interior design

Professional Guideline
- professional guideline for the interior design industry in hong kong http://www.hkida.org/rida/rida/

Standard contract for interior design consultancy
- http://www.hkida.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/HKIDA-Professional-Guideline.pdf#page=21

timber
- softwood

• coniferous trees (evergreen) include pines, cedars, spruces 
• needle shaped leaves, quick growing, resinous
• used for first and second fix joinery work
• painted

- hardwood

• decidous trees (seasonal) include oak, beech, mahogany and walnut
• shed leaves in autumn, slow growth 
• expensive and used for exterior doors and windows 
• require a finish in clear coatings using varnish, lacquer or french polish

french polish
- a wood finishing technique that results in a very high gloss surface, with a deep colour and chatoyancy. French polishing consists of applying many thin coats of shellac dissolved in denatured alcohol using a rubbing pad lubricated with one of a variety of oils
-  French polishing became prominent in the 18th century. In the Victorian era, French polishing was commonly used on mahogany and other expensive timbers. It was considered the best finish for fine furniture and string instruments such as pianos and guitars. The process was very labour-intensive, and many manufacturers abandoned the technique around 1930, preferring the cheaper and quicker techniques of spray finishing nitrocellulose lacquer and abrasive buffing. In Britain, instead of abrasive buffing, a fad of pullover^{[clarification needed]} is used in much the same way as traditional French polishing. This slightly melts the sprayed surface and has the effect of filling the grain and burnishing at the same time to leave a 'French polished' look. Another reason shellac fell from favour is its tendency to melt under low heat; for example, hot cups can leave marks on it. However, French polish is far more forgiving than any other finish in the sense that, unlike lacquers, it can be easily repaired.

• French polishing is actually a very interesting method that the French mastered in the 18th century. French aristocrats and immigrants brought their craft over to America during the American Revolution, where it was made extremely popular during colonial times until it fell out of favor in the 20th century. French polishing involves the use of shellac, which are made from the secretions of an Iac bug. Today there is only one brand in the United States that sells pre-mixed shellac solvent, and that is Zinsser . French polishing went out of style in America for one reason and one reason only, because of the prohibition of alcohol. In the 1920’s furniture makers had to switch to denatured alcohol. Shellac finishes are dependent upon alcohol. In the modern age of furniture making, prohibition laws are still in effect. The ATF still requires that methanol be put in all non food grade alcohols, which don’t make the best mixtures anyways for french polishing. Today in stores if you want to buy denatured alcohol, it will contain methanol which is what you are breathing in commercial shellac products. The percentage of methanol in denatured alcohol has increased even more in recent years. The solvent in the finish evaporates so you will breathe in a lot as you are laying it down for hours on end. This makes it extremely unpopular and toxic to use. The original alternative is 190 proof moonshine alcohol, but states across the country are starting to ban the use of brands like Everclear because of it’s status as a party drug. As of 2020 New Hampshire, Nevada, California, Ohio, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota, and North Carolina make it illegal to purchase 150 and 190 proof. In the other 38 states you have to be 25 years or older to purchase 190 proof. You can buy un-denatured ethyl alcohol but you need a permit of reasonable request in those states. If you’re not a science lab or established business it’s a lot more difficult for a person off the street to obtain. Websites won’t ship to banned states either.

Types of flooring
- asphalt tile
- vinyl tile
- carpeting
- linoleum
- rubber tile
- quarry tile
- terrazzo
- wood
- concrete

furniture
- 1950s chrome