Modern and Traditional pine styles

One of the effects of modern media such as the internet is that it is now far easier for people to find others who share the same views - and tastes - as them. In the furniture world this diversification has made it far easier than ever before to choose a style because you like it and not be dictated to by those who decide what is fashionable.

The upside is that if you want rough sawn natural looking furniture, reproduction furniture, painted shabby chic, Indian-inspired or the very latest style then there is someone, somewhere, who can supply it. The downside for those who don't spend all their days thinking about furniture(!) is that the breadth of choice can become confusing. Here are a few pointers on using pine furniture:

Victorian/Period style
For the period home look, pine would generally be found 'below stairs' in the kitchens and servants' quarters of grander houses or in workers cottages. The exception might be the famous Welsh dressers (of Wales!) as these were found in the homes of relatively humble folk but were almost always made out of local Welsh oak.

In the 60s and 70s stripped pine became the fashion, with Victorian pieces that were dark with age and grime being stripped back to the lighter-coloured bare wood underneath. In the 80s and 90s this spawned the production of much traditional style furniture that was spoiled only by some very nasty (but removable) stained varnish finishes. Today there are a number of companies that produce traditional-style pine furniture but usually offered in a choice of much more suitable wax or lacquer finishes. See CPW or Devonshire Pine.

Contemporary/natural
Pine is also popular with those seeking a modern, environmentally-aware, look. Pine furniture is made with timber from sustainably managed forests and, unlike some tropical woods, does not have to be shipped half way around the world to reach UK markets. Some of the more contemporary styles - particularly for example, some of the rough sawn styles - work really well when contrasted with chrome, steel, glass or plastic. Styling should be very simple, with clean lines and no fancy decoration or fittings. Light, natural finishes complete the look.