Custom Work Adds Polish to Furniture
When furniture is custom made, we automatically think big bucks. We assume the cost will be greater than retailers charge for high-end manufactured goods. But as Mr. Gershwin said, “It ain’t necessarily so.”
Woodpeckers’ owner Ron Barker figures that when you pay for a manufactured piece, about 15% of your cost shows up in the materials and the labor. The rest of the money goes to ancillary costs such as advertising, marketing and overhead. When you buy directly from Woodpecker’s and some other craftsmen, 62% of your dollar can be found in the product, said Barker.
Southern California is just about the toughest climate for wood furniture. The humidity of the marine layer is followed by ultra-dry Santa Ana winds, thus making the joints in wood furniture open up.
According to Barker, fundamental to good furniture are proper proportions and allowances for wood to expand and contract. Barker said he takes care in recommending the wood for each piece of furniture, but ultimately the choice is left to the customer.
The most expensive wood used here is cocobolo from Central America. This is an extremely hard, dense wood in a dark burgundy. It will not absorb glue and requires extremely good joinery. It’s excellent for fine Chinese styling.
Mahogany is excellent for Mission-style furniture, said Barker. And he uses maple for Art Deco designs, Ponderosa pine for country, and oak for Arts and Crafts or Mission.
But Barker says cherry wood is the best value and works well for almost any design, as does paduak from the west coast of Africa.
Other exotic woods--including shedua, wenge, zebra wood--are available and Barker can fill you in on their pros and cons. Keep in mind that the color of all woods changes with age and exposure to light.
Find a design you like in a magazine, bring it to Woodpeckers and chances are you’ll find you can get it custom made for a lot less than you’d pay on Melrose Avenue. The staff will reproduce designs in the wood you want.
This is a family carpentry shop, much like those found in New England. The finish that Woodpeckers uses on all its furniture pieces will withstand heat, water and alcohol.
A sampling of prices: A country pine table (54 by 38 by 30) is $799. There’s a choice of ladder-back chairs with solid or upholstered seats (the buyer provides three yards of fabric for six chairs). A set of six chairs and a 72-by-38-by-30 Eastern knotty pine table is $1,199.
Take general measurements and any pictures and talk to the experts about your needs. They will propose design solutions and give you a fixed price and completion date. Barker will then visit your home or office to make sure the design, size and shape are right.
* Woodpeckers, 4111 Vanowen Place, Burbank; (818) 841-5485. Hours: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday (call first) or by appointment.
Weekend Super Sale
Baby-safety products make wonderful gifts for new parents. Family First, a store on the Westside, sells gift baskets of various sizes that are filled with these items. Safety night lights, switch plates, drawer and window latches and toilet locks--are among products sold for baby safety. On Friday and Saturday, all of the store’s baby gift baskets will be 20% off and, if you want, the staff will customize a basket at the same reduction. Prices range from $22 to $42. Family First, 3523 Centinela Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 390-0210. 10 a.m.-5 pm. Monday-Saturday.