Construction Details: Astrid Collection

Woods & Stains

This collection is available for order in the following standard woods & stains. Additional options may be available upon request for an upcharge of 10% - 20%. Contact us for details.

For more information about the woods we use.

The Copeland Furniture Finish

Our standard top coat is a pre-catalyzed lacquer. The "pre" refers to the fact that the acidic catalyst is added by the finish manufacturer, as opposed to post-catalyzed lacquers where the components are combined at the time of spraying. Copeland's finishes are Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) rated - meaning they are made to withstand the type of heat, grease & spills typically found in a kitchen setting. This durability is a significant advantage over the industry's standard conventional lacquers. Also noteworthy is the matte, satin look and feel of our finish which contrasts favorably with the heavy build-up and high gloss of conventional finishes.

GREENGUARD Certified

All pieces are finished with a catalyzed lacquer/varnish finish that resists stains, moisture rings and spots, heat damage (from hot beverages, etc.), and abrasions. Finishes are formulated to meet Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) standards and provides lasting protection. Standard finish is GREENGUARD Certified: We use a catalyzed sealer and top coat that is GREENGUARD Certified for low chemical emissions as the default finish option on all of our products. GREENGUARD certification is a testing program of UL (Underwriters Laboratory) focusing on the issue of indoor air quality. Further information about GREENGUARD certification, can be found at: http://www.greenguard.org

Background - Solid Wood Construction

Our solid wood comes from sustainably harvested, North American hardwood trees. We select species regarded for their exceptional beauty as well as their steady long standing market demand.

An important fact about solid wood is that it expands and contracts with the varying levels of humidity (up to 1% measured across the grain). Furniture made of solid wood must be designed specifically to allow room for the wood to move.

The reason manufacturers use solids is fairly obvious. Well made solid wood furniture is extremely durable and when damaged can be repaired and renewed over generations.

Hardware

This collection is available with all of the following hardware options on the center of the drawer. It is also available with all of the following options on the top of the drawer EXCEPT:

* "xxx" denotes that this knob is available in several different woods/stains. Contact us for details

Bed Platforms

Solid Deck construction is used in the Astrid bed and consists of two 3/4" Baltic Birch plywood panels that create a rigid foundation capable of supporting Astrid's deeply splayed legs and cantilevered platform. The mattress supports are attached to a wooden cleat on the side rail with the supplied Philips head screws. Also, all beds include adjustable center support legs that assure a level sleeping surface as well as compliance with most standard mattress warranties. Astrid beds utilize two center support legs for additional mattress support.

Drawer Boxes

Copeland's drawer fronts are solid wood, 3/4" thick. Drawer sides and backs are also solid wood - cherry, maple or ash - and are a full 5/8" thick. Drawer bottoms are 1/4" high-grade plywood panels (5 Layer baltic birch).

You'll notice that our drawers are joined with an asymmetrical English dovetail joint. Asymmetrical refers to the fact that the pins (seen on the drawer front) and tails (seen on the drawer side) are of different widths. This is the gold standard in traditional joinery and is both aesthetically & structurally superior to other common techniques.

The drawer front integrates directly with the drawer side. Often you will find furniture where the drawer front is simply screwed on to a pre-existing drawer box. This is usually because the manufacturer has opted to purchase pre-manufactured drawer boxes rather than going to the trouble of designing, engineering and building the components to match their individual designs. Sadly, many manufacturers who market themselves as Made in the USA engage in this practice, effectively outsourcing components that make up nearly half of the product.

Some manufacturers cut corners, leaving drawer boxes unfinished. Not only is this unsightly, it is potentially hazardous to your clothing. Delicate garments can be snagged or even torn on rough unsanded surfaces and this becomes more pronounced with age as the unprotected wood is exposed to changing humidity. Copeland's drawer boxes are fully finished and sanded on the interiors.

Solid Wood Case Sides

Forty-five Degree Miter construction refers to the angle in which solid wood tops and sides are joined to create a perfectly seamless perimeter. Stylistically, these cases are highly refined and visually Modern. The technique to produce this style of case requires extreme precision and is only attainable through exacting detail. The leading edge of the cases is beveled to present a thin delicate, line that belies their considerable heft.

Drawer Glides

The Astrid collection uses an Under Mounted Soft Close Glide on all bedroom, dining room and media case pieces. These full extension glides provide a gentle bump as the drawer is fully extended and a soft automatic retraction as the drawer closes. Since they are under mounted there is no visible hardware.