The journal
Materials
Timber, veneer, marble, brass, leather and cloth — how each behaves in this climate, and what to specify.
Oil, lacquer or polyurethane — which finish, and why
A finish is the only part of a piece of furniture you ever touch. Choosing between penetrating and film finishes decides how it looks in year one and whether it can be saved in year ten.
16 Aug 2026
Marble for furniture: what to use, and what will disappoint you
Pakistan quarries some of the best marble in Asia and most of it is sold with the wrong finish for the job. Honed against polished, the stones that stain, and how to specify a top that survives a family.
15 Aug 2026
Solid brass versus plated: the two-year test
Handles, hinges and sabots are 5% of a piece’s cost and the first thing to fail. In Lahore humidity the difference between solid and plated shows in about two summers.
15 Aug 2026
Bouclé, velvet or leather in Lahore’s climate
Upholstery that behaves impeccably in London can be unbearable here by May. What each fibre does in 45°C heat, monsoon humidity and a house with dust — tested rather than assumed.
14 Aug 2026Walnut, oak or sheesham: choosing timber for Lahore
Timber behaves differently in a climate that swings from 45°C dry to monsoon saturation. What actually survives here, what warps, and the one question that separates a workshop from a carpenter.
9 Aug 2026