When choosing new furniture, many people focus on its current color and texture. However, wooden furniture actually offers another way to enjoy it: "aging." At SHIKI, we work with both solid wood and veneer. In fact, both materials allow you to enjoy the aging process in the same way, but since this is surprisingly little-known, we would like to introduce its charm here.
Wood begins to change the moment it is placed
Solid wood and veneer are the very wood that was once alive. Even after being dried, processed, and turned into furniture, they continue to "breathe," slowly changing their appearance through exposure to light, humidity, and daily life.
Take walnut, for example. When it first arrives, it has a deep reddish-brown color. As it is exposed to sunlight and air, it gradually shifts toward a brighter amber hue. Oak, on the other hand, starts with a naturally light tone and takes on a calm, golden-amber shade as it is used. Even when it comes to "aging," the way the wood changes and the final appearance it achieves depend entirely on the species.
Veneer, in fact, changes beautifully too
You might think, "Since veneer is just a thin layer of wood, it doesn't age, right?" That is not the case. Because veneer is made by thinly slicing natural wood, it possesses the same properties as solid wood. When exposed to sunlight and air, its color changes slowly in the same way as solid wood.
However, the extent and speed of the change are not simply determined by whether it is veneer or solid wood. In reality, the way it changes is largely influenced by the tree species (such as walnut versus oak) and whether or not it has been finished. Since the surface of the veneer is also a thin slice of natural wood exposed to light and air, you can enjoy a rich aging process that rivals that of solid wood, depending on the species and finish you choose.
Even scratches and marks become a record of your life
Small accidental scratches or uneven color from sunlight—things that might be considered "defects" in industrial products—become part of the landscape of wooden furniture, reflecting "the time spent in this home." Whether solid wood or veneer, the unique character that emerges over time is something only the family who has lived with it for years can possess.
Cultivating the change to be even more beautiful
While aging happens naturally without special maintenance, both solid wood and veneer furniture can be nurtured to be even more beautiful with a little extra care.
■ Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight (to prevent uneven fading).
■ Periodically change the placement of the furniture or objects on it (to ensure even color development).
■ Dust with a dry cloth so as not to hinder the wood's ability to breathe.
The accumulation of these small habits creates the look of your furniture 10 or 20 years from now.
In conclusion
SHIKI furniture, whether solid wood or veneer, is crafted with the intention of remaining beautiful not just "now," but also "in the future." Perhaps one of the joys unique to wooden furniture is looking at a piece that has just arrived and imagining, "What will it look like as it ages?"
