What is Cantera?

We have all heard obout cantera but what is it and why is it popular in deigning fountains, mantles, and wonderful architectural features.

First of all cantera is a sedementary stone that was formed from volanic ash and most of it is found in Southern Mexico. It comes in many different colors and shades and it won't crack or expand due to its physical properties.

It is easy to work with as it is light weight and can be carved into wonderful designs. Here are some examples of fountains and mantles.

Exotic Woods

Here is a list of some of the rare and exotic woods found in Mexico and South American. I hope someday to find the names in English but I doubt that they exist - our only hope is to use the latin names. Roja blanca y negra, parota, caoba chapaneca, encino, sabino, tajibo, lapacho, flor amarillo, pashaco, copal, ojoso colorado, gumuchil and the list goes on!!

These woods have beautiful grains and colors that blend beautifully to create art in wood.

The Story of a Tree

This tree survived a fire in the forests in Mexico high up in the Sierras. It was lovingly cut and stripped of its burned exterior, cut into lumber and tranformed into this handsome armoire.

It now resides happily with a family in the lakes in Northern Ontario, Canada.

The Story of a Tree

This tree was in a forest fire but survived as it is a very hard wood. the photos will tell the story. It was carefully stripped of the outer layer and then cut into rounds and boards and finally made into a handsome piece of furniture.

Panchito Chairs

There are many different woods that are used by furniture makers in Mexico besides Mesquite.

Leather Furniture

Leather is used in many unique ways in making sofas, chairs and bar stools. Many times inferior grades of leather are used and in time they will crack and pull apart. Leather should be thick, soft. Here are a few samples of what can be done by combing different kinds of leather, in different colors and patters. A sofa of this quality is expensive but so much better than "Jerome's" quality.

All of this leather furniture is made in Mexico. You can reach us at: lamisionmuebles@hotmail.com for further information

Mesquite

What does mesquite really look like and how can I know that what I am buying is really mesquite. Many furniture companies claim that the furniture that they have is made of mesquite but it is really easy to tell if it is mesquite. First of all very few places in Mexico are licensed to use mesquite in crafting furniture. If you are one of the lucky people to have found a source for real mesquite furniture you are most fortunate.

One of the ways of identify this wood is by seeing the grain and color of the wood. Many times a dark stain is used to hide and conceal the grain of the wood. In this blog you will see the wood that was used to hand-craft the dining table and then see photos of the colors and grains of the wood. People need to be careful that they are getting real mesquite.

EQUIPALES with upholstery

The order finally arrived and we were all very excited to see how the equipales would look. We ordered a love seat, two chairs and a coffee table for a client with Sunbrella fabric. The result was outstanding. The combination of brick coloured leather and linen sunbrella was beautiful. The set cost $900.00 and will last a long time.

I have posted the photos, but we were so excited that we didn't unwrap the whole love seat but you will get an idea of how they look!

EQUPALES Care and Maintenance

It is good to remember that equipales are made of pigskin and as such should be treated like leather. Every few months they need to be cleaned and conditioned to protect them.

I just discovered a remarkable product that matches a cleaner and conditioner and I have tried them several times and the equipales look even better after this treatment.

Lexol Ph: Summit Industries 1-800-241-6996.

There is a gel cleaner and leather conditioner.

If you look after your equipales they will last a long time.

Copper Top Tables

Just as the base of a Mexican Colonial or Hacienda table can be wood or wrought iron, the tops can vary greatly from wood to marble to copper. We have found some beautiful examples of copper that can used with different bases. Generally it has a lustrous patina finish like the examples in the photos.

More Mexican Alder Furniture

After I looked at the Chinese Furniture that was being repaired I noticed two beautiful new Mexican Colonial pieces carved in alder. One was a small dresser that mesaured about 48 inches wide and was priced at $600.00 and the other was a carved bench that was about 52 inches long for $500.00.

What a contrast. You have to see the difference to believe it!

Photos of the Dresser and Bench!

Mexican Furniture vs Chinese Furniture

Last week I had the occasion to check out some furniture in a shop in Baja and noticed that they were doing some repairs on a bed that was purchased in a furniture store in the US. The rail had come loose where it attached at the column. I was astonished to see that the column was totally hollow and the surrounds were a heavy carboard; however, even more amazing were the beautiful "handcarved" decals which turned out to be heavy plastic. The couple had paid over $3,000.00 for the bed.

The veneer was so thin that you could easily scratch it off.

In Mexico you can purchase a magnificent bed similar constructed of "wood" for less!!

Photos to see!