Materials

Walnut is a prized hardwood, cherished for its rich, dark brown colour and fine grain. Its stability and beauty make it ideal for high-quality furniture, cabinetry, and gunstocks. Black walnut, native to North America, is especially sought after for its durability and striking grain patterns.

Oak is a tree long prized for its strength and durability, making it a cornerstone of furniture manufacturing. Its dense, heavy wood is perfect for creating long-lasting pieces that stand the test of time, from sturdy tables to ornate cabinetry.

Oak’s rich, warm tones and pronounced grain patterns also make it highly sought after for high-end furniture, where its appearance is as important as its durability. In folklore, oak trees are often seen as symbols of endurance and wisdom. Historically, the oak has been revered as sacred, with ancient traditions linking it to deities like Zeus, further cementing its place in the material culture of many civilizations.

Douglas Fir is a preferred wood in furniture making, particularly for larger, rustic pieces, thanks to its strong, yet lightweight nature. Its straight grain and ability to take stain or finish well make it suitable for both traditional and contemporary furniture designs. While it’s most famous for its use in construction and cabinetry, Douglas fir’s distinctive reddish-brown hue and durability have found a place in high-quality furniture, from tables to bookshelves.

Native American cultures hold the Douglas fir in high regard, associating it with strength and spiritual endurance, and the tree’s tall, majestic presence in forests makes its timber highly symbolic as well as practical in craftsmanship.

Ash is renowned for its flexibility and shock-resistance, properties that make it an excellent choice for furniture that needs both strength and elasticity. Its light, pale wood, with a distinctive, straight grain, can be used for a wide range of furniture, from simple chairs and tables to more intricate pieces like cabinets or armoires. Ash is also prized for its ability to be bent, a feature that allows for the creation of elegant, curved designs in fine furniture.

As a wood deeply tied to folklore, ash is said in many cultures to be the first tree created by the gods, and its wood is often associated with protection and resilience in mythologies, further adding to its appeal in furniture making.

Sycamore may not be as commonly used as oak or ash, but its distinctive pale, attractive wood makes it a favourite for specialty furniture and woodturning. Sycamore is valued for its workability, with a smooth texture that allows artisans to create intricate carvings and detailed designs. Its light colour and subtle grain patterns make it a great option for modern, minimalist furniture, or for pieces where a more refined look is desired.

The sycamore’s symbolic connection to protection and renewal, particularly in ancient Egyptian traditions, lends an air of mystique to any furniture crafted from its timber, often chosen for pieces meant to evoke a sense of calm and stability.

Beech wood is strong, hard, and resistant to shock, making it ideal for furniture, flooring, and kitchen utensils. Its close grain gives it a smooth finish, and it takes stain well. Beech trees have long been associated with wisdom, and it was once believed that books written on beechwood would last forever.

An old verse recalls, "The beech tree stands with branches wide, a quiet place where dreams abide."