Solid wood
Popular materials have changed throughout the years. You are far more likely to find furniture in large commercial stores that has veneer with some kind of MDF/plywood base than solid wood. Solid wood furniture is more expensive to purchase new and harder to find nowadays. That’s why searching at thrift stores or secondhand online is such a goldmine for this. Buying secondhand both decreases price and puts you in touch with a market of high-quality solid wood pieces.
Here’s a great video of how to tell the difference:
Joinery and Dovetail Drawers
Woodworkers use joinery to put together different pieces of wood to make furniture. There are many different techniques; usually, more complex techniques indicate higher-quality furniture. You’ll notice that it’s both for utility and decoration. Look for seams on furniture where pieces of wood meet.
Drawers in items like dressers or desks will have joints where the actual drawer is put together. The best kind will be called dovetail joints which are interlocked like puzzle pieces together.
I wish I could describe this all better but here’s a video of someone who can say it better:
Real Metals
Silver: look for a dark gray or black tarnish, the numbers 925, 800, or 900 or the word “sterling” imprinted on it.
Gold: look for numerical markings of the karat weight 10k, 14k, 18k or 585 & 750
She gives amazing examples of what youre looking for in metals!
Other High-Quality Markers:
For marble objects, they will be heavy; look for unique veining. Real marble won’t have a repeating pattern. Marble will also be cold to the touch initially, whereas plastic and resin will warm quickly to room temperature.
Brass objects will feel heavy, scratches will reveal gold-toned metal throughout, and will not be magnetic.
We all learn something new every day. What did I miss when shopping for high- quality pieces?
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