| Pine furniture in the walnut-stained original condition is | | | | century cabinet timber hut has been used in this |
| under extreme threat, as few collectors buy it for its | | | | country since cabinet making began. There are many |
| originality but rather for its desirable honey colour | | | | good examples of 19th century Blackwood furniture |
| after stripping and refinishing. This is a shame, as | | | | as well as superb furniture veneered in this timber |
| often a good original piece of pine shows up and is | | | | with its beautiful figure. It is a first-class hardwood |
| considered virtually unsaleable unless priced as a | | | | for all types of cabinet work, allowing for exceptional |
| restoration piece. It is very difficult for devoted | | | | detail in turning work and extremely durable. Due to |
| collectors of original pine, as even restorers will strip | | | | its hardness, however, it was more difficult to work |
| and sand these pieces because they are considered | | | | and was less favoured as a cabinet timber until |
| to be undesirable by most pine collectors. | | | | mechanised machinery was available. |
| Cedar furniture is certainly saleable in its original stale, | | | | Huon pine, probably the most highly regarded of our |
| but will sell faster and to a broader cross-section of | | | | dominant native furniture timbers, is known for its |
| the collecting community if cleaned and the finish | | | | brilliant birds-eye grain. Furniture in this timber is |
| brightened up which is disappointing to me as a | | | | mostly acquired for its quality, originality and patina, |
| collector involved in the conservation of furniture. | | | | as its followers are usually seasoned collectors that |
| Nevertheless cedar has gained acceptance in homes | | | | want only the best. One of its most important |
| without having to be radically restored as it would | | | | attributes is that it attains a beautiful mellow colour |
| have been 10 to 15 years ago, but unfortunately | | | | with age that most polishers have trouble replicating. |
| there is still much more being restored than | | | | Australian furniture has been manufactured from |
| conserved, which will continue until all of the original | | | | every indigenous timber and also many exotic |
| pieces have vanished. | | | | imports by master cabinet makers. Each piece should |
| Blackwood furniture I personally feel is not well | | | | be appreciated for its own charm and character, be it |
| received by the majority of collectors and is grossly | | | | decorative or utilitarian, and never underestimated. |
| under-estimated. It bears the stigma of being a 20th | | | | Remember, we are only guardians. |