subject: A Primer on the Teak Bench [print this page] A Primer on the Teak Bench A Primer on the Teak Bench
A teak bench is made out of (who would've thunk it..) the teak tree, which is a tropical Southeast Asian tree. They are admired the world over the refined look and sturdiness. The trees themselves grow to be over 100 feet tall. The benches themselves will often be stained with teak oil, which gives them a little shimmer which is however not overwhelming by any means.
People have developed many different ways and places to display their teak bench. Some like to stick it out in a garden, where they won't really sit in it that often, but it will look very good. Others like to use them in formal places: a study, a conservatory, even a library. They have that old-fashioned kind of style, like you should be sitting on them reading Shakespeare. The third way I have seen a good teak bench used is simply by placing it in a hallway or a stair landing. Obviously with the advent of modern, comfortable furniture such as couches, it is not so attractive to sit on a hard wooden bench. That is why I suggest you use it more as an accessory to the style of your house, whether inside or outside.
The origin of the classic teak bench probably comes mainly out of older England, once they started to develop trade throughout Asia. It was only natural that they would want to bring back this fine wood from the mysterious and new Orient back in the Middle Ages. Despite the upper-class style of these pieces of furniture, they are probably not as expensive as you think.
