Straight Chair by George Nakashima
I often get asked what makes a piece of furniture heirloom quality. I think the logical place to start is with a definition. A heirloom is an object that has been passed down for generations. For most people the term heirloom conjures up images of grandma’s house stuffed with old antique furniture and unwanted items from estate sales. But antique just means old and everyone has seen an estate sale where the family is selling off grandma’s old furniture that not one wants.
So back to the question, what makes a pieces of furniture heirloom quality? In my opinion there are three criteria that need to be met for a piece of furniture to qualify as heirloom furniture; function, quality and design.
The first criteria is function. A piece of furniture that is not functional will not stand the test of time. In the early 90s my father made a living building custom “TV shrines.” And for the past 10 years I’ve made customers happy by hauling away these enormous pieces of furniture that no longer serve a purpose in the modern home. Alas, these beautiful cabinets built with quality craftsmanship do not pass the test.
Continuous Arm Chair by Thos. Moser
The second criteria is quality. This is a simple one. If a piece is not made with quality materials and quality craftsmanship it will not hold up to daily use. This brings to mind Ikea. Every year Ikea sells millions of pieces of beautiful, functional furniture, made from the cheapest materials available. But if you have even drive through a college town during moving week, you have seen the mounds of Ikea furniture waiting for the trash man to haul it away.
The third criteria is design. Another staple of the college apartment is the 2x6 and cinder block bookshelves. Perfectly functional, robust enough to last for generations and hideous enough to be replaced immediately after graduation. A heirloom piece of furniture must be designed well and aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
As lifestyles change and our furniture needs evolve, so too does the qualifications of heirloom furniture. As I continue my journey to build heirloom quality furniture I find myself turning again and again to the philosophy of the shakers;
“Don’t make something unless it is both necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary and useful, don’t hesitate to make it beautiful.” The Shakers
Sofa Table By Sustar Woodworks