Whether you’re an avid collector, or are occasionally attracted to certain pieces, chances are good that you have some degree of interest in antiques. If so, you’re in good company, as most of us own at least one, whether we bought it, or inherited it. Some people furnish their entire homes with antiques, and even have antique patio furniture outside.Whether you’re searching for a specific style of dresser, a stunning table to match your décor, or a junk piece to refinish, you should familiarize yourself with the various types of wood that the furniture may be made from, as they have different values and care requirements.Besides mahogany, oak, and walnut, which were mentioned in a previous article, rosewood was also popular for constructing antique furniture. In the 18th century, this hardwood was used mainly to create inlays and veneer, and was not used to make solid furniture until the early 19th century. Rosewood, which comes from Brazil, gets its name from of the scent that it emits when it is cut. It resembles mahogany, in that it is dark brown to reddish, but has a distinct grain pattern that is wavy, and almost black. Although it is beautiful, rosewood can sometimes be difficult to polish.Kingwood is quite similar to rosewood in appearance, except that its grain has a purple hue. Native to the West Indies, it was heavily used for veneer and parquetry, especially in France.You can also find a lot of antique furniture made from satinwood, which comes, in different varieties, from the East and West Indies. The trees of the West Indies produce wood that is the color of honey, and has a brilliant shine, while East Indian satinwood is paler, with a finer grain. Becoming popular early in the 19th century, it was frequently used for veneer and inlays. Because of its light tones, it was easy to paint.Ebony, which is a dense, heavy, and nearly black wood, was often used to make contrasting marquetry inlays. Calamander, or coromandel, a member of the ebony family, was popular in the Regency period. Indigenous to Sri Lanka and India, it is extremely hard, and has a black, striped grain. Wood from this family has also been used for making cabinets, piano keys, and knife handles.Being able to recognize different types of wood will always be helpful to you when you’re searching for antiques. When it comes to buying new outdoor patio furniture, however, you’ll find everything you want – along with everything you need to know – at CedarStore.com.CedarStore.com has a huge array of decay-resistant cedar, pine, oak, teak, and cherry furniture, as well as everlasting polywood, aluminum, and vinyl furniture that will look as good as new, even when it becomes antique. In styles from classic to contemporary, their outdoor chairs, swings, benches, lounges, settees, rockers, gliders, and dining sets, are available in dozens of spectacular colors to complement the décor of any porch, patio, deck, or gazebo.CedarStore.com will even customize furniture, at your request. To contact a design consultant or customer service representative, call 1-888-293-2339, or e-mail contact@cedarstore.com.