furniture, but I understand the last American furniture maker closed its doors last year. Most ever thing comes from China now and is particle board with a thin veneer of wood or vinyl printed to look like wood. It is pure junk. I have an antique business next to a large new furniture store and they throw a lot of this stuff out because it gets broken in shipment.

Wood veneer over wood furniture is only as good as the glues used in the manufacture. I have several mahogany pieces in my home from the 1950's and they are separating. A lot of early veneer used animal glue which is breaking down.

You might want to check your local antique stores. Sorry I can not be of more help.

[Deleted]

Jan 29, 2011 18:23:31 GMT -5 texasredneck said:

Gustave Stickley furniture made 1891 until 1920 or so will probably last for ever. Really don't know about modern Stickley furniture, but I understand the last American furniture maker closed its doors last year..

Stickley is American, and it still makes furniture in the USA!

They also make some lines in Vietnam... that's why I made the distinction in my first post.

[tiredturkey]

I can't say about the forty years but we've had a Stickley love seat for 8 years and it's going great guns and I'm getting ready to take delivery of a Stickley desk and chair as soon as I repaint my home office.

One alternative that might be a little less expensive would be to see if you have an Amish craftsman type store in your area. We have one here in Houston and their work is very good. My neighbor has purchased a number of pieces from them and I've purchased a side table for the Stickley love seat. I was able to get the exact size and shape I needed in the perfect finish. The workmanship on my table is as good as the Stickley love seat and I'm pretty picky about things.

You also might wait for a Stickley sale. I got my desk at an annual 40% off all Stickley event the store holds.

[thyme4change]

I have been looking in the antique stores. There is a lot of crap - a lot of stuff from the 80's and 90's. And a lot of stuff that isn't even close to the right size or shape. I don't have the patience for the whole antique thing. I only get a few hours per week to myself. I don't want to spend that time forcing my kids to shop. I've decided that I can earn money easier than savings money.

I think we've made a temporary decision. We are going to buy the new chairs we love. And we are going to see if we can get the finish off our current table, and then paint it. If we like how it looks, we will keep it. If not, we will give it to someone who is just starting out and buy the Stickley.

[Deleted]

Achelois I love that table!

[swamp]

I've heard great things about Stickley furniture, and I agree, it's gorgeous.

My dining room table is a "scratch and dent special" from Oak Express that cost me $50. It's solid oak, but a piece of the table top was broken off. My dad fixed it and you can't even tell there's a crack in it. Repairs are much easier on darker furniture. So far, we've put hot stuff on it, the kids have banged toys and silverware on it, and it's been generally abused, and it still looks pretty good.

[achelois]

Thanks, later. My very first project.

[Tennesseer]

Why not have a custom (solid wood) table built in the style of Stickley? It will last you for years and have no veneers.

Note: I made a rhyme by accident.

[thyme4change]

How can I find a good craftsman?

[debtheaven]

Many have websites. Google it for your area, and you should come up with some. Then I'd get in touch and ask for references.

Where are you (general area), if you don't mind sharing?

[TD2K]

I have an oak butcher block solid wood table... want it?


I love butcher block. Where did you say you lived again? :-)

[The J]

Jan 30, 2011 16:59:52 GMT -5 TD2K said:

I have an oak butcher block solid wood table... want it?


I love butcher block. Where did you say you lived again? :-)

I've got a small butcher block in the kitchen. It's fantastic.

[Clifford]

Bought our solid wood table 10 years ago from amishalley dot com. We were able to order to our specs to fit our dining area, seating 10, with no leaves. Beautiful, tough, and solid wood so re-finishable.

[jarhead1976]

It will last longer than we will .