Chile Forum

Zulu, I did a copy and paste and put that in Wiki. I do love a bargain...

'Good to know that these places exist; and my thanks to Laura for placing the names and addresses in the Wiki. But is there any help for those of us who live (or who will be living) outside the RM?

And what of going to local cabinetmakers? My Chilean friends and relatives lead me to believe that the local craftsmen aren't really worth going to -- but someone, quite a few someones, clear do go to them!

I think one problem with local cabinetmakers is that they work mainly with Eucalyptus wood, which doesn't really look all that nice.

I did come across a workshop on the road between Valdivia and Paillaco, where the guy worked in several different types of wood, and apparently also in redwood (which I thought must be protected?). He got his designs out of foreign magazines, and had some very nice furniture. Prices seemed to be very reasonable, I think EUR 500 or so for a 6-seater table and EUR 50 for a chair. Might be a while, but next time I'm in the area I could try to get his phone number.

Thanks, Frank; this sounds very appealling. Name, address, telephone number -- all would be useful.

As I learn more, I will get more information but there are local maestros that make cabinets, furniture, doors and windows from Rauli(used for our house) and other hardwoods. I'll have to get the streets but there are certain areas in Santiago that excel in different areas.

There was also a guy at the side of the road in Pirque making large baskets and furniture from willows but I don't think he has a permanent address! And some doors and windows made by another displayed leaning against the entrance to his house.

So, there are many opportunities to do business with local experts.

FrankPintor wrote:I did come across a workshop on the road between Valdivia and Paillaco, where the guy worked in several different types of wood, and apparently also in redwood (which I thought must be protected?). .

He may have been using Rauli. Both Rauli and Roble are common.

Rauli wood is a Chilean cherry-like wood. Roble wood is called oak but it's not oak at all(rather a type of beechwood). Roble is Spanish for oak, so I'm guessing the early spanish called it oak and it's been named that ever since.

A lot of the wood maestros(again, I'll have to get the address) will build anything you draw for them or can show an internet photo. There were many on the same street where we ordered the doors and windows. The guy we used did things on time, for the price quoted and did beautiful work.

The area itself doesn't look like Las Condes or central Santiago, pretty run-down shops but real treasures there.

This is AWESOME! Thanks for the wiki on shopping. A side benefit is that I am learning the names of things, a Spanish lesson of sorts. My biggest problem here has been that the Spanish words for things in Panama and Costa Rica are not the same as here...i/e kitchen items, etc. So this is absolutely awesome. Thank you!

I found this link a while back. It's in the states(a guy that imports or makes Chilean furniture to sell). It does have some good photos of typical Chilean furniture that is handmade.

http://home.comcast.net/~fzwanzger/pelequen.html

RWS wrote:Thanks, Frank; this sounds very appealling. Name, address, telephone number -- all would be useful.

Took a while, but here we go:

Muebleria Huichahue (Raul Orellana)

Huichahue km 11, Camino Valdivia, Comuna Paillaco
Mobile: (09) 9543 5851 / 9674 1880
Fixed: (063) 1972858

Muebleriahuichahue@gmail.com

My wife was there and picked up his card last week. We've ordered a TV table ($140,000, lbh 100x60x55cm in cypress), which should be delivered in about 2 weeks, so I'll post our experience once it arrives.

You can visit his workshop / showroom and see what he makes. It's on the left side of the road as you drive from Valdivia to Paillaco.

There isn't much reason to visit Paillaco, but if you're there around lunch or dinner time, you could stop at the "Hotel Central". It's across from the (defunct?) train station, it's not signposted as such, and you can get simple Chilean country fare in a nice dining room. Ask to be seated in the rear dining room. I wouldn't recommend staying the night, but if you want a good laugh ask to see the rooms...

Again, Frank, my thanks. It'll be awhile before I can use the information, but I'll try to squirrel it away among my (non-Linux -- 'still too ignorant of computers to be able to make the switch) Internet bookmarks.

We had kitchen cabinets as well as doors and windows made from rauli wood, which is something like cherry, and are happy with them. We did have to ask him to replace the green plastic screening material with the old fashioned kind. I'm sure he thought he was giving us the best, but we just couldn't imagine seeing the mountains through green squares.

Your comment reminds me, Laura: I'll be moving with some nice, antique porcelain. How does one protect -- or try to protect -- fragile household goods such porcelain and crystal from the frequent tremors -- and worse -- that plague otherwise peaceful Chile?

RWS, I don't know what people do. I don't have any expensive dishes at all here, at least nothing irreplaceable. The Chileans we know have their "fancy' dishes in a china cabinet on display-maybe they don't worry. And not worrying much is fairly Chilean and I'm trying to do that too...

Good advice psychologically, Laura. But I don't feel that I'm yet ready to take it. After half a century of life, I've accumulated quite a few things that mean a great deal to me emotionally, historically, aesthetically. As I expect my move to be total -- nothing left in the States save friends, relatives, and citizenship -- those things will go to Chile with me, too.

I've already thought of covering bookcases and, perhaps, kitchen cabinets with doors faced with strong netting. Adding thin foam-rubber cushions between plates could help. Beyond that (and the advice from a Chilean acquaintance to use a particular gummy substance to anchor figurines), I've no idea at present.

Perhaps I'll start a new thread on the subject shortly before moving.

I remember seeing a site (perhaps google it) that gave all kinds of tips for earthquake proofing your house. Essentially it comes down to nailing everything down, so things all move in the same direction.

I think in all my time in Chile i have felt one minor tremor in Vina del mar (and then someone had to tell that it was not just a big wave crashing), and never anything in the South. Then also, I seem to have missed such fun where ever I go.