1. What species should I choose?

This is up to you. However, we do have a few recommendations. First, we recommend researching various hardwoods.

Why? Hardwood lumber is durable, resistant to decay, color consistent, sustainable, etc. In other words, hardwoods are trustworthy.

Color choices are affected by species as well. For example, White Oak yields a light gold/natural wood look. Black Walnut is for dark wood lovers. There are hundreds and hundreds of species out there.

Is it important? If you want a piece of furniture that functions, species may not matter to you. A good place to start is your desired look. Next, consider your ideal budget. Don’t want to break the bank? There are cost effective alternatives in most big box stores. If budget is not a major concern, explore species around the world. Monkey Pod, Acacia, Purple heart, etc. There is an entire world of options out there!

2. How do I clean my wood furniture?

We have found the most effective method to be a 2 parts water 1 part dish soap or vinegar solution. Grab a Terry cloth rag and dip it into your solution. Emphasis on a damp towel. You do not want to soak your cloth.

Keep in mind, wood absorbs moisture. Subsequently, your furniture may take on some of the moisture from a soaked rag. Properly sealed furniture has a low absorption risk. No need to be in utter fear of spills and too much water. It is merely a good preventative method.

Check out this blog for more steps to consider with cleaning your furniture:

https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/clean-and-organize/how-to-clean-wood-furniture

3. How do I remove Coffee Rings from my table top?

This is a common question. Occasionally, a piece of furniture may develop rings from your mug. Normally, It goes back to sealing or a lack of. Occasionally, condensation proves to trump protective coats. So, what now? Check some cleaning tips we have centrally located for you!

“All that’s needed for this home cleaning chore is non-gel toothpaste, baking soda, furniture polish, and a cloth. To get started, simply mix one part baking soda and one part toothpaste together, applying this solution with a white cloth in a circular motion to the stain. After the mixture sits, wipe clean with a rag and buff with furniture polish and the circle should be gone. If this doesn’t quite get the job done, put real mayonnaise on the ring and let it sit overnight, wiping it clean in the morning. Make sure there are coasters nearby next time to stop the stains from popping up again!”

-Molly Maid Cleaning Services

https://www.mollymaid.com/cleaning-tips/living-rooms/coffee-table-cleaning/

A hair dryer

“Put your hair dryer on its lowest setting and direct it at the water ring. Be sure to move the dryer around so there is no direct heat and the wood doesn't overheat," warns Fierman.”

Architectural Digest

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/ways-to-remove-water-stains-from-wood

4. How do I fix my table top after it separates?

1. Bad News is… you need to remove the top and get to work. Good news is.. you CAN save the top.

2. If there are multiple boards of lumber, they need to be separated and all adhesives removed from between the boards.

3. Next, use a jointer of sorts (If available) to ensure your pieces will be flush again. a jointer can also remove dry remnants of adhesive.

4. You can use many methods of gluing your top back together. Some use biscuit jointing. Others use Kregg jig methods. Some prefer simply gluing all together. Joinery is a solid option for longevity.

5. Make sure the bottom of your top is sealed. Some skip steps to save time but please do not skip this step. Wood functions best in balance. Wood needs to be able to shrink and contract. One benefit of sealing is to minimize movement. Without sealing underneath, the bottom of your table will take in moisture while the top does not. Imbalance.

6. Once you’ve glued it back together and sealed your top, consider proper top and base attachment methods. There are wood clips available and joinery options as well. The most important feature is to consider the movement of wood. There are plenty of how to’s and pointers online. It is fixable with a little elbow grease and time.