Pine Sideboard Guide

Ask people whether they would prefer to have an oak sideboard or a pine sideboard, and people would overwhelmingly choose oak.  Most people have little knowledge of wood, but they know that oak is a quality hardwood that has a long history of use in fine woodworking.  This is true, and oak is a good wood, but their ideas of pine are a little less accurate.  Many people have the idea that pine is only used for making cheap furniture and that it is wood of mediocre quality.  Now, the white pine used nowadays may sometimes be lacking in quality, but in general pine is a fine wood in its own right and it is cheap because it is relatively plentiful in comparison with oak (I say relatively because our wood resources have been overburdened and mismanaged for centuries now, and we need to use wood more sustainably). 

As a matter of fact, some styles of furniture almost demand pine- a Mexican pine sideboard would probably look a little strange if it was done in oak or cherry. This is a style of furniture that is intimately rooted in a region noted for its landscape of beauty and enchantment, and one in which the design has harmonized with the material in a way that reflects this. The Mexican/New Mexican solid pine sideboard has been a fixture of homes in the region for hundreds of years, and for fans of the style, there is little question that this type of pine sideboard is an equal or superior of sideboards made of oak. The simplicity of the style means that an antique pine sideboard will not necessarily look much different from a contemporary one. Interestingly enough, while oak sideboards meant for use in the formal dining room will look out of place in a more casual environment, pine sideboard furniture can be equally at home in either setting. I believe that this is due to the dignity and simplicity of Mexican pine furniture. Where oak sideboards might seek to impress and give a sense of luxury or even nobility, the pine sideboard is beautiful and eye-catching without overtly flaunting itself. Even the mass produced models, like the Corona pine sideboard, can be quite beautiful.

A small pine sideboard can be quite charming and useful, and one may wish to get a painted pine sideboard for use in a country kitchen. Indeed, many pine pieces can project a somewhat rustic, but cultured feel, and have a certain honesty and closeness to nature. Pine sideboards can be a huge asset to almost any room, so don't make the mistake of thinking that only oak sideboards are worthy of your attention.