Town guide / Wirral and Merseyside
Solid oak furniture for an Ellesmere Port home
Ellesmere Port grew up where the Shropshire Union Canal meets the Manchester Ship Canal, and its old docks are now home to the National Waterways Museum.
i.
The houses
Much of the town's housing dates from the twentieth century, built as industry grew along the Mersey, with older terraces near the canal and newer estates further out. Many of these homes have lower ceilings, plastered walls and full central heating, which is a long way from the cottages and farmhouses old oak was made for. Antique oak can look very good in a plain modern room, but the dry heat is the thing to plan around.
ii.
Oak furniture in that setting
Oak moves with the moisture in the air, so in a warm, dry house it can shrink slightly, opening hairline gaps in panels or loosening drawers. Keep pieces away from radiators and direct sun. For a tall item, measure ceiling height and stair width first, as some stairs are narrow with tight turns. Ask Sara for the dimensions of each separate section.
iii.
Buying from Caernarfon
Life: Full Colour is based in Caernarfon, with no presence in Ellesmere Port; the M53 runs down to Chester, where the A55 heads west along the coast.
Buying works the same way from anywhere: find a piece, ask Sara about it by the enquiry form or on 01286 400155, and buy through Creative Caernarfon.
Visiting and delivery
Life: Full Colour is based at 9 Segontium Terrace, Caernarfon LL55 2PN. Ask Sara whether delivery or viewing is possible for a particular piece.
Oak furniture listed on Creative Caernarfon
- Small Pot Board Welsh Oak Dresser (opens in a new tab)
- Period 18th Century Welsh Oak Dresser, Caernarfonshire (opens in a new tab)
- Antique Welsh Dresser of North Wales (opens in a new tab)
- Period Oak Coffer (opens in a new tab)
- 18th Century Oak Gateleg Dining Table (opens in a new tab)
One-off pieces: ask Sara whether a listing is still available.
iv.
Questions for an Ellesmere Port buyer
It often does. A single oak dresser, chest or table can give a plain room warmth and texture without needing a period setting around it. The practical points are size and heating: check ceiling heights and doorways, and keep the piece away from radiators so the timber is not dried out.
Oak takes on moisture in damp weather and gives it up in dry, warm conditions, so panels and boards move slightly through the year. Much old furniture was made with panels free to move in their frames for exactly this reason. Small seasonal gaps are normal; larger splits are worth asking Sara about.
Keep it out of direct sun and away from radiators, avoid silicone spray polishes, and dust it regularly. An occasional coat of good wax is usually enough. If the air gets very dry in winter, a humidifier or a bowl of water in the room can help the timber stay stable.
Browse the pieces on lifefullcolour.uk, then send an enquiry or call Sara on 01286 400155. She can answer questions about a particular piece, from its condition to its measurements, and whether delivery is possible. When you are ready, the purchase itself is completed on Creative Caernarfon.
Blot straight away with a soft dry cloth, pressing rather than rubbing, and let the surface air dry without hairdryers or wet cloths. Once dry, a thin coat of wax often evens out the finish. A pale mark that persists is best left alone rather than attacked with stronger products.
Flat-pack is light and inexpensive but made to be replaced. Solid oak is heavier and costs more at the start, but it can be waxed, looked after and used for generations. If you have small rooms or move often, think about weight and size before deciding.
Often yes, provided the lid is sound and you protect it with a runner or tray, keep drinks on coasters and avoid heavy loads at the edges. A lid that shows splits or wobbles is not the place for a television. Ask Sara what she can tell you about the hinges and lid.
Some pieces are priced on Creative Caernarfon, where purchases are completed, and others say price on application. For those, ask Sara through the enquiry form or on 01286 400155 and she can talk you through the piece. The Life: Full Colour site itself does not display prices.
Check whether the runners and sides look worn, and whether the drawer is stiff all year or only in damp weather. A little candle wax on the runners can ease a seasonal stick. A drawer that rubs badly or sits crooked is worth asking about before you decide.
Wipe with a slightly damp, well wrung cloth, then dry at once with a clean one, and avoid household sprays and bleach. Once a year, follow with a thin coat of wax. Fingermarks on waxed oak are normal and often mellow into the surface.
Felt pads protect hard floors, and a rug under the front feet can help on softer flooring. Lift rather than drag a piece when you move it. Check the feet from time to time for chips or loose wear, as they take the most strain.