Wood Industry US

The business side of woodworking

Latest wood coatings innovations

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Experts from AkzoNobel’s Global Color and Design team for Wood Coatings showcased the latest trends in colour and wood finishes at this Fall’s 2021 International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, NC.

The Global Color and Design Studio for Wood Coatings works with color designers to create new colors and effects in paints and coatings, drawing inspiration from trends in other areas of society, such as fashion and lifestyle. Across the five days of the High Point Market event in October, the team will be sharing valuable insights – both in the showroom and virtually – into the color and design influences currently shaping the wood industries.

“Color can bring joy, vibrancy, and impact to our lives, and that’s never been so important as it has over this past year,” says Rob Haley, Color Trends Manager for Wood Coatings at AkzoNobel. “This is why we’re so committed to innovating with color and wood finishes, keeping customers up to date on the latest trends. We like to visually demonstrate the relationship between color and wood finishes to our customers during consultations – and make the right decision together based on centuries of experience and in-depth market research.”

Some of the modern furniture designs and higher-end influences being reflected in the latest products from the AkzoNobel team include the trend for fresh looks rather than distressing, the preference for less gray and more color, the growing popularity of natural designs and smoother woods, such as birch, cherry, burl, walnut, and maple – all bringing the outside in. Consumers are also opting for organic elements, such as rattan, jute, sisal, and stone while moving away from pale and desaturated furnishings. 

Bright Skies™ ­– AkzoNobel’s Color of the Year 2022 – exemplifies these changing tastes. It is an airy, light blue that captures the optimism and desire for a fresh start felt across society. Extensive research conducted by the company’s in-house paints and coatings color experts and international design professionals reveals that people want open-air, connections to the great outdoors, and a fresh approach to everything after a spell of feeling shut-in.

AkzoNobel’s wood coatings experts have worked with these trends to build four distinct color palettes around the Color of the Year:

  • The Studio – soulful, warm and modern tones
  • The Salon – embracing artful qualities
  • The Greenhouse – reveling in nature’s influence
  • The Workshop – creating flexibility in multifunctional spaces

These will be a key influence on home decor – including furniture, flooring, cabinetry, and building products – in the coming year. The wood design team then works closely with highly-trained technical specialists to ensure the wood finishes are robust and can be industrialized for customers across the globe, across a full range of substrates.

“Wood is exceptionally versatile and the perfect companion for modern life. We want to inspire our customers with creative opportunities for combining colors and wood trends that reflect the way they live today,” adds Bob Averett, Color Design Manager for Wood Coatings at AkzoNobel. “Showcasing how we can help our customers achieve a contemporary, and personal aesthetic is a key part of the process.”

Osborne Introduces Mid-Century Modern Collection

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Osborne Wood Products, Inc. is an international supplier of high-quality wood components. Their extensive line of products includes table legs, corbels, cabinetry, moulding, inlays, hardware, and more. Their newest addition is the Mid-Century Modern line featuring over 40 products ranging from table legs to floating shelf hardware.

“This facet of furniture design captures the feel of the ’60s along with the straight lines of contemporary style,” says Leon Osborne, CEO of Osborne Wood Products about the newly released collection. “You can easily achieve that look with our new selection.”

The biggest highlight of the Mid-Century Modern line is the Wheeler legs and furniture feet. The Wheeler is a highly functional and versatile design because of its slim dimensions and round profile. The simple tapering effect allows this piece to stand out without the need for ornamentation. Osborne carries the Wheeler leg in heights ranging from 6″ to 29,” accommodating anything from a sofa to a dining room table. The classic leg is a 100 per cent wooden tapered leg, but variations include a brushed metal ferrule at the base and a top block. These unfinished legs are available in nine wood types, including cherry, hickory, maple, mahogany, and walnut.

“We understand that current furniture trends appreciate the dynamics that characterize
Mid-Century Modern design and have expanded our inventory to promote this style,” says Osborne about the line.

Other leg styles offered in the collection are the Brighton and Weston designs. The Brighton leg appears traditional but can easily enhance a mid-century modern room because of its geometric elements. The leg features a top rectangular block, a tapered cone base, and a sphere in between. It’s available in dining table, end table, and coffee table heights. The Weston leg is a square piece with the gorgeous juxtaposition of a wooden leg and brushed metal base.

The distinct lines of this design highlight minimalism and elegance. At 29,” 34 ½,” and 35 ½” tall, the Weston is ideal for dining room tables or kitchen islands.

Osborne offers multiple ways for designers and builders to achieve the mid-century modern look effortlessly. It’s simple to attach table legs straight to the floor or at a 12-degree angle with the Leg Mounting Plates, which eliminates the need for a table skirt. These sets feature four mounting plates, threaded inserts, bolts, and plenty of wood screws to build a contemporary table quickly.

Another option for attaching table legs is the Leg Mounting Cleats. These cleats are available in straight and angled versions with sizes ranging from 12″ to 36″ in length. Made out of hard maple and cherry, the stylish build of the cleats makes them an asset to the overall table design.

“For over 40 years, we’ve been providing components for woodworkers from the DIY group to the industrial manufacturers,” says Osborne. “Our customers are confident in our components because they remain structurally strong, accommodate industry trends, and are readily available.”

This innovative line is an exciting expansion to Osborne’s current selection.