making an oak table top

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The smell of freshly oiled oak

Many people, us included, love the smell of freshly oiled oak. 

During our time in the shop we had some customers that admitted to popping in just to smell the newly oiled oak furniture but, love it or hate it, it is certainly distinctive. 

Unless otherwise requested, our oak furniture is finished with oil to offer protection to the piece while retaining the natural character of the wood. This natural oiled finish and the oak itself can create an odour. The majority of wood finishes have an odour whether it be paints, lacquers, waxes or oil. 

The smell of any finish will lessen in time but if you really dislike the smell you could try putting the oiled furniture outside or into a well ventilated room after unpacking it, on most occasions this will help the smell to diminish. Remember to open any drawers or cupboard doors. If this does not reduce the smell and you still find it quite prominent you could use a damp but well wrung out lint free cloth to wipe down the surface. 

To maintain an oiled finish you should give your furniture the occasional coat of oil but use a light coat if you dislike the smell and again, leave the furniture outside to dry or in a well ventilated room.

Oak drop leaf dining table

This beautiful, made-to-order oiled oak dining table is making its way to a customer as I type!

The table displays all the individual characteristics and charm of any handmade oak furniture.

The knots, grain and colour variations make each table completely unique.

Our furniture is always delivered ready assembled which not only adds to the durability of the piece but also means that as soon as your table arrives you can serve dinner!

One year on...

This time last year there were some exciting changes happening here at AJB Interiors. 

We had outgrown our small workshop below the Skipton shop and had decided a move down the road to Bingley to a new, larger workshop was the way forward for our little business. 

We have had a wonderful year. Our customers have supported us through the changes and we have found new customers from up and down the country. 

In the new workshop we can concentrate on the production and design of our furniture while Mark, owner of the Skipton shop, is still stocking pieces of our handmade furniture and taking orders for bespoke items.

Direct orders for our made-to-order furniture have been rolling in from our website and ebay shop with some of our new customers sending lovely emails, leaving great reviews and recommending us to family or friends. This is what keeps small businesses like us going and we couldn't be more grateful for the custom and support we have received over the last 12 months.

This makes us equally excited about the year ahead.

We aim to take what we have learnt from this year and continue into the next delivering an increasing quality of service to our customers, old and new. We hope to carry on pushing AJB Interiors forward, to explore exciting new opportunities and to design and create some great new pieces.

Thank you to everyone for their continued custom and support.