Mid-Century Modern Danish Teak Furniture

Furnish Me Vintage carries one of the Florida’s largest teak furniture collections including beds, tables, chairs, and desks by mid century modern designers.

After WWII ships returned from Asia with as much teak as they could, not wanting to return without goods. This is one reason why this particular wood was so cost effective for Scandinavian countries, beginning in the late 40’s. There was an abundance and Scandinavian designers began building teak furniture at a low cost to be mass produced. However, this wasn’t the first time this wood had been utilized. Teak, or Tectona grandis, is native to the tropics. It was used as early as the 7th century, adorning homes of wealthy and powerful people. As early as the 1600’s Indonesia was colonized by the dutch, who began using teak wood for shipbuilding for its ability to ward off dry rot. Teak has an abundance of natural oils and rubber locked within the tight grain of the wood. They also protect the wood from dry rot, which can happen to older wood furniture. What’s more, the oils and rubber protect the heart of the wood from invaders like fungi and parasites, even termites that can destroy other woods. Protecting wooden furniture from such intruders requires applications of weatherproof oils and treatments; not so with teak. You’ll find an abundance of natural oils and rubber locked right into the tight grain of the wood. All woods contain oils that protect the tree — think maple, sap or tea tree oil. Teak, however, can retain these oils and its rubber even after being felled and processed. Because of this, teak has greater naturally weather-resistant properties than just about any other type of wood. When dried to a proper moisture level the oils and rubber weatherproof the wood. If well cared for, teak pieces can last for a hundred plus years.