I was out shopping today and came across some furniture from Restoration Hardware that caught my eye, especially since they had a massive sale going on. The salesperson, who doesn't work on commission, mentioned that the furniture is made of solid oak with veneer on top. I've never dealt with this kind of construction before, so I'm curious about it. Is veneer over solid wood still durable, or is it kinda tacky? I'd love to hear what you all think about this.
1 Answer
A lot of folks seem to think that veneer is cheap and bad because they're newer to woodworking. But that's not the whole story! High-quality veneer has been used in some of the best woodworking for centuries, including pieces from ancient Egypt. It's all about the type of veneer being used—like, there's cheap veneer found on basic furniture, but then there are beautiful, high-grade veneers that give you an awesome look without using massive slabs of wood. Oak is pretty affordable and solid, but many time, putting good veneer on less expensive wood is a classic technique, even for pricey items.
Exactly! Some iconic mid-century modern pieces are only possible thanks to veneers. While many furniture pieces use it, that doesn't mean all veneers are bad. It's about the quality—veneered pieces can be practical and stunning too!