This beautiful furniture is easier to produce and available at a lower price than genuine wood veneers. It's attractive and durable but usually doesn't provide the same benefits as the real thing. However, printing and engraving offers you exceptional looks on a limited budget. An appropriate finish adds the final touch of beauty to wood furniture. A finish which provides uniform color and adds a degree of protection generally requires the application of several coats of oil, wax, lacquer or paint to the surface.
Clean finishes allow the markings and grain variations of naturally beautiful woods to show through.
Tinted or opaque finishes change the color of the wood and can make two different woods appear to be the same. Finishes can vary the look of a piece, making it appear smooth and sophistcated or rough hewn or rustic. Distressing is a technique for aging new furniture and heightening its rustic appeal. The wood is beaten or battered before the finish is applied. Distressed finishes tend to hide finger marks and scratches and can be an excellent choice for rooms where there is a lot of activity.