Elegance with bamboo

Bamboo can be used in novel ways and is light on the pocket too-

Bamboo furniture is undergoing a revolution of late. Milled, sanded and finished, fine bamboo furniture that rivals any hardwood furniture in durability and beauty is taking the furniture industry by storm. Add to that the fact that bamboo is one of the world's most environmentally friendly renewable resources to raise, harvest, and use, and it's clear why bamboo has become one of the hottest furniture building materials on the market. Bamboo's simplicity, which has been known all throughout the world maybe a part of it too. It may also be the desire to have what bamboo symbolized in Eastern cultures for centuries where bamboo is known for its resiliency, strength, longevity, flexibility and good luck. Its exoticism coupled with simplicity of profile makes it a much liked material.

Aesthetics
The bamboo look is rustic. As a design element it adds a warm touch to the environs and brings with it a special accent to the ambience enveloped within the four walls of the space. But this wonderful material can be produced to look very luxurious and sophisticated also. Two colours are available. There is the shade which is the inherent hue of the material in its natural habitat. This is close to the colour of maple and furniture can be made to retain the natural colour. A darker amber shade can be produced by the process of steaming the bamboo during the manufacturing process. The choice can be made depending on the shade required to complement the other accessories in the room and to maintain the continuity of the decor theme.

Qualities
The furniture can be of a smooth finish achieved by cutting the stalk into narrow sections and then gluing the pieces together. When different faces of the material are used the final look varies which can be bamboo plywood or vertical grain panels that are marginally sturdier. Care has to be taken to treat the bamboo chemically to ensure safety from pests and rot. This material is also harder and more durable than oak that is the benchmark of strength in the industry. In spite of its amazing qualities, this material is cheaper than hardwoods and a very practical solution to fit the budget for the concept of affordable homes. Its reputation as a green material is another reason for its suitability for homes. It grows very quickly after harvest and unlike hardwoods it does not need to be re planted as it sends up shoots after harvest.

Uses
Bamboo can be furnished into all kinds of furniture from tables, chairs, and cots. Bamboo blinds and shades add warmth and appeal to openings and the ambience within the room. When woven into matting it can grace the floor and add beauty. It is popular as a flooring material as it takesvery little time to be cured and prepared to be installed. It is a good alternative as the material is softer underfoot than oak. Bamboos are used for construction of houses, fences, bridges and flooring too. It is turning up in utensils, faucets, decorative accents, curtains, bed sheets, plates, wall decors, dinnerware, sporting goods, jewelry and handbags. It has also been used for cutting boards, wind chimes, vases and nearly any other object that is commonly made of wood. The lucky bamboo is used in homes to bring in health, happiness and longevity. Its qualities allow it to be made into delicate aspects like musical instrument which use its hollow stalk for resonance while its strength makes it ideal for even canoes, zeppelins and planes. It is a beautiful landscape plant and is used often as a screen for a visual barrier. Within and outside the home, the bamboo is a plant that adds an aesthetic dimension to decor, well within a limited budget but with a visual appeal that is down to earth as much as it can be dramatic.

Source: Times Property

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