231-893-8555 HOURS DESIGN STUDIO STYLES TERMINOLOGY MATERIALS CARE ASSISTANCE FABRIC Linen is a natural fiber that is moth resistant and very durable. It can be easily washable but tends to crease. Linen has been traditionally used for knitted bed, bath, table and kitchen textiles. LINEN Silk is a natural fiber that comes from the cocoon of the silkworm moth. Silk can be very expensive but is prized for its unique texture and luxurious luster. It requires dry cleaning and can be damaged by prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. SILK Wool is a natural fiber that is fleeced from sheep and processed through multiple further refinements. It is considered to be a good insulator, can be dyed any color and is often used to absorb noise and odors. Wool can also be blended with synthetics. WOOL Cotton is a very strong and durable fabric obtained from the cotton plant. It doesn't fade easily, is economical, airy and can be extremely soft and comfortable. Most T-shirts are made from cotton along with many other textiles such as sheets and decorative fabrics. COTTON Rayon is made from processed wood pulp and is known for its great strength and high absorbency. It is widely used due to its economy and drapery characteristics. Rayon is a common substitute for natural fibers such as cotton and wool. RAYON Like Rayon, Acetate fiber is also produced from wood pulp. Although Acetate is lower in strength and absorbency than Rayon, it is extremely cost effective, moth resistant and versatile. Acetate is commonly used in satins, brocades and taffetas. ACETATE Acrylic is a polymerized fabric that is lightweight, soft and warm. Acrylic fibers take dyes well, are easily washable and generally hypoallergenic. Acrylic is also shrink resistant, moth resistant and doesn't crease easily. ACRYLIC Polyester is a petroleum based fiber that can be hand washed and is considered to be very durable. Polyester is often mixed with natural fibers in order to produce fabrics that are shrink resistant, moth resistant, crease resistant and very long lasting. POLYESTER Nylon has proven itself to be the most durable synthetic fiber available. It is made from a combination of tar, coal and petroleum. Nylon does not shrink, is easily washable and highly crease resistant. Nylon was originally intended to be a synthetic replacement for silk. NYLON LEATHER Aniline leather is a delicate, soft and supple hide that has been treated with aniline as a dye. This leather is high-quality and is also sometimes referred to as "naked leather". Aniline leather can be damaged by prolonged direct sunlight and liquid spills. ANILINE Corrected-Grain leather is a top-grain hide that has been sanded or buffed in order to remove any surface imperfections. Corrected-Grain hides are not as high quality as top-grain and are most often used in pigmented leathers. CORRECTED-GRAIN Split leather is made by removing the top-grain from the hide, applying an artificial surface later and then embossing with a leather grain. SPLIT Suede is made from split leather. Suede is soft on both sides, is less expensive than top-grain and offers more visual texture than other types of leather. Suede can be used to provide a nice textural contrast against varying elements in a room design. SUEDE Full-Grain leather is the uppermost portion of the hide that contains the skin layer. This leather will wear better than other leather types and has not been corrected. Full-Grain leather, often referred to as "Top-Grain", is made from the very best raw hides. FULL-GRAIN / TOP-GRAIN WOOD Cedar is a soft, reddish wood having a distinctive odor that makes it ideal for closet lining, decorative accessories and chest making. Cedar is easy to work with and highly resistant to decay. CEDAR Cherry is a tightly grained hardwood native to most of Europe, western Asia and parts of Africa. Cherry ages well and is commonly used in cabinet making and fine furniture. CHERRY Chestnut is a hardwood native to temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. The wood is very durable if harvested before it reaches 50 years old but loses its strength as it ages further making it difficult to produce large timber. CHESTNUT The interlocking grain of Elm imbues the wood with a high resistance to splitting and cracking. Elm trees typically have long, straight trunks which are ideal for lengthier timber making the wood a preferred choice for large pieces. ELM Pine is a soft wood with a uniform texture that finishes well and resists shrinking and warping. Pine is commonly "farmed" all over the world and is one of the most widely used timbers. PINE Mahogany is used extensively in high quality furniture and also in boat construction due to its ability to resist swelling, shrinking and warping. It is a finely grained hardwood that exhibits a reddish color and is extremely durable. MAHOGANY Maple is a light colored hardwood that is often used in fine furniture and flooring. Maple is extremely strong and durable, making it a perfect choice for hard wearing surfaces such as bowling lanes and high traffic areas. MAPLE Oak is a hardwood that is very durable and resistant to moisture absorption. It takes stain very well making it ideal for furniture. Oak is also used in flooring and boat construction. OAK Native to the west coast of north America, Redwood is a light, soft wood that exhibits a natural resistance to decay which makes it a common choice for outdoor furniture, fencing and building materials. REDWOOD Rosewood is a tightly grained hardwood commonly used to make musical instruments and furniture. It is a dark wood with a reddish brown color and has a pleasant fragrance that distinguishes it from other woods. ROSEWOOD Teak is an extremely moisture resistant hardwood that is very durable. It is commonly used in making furniture, panelling, flooring and many other products. Teak also displays excellent load bearing capabilities when used in construction. TEAK Walnut is a dark colored hardwood with a fine texture that resists shrinking and warping. It takes finishes very well and is commonly used in making furniture, cabinets and wall paneling. WALNUT OTHER In order for glass to be made suitable for furniture use, it must be toughened by rapid heating and then quickly cooled with cold air. This process introduces permanent compressive stresses into the surfaces of the glass making it less liable to breakage. Steel became a popular furniture making material thanks to the German Bauhaus in the 1920's. As well as new aesthetic possibilities, it allowed furniture designers to experiment with a broad range of structural support systems not previously considered. STEEL FURNITURE MATERIALS GLASS DESIGN STUDIO STYLES MATERIALS TERMINOLOGY CARE ASSISTANCE Join our mailing list MAIN STORE 116 E. Colby Street Whitehall, MI 49461 (231) 893-8555 M T W Th F Sat Sun 9:00am - 8:00pm 9:00am - 5:30pm CLOSED 9:00am - 5:30pm 9:00am - 5:30pm 9:00am - 5:00pm CLOSED CLEARANCE CENTER 104 E. Colby Street Whitehall, MI 49461 (231) 894-5828 M T W Th F Sat Sun 9:00am - 8:00pm 9:00am - 5:00pm CLOSED 9:00am - 5:00pm 9:00am - 5:00pm 9:00am - 5:00pm CLOSED CONTACT US OUR PRIVACY POLICY © Copyright 2021 Bell's of Whitehall, Inc.