Wooden chairs made of oak can be a delight. Although mass-produced since the 1860s or so, each chair pattern seems to have a touch of whimsy. Or at least the ones I like best do. Oak kitchen or dining ...

While some antique furniture is best kept behind velvet ropes in do-not-touch settings, American oak begs to be used. There's nothing froufrou about it; even pieces gussied up in Art Nouveau trappings ...