Mexican pine furniture is considered to be amongst the best quality furniture in the world. Due to its sturdiness and longevity Mexican pine furniture owners know that they have gotten what they paid for, and more.

Rustic Mexican pine furniture is available, also, in different types of pines. Although in Mexico there are over 105 different types of pines from which to manufacture Mexican pine furniture, the sturdy and elegant white pine appears to be a favorite. A close second is the green pine. The geographical areas where there are the largest masses of pines, both in volume and land extension, are in Durango, Chihuahua, Michoacan, Mexico, Veracruz y Coahuila.

The caliber of the Mexican artisans who work the wood is unequaled for, what they do, they do with love and respect for the material they work with - and, that goes a long way. If you can imagine it, they can make it - it is that simple. For centuries in Mexico where machismo is alive and well, just like it is in all other Latino countries, this has been the labor of men, exclusively. A new trend developing within the rustic Mexican pine furniture artisan community is that women have now stepped into that field and little by little are proving to be as gifted as their male counterparts.

The artisans of the different regions work the wood in different manners - some leave it unfinished, also known as "rustic"; others carve flowers, images and scene on the furniture itself, while others stain and varnish their completed masterpieces.

Out of the 111 species of pines, worldwide, between 41-43 are found in Mexico, which is why the Mexican pine furniture industry in that country is so large. The big cone pine, a native of Mexico grows up to 80 feet, while the Mexican yellow pine also grows to a hefty height of 50-60 feet. The green pine, which grows in Central-Northwest Mexico and the white pine native of Southern Mexico appear to be the most popular when it comes to rustic Mexican pine furniture making. The White Pine grows between 90 to 140 feet, and sometimes even up to 150 feet.

World-wide and throughout history carpentry has been considered to be a "man's job". Now women in Mexico are learning the craft of making rustic pine furniture. Some do it out of pure financial necessity - i.e., single parents or main family providers; others, simply, because they want to learn the trade and continue this particular native craftsmanship which is appreciated world-wide and has put Mexico on the world's cultural map.

Two companies which stand out due to their hiring of women carpenters are Hector Cabrera Oropeza's, a well-known Mexican architect whose factory is right outside the capital city and that of the Borbolla family with their factory located in Zacapoaxtla.

Rustic Mexican pine furniture comes in various styles. There's the rustic, or unfinished and its counterpart, the finished pine furniture. The finished Mexican pine furniture is either stained or varnished to a high gloss which adds a very natural and warm color to the wood. Finished Mexican pine furniture, though much simpler, is sanded down and then waxed to bring out the natural characteristics of the wood. The outcome is simply stunning.

The town of Capacuaro, in the region of Michoacan, is considered the "cradle of carved Mexican pine furniture", and where most of the villagers earn their living as artisan carpenters. Another area which is renowned for its carved furniture is Oaxaca. Due to the softness of the Mexican pine, such allows for easier handling when it comes to carving round edges. The subjects of the carvings on the furniture range from celestial bodies - stars, the sun and/or moon to angels, flowers (mainly calla lilies and sunflowers), fruits, birds and native Mexican history. In this case, the results are breath-taking.

The images and textures that are carved unto the rustic Mexican pine furniture are endless. Since you're the boss when ordering your Mexican pine furniture you're not limited to what's available. Options may be geometrical designs, such as a weave pattern.

In Mexican pine furniture that has been stained or varnished, there are artisans that will even incorporate the three colors of the flag of Mexico. This results in a vibrant and unique piece of furniture which will be a definite topic of conversation amongst your friends and guests.

When it comes time to buy furniture you want quality and beauty for a good price. That combination is sometimes difficult to achieve. Mexican pine furniture provides you with all three. The furniture is built out of solid pine, the craftsmanship is equaled by few, world-wide and the price is hard to compete with. The choice should be simple.

Here's a few tips to help you keep your rustic Mexican pine furniture in its best condition:

Step #1 -

Rustic Mexican pine furniture is fairly tough, but still has certain weaknesses. If you live in a place that has consistent changes in weather, you need to keep your home at a relatively stable temperature. The reason for this is because rustic Mexican pine furniture had a tendency to split or warp in those conditions. Heat sources must be monitored as well.

Step #2-

Keep the rustic Mexican pine furniture out of direct sunlight.

Step #3 -

Avoid any kind of silicone product usage. These are harmful to the rustic Mexican pine furniture and can pull the protective stain from it. Using a typical furniture wax should work instead.

Step #4 -

Treat any kind of scratch by cleaning the spot with a soft, damp cloth. Using sandpaper, sand the scratch with gentle strokes to smooth it out and then clean the spot again. Afterwards apply a little white spirit (or an organic chemical that comes from paraffin) around the edges. Then clean again and use your trust furniture wax to buff that baby to a nice, clean shine.

Step #5 -

Linseed oil is the product most commonly recommended for use on your rustic furniture. If you reside in a humid climate where there is excess moisture, linseed oil serves as a natural preservative which will protect and waterproof the wood.