At Hardwood Artisans, we typically finish our furniture with Danish oil. Danish oil is a polymerized linseed oil, or a combination of oils that have been heated up to enhance their melding together. It is similar to Tung oil, except it has had other oils added to the mix as well. For durability, a touch of polyurethane has been added to the mixture as well. The net effect is a satin finish that is protective, but barely there, allowing you to feel and see the natural beauty of the wood.

In addition to our natural finish, we have several woods that come with a no charge stain. Sometimes a wood color dictates some “enhancement”. In the case of mahogany or white oak, we add a light stain to bring out the best of the woods character.

We have created over the years a number of optional stains. We have tried to create colors that mirror the tones of the period. There is a lot of depth in these colors because they are actually layers of different colors, rather than just one coat of custom stain. Most of the time, we lay an aniline dye stain on as the first step. This actually dyes the wood. We then apply several layers of wiping stain, and then finish with a Danish oil top coat. This layering enhances the refraction off the piece, giving the finish that feeling of depth.

We have the ability to do custom staining to “match” your existing piece. I say “match” because wood, patina, yellowing shellacs, sun bleaching, oxidation, etc. are all things we cannot duplicate. Time changes a finish. We can get very close to your finish, but will never get an exact “match”. There is one thing I have learned about this topic, however. We are far more particular about how close a color gets than most of our customers!

Finally, we offer lacquered finishes upon request. Sometimes, a customer wants a cabinet that is “painted”. We are able to fill this request. We are also able to apply very dark stains, which require a lacquer top coat to seal in the color. Basically, whatever your finishing requirements, Hardwood Artisans can probably accommodate them.