Types of Wood
Domestic Hardwoods
American Chestnut
Chestnut’s warm, golden-brown tones and coarse texture bring an unmistakable vintage charm. Once a dominant hardwood in American forests, chestnut was prized for its rot resistance and striking beauty. Today, reclaimed chestnut carries a storied history and offers a rich patina that whispers of the past. Its enduring appeal and rustic charm make it a timeless favorite for those who appreciate heritage and craftsmanship.
American Sycamore
Sycamore’s creamy white to light brown hues are accented by its intricate, lace-like grain pattern, creating a refined and sophisticated look. Known for its interwoven fibers, sycamore boasts a smooth texture that polishes beautifully, adding a touch of luxury to any piece. Traditionally used for fine cabinetry and musical instruments, it offers a perfect balance of beauty and resilience. Its distinctive appearance adds an element of timeless elegance to any collection.
Birch
Birch is renowned for its pale, creamy color and fine, even grain that lends itself to a modern, minimalist aesthetic. Its smooth surface takes stain beautifully, offering a canvas for a variety of finishes that enhance its natural elegance. Traditionally used in Scandinavian furniture, birch is a lightweight yet strong wood that resists wear and tear. It’s the perfect choice for those who appreciate understated beauty with a touch of resilience.
Black Walnut
Black walnut is the epitome of luxury, with its deep chocolate tones and swirling grain that create an air of sophistication. Often used in high-end furniture and fine gunstocks, walnut’s rich, dark hues can develop a beautiful patina over time. Its workability and natural luster make it a favorite among artisans seeking elegance and function. Whether polished to perfection or left raw, walnut delivers an unparalleled sense of warmth and opulence.
Butternut
Butternut, often referred to as “white walnut,” features warm golden hues and a gentle, flowing grain that exudes natural charm. Softer and lighter than its walnut cousin, butternut is easy to work with and ages gracefully, developing a soft, honeyed patina. Historically valued for its use in fine cabinetry and decorative carvings, it offers an inviting, organic beauty. Its rich history and soft elegance make butternut a treasured favorite.
Cherry
Cherry wood’s signature reddish-brown tones deepen with age, developing a rich patina that enhances its natural allure. Valued by craftsmen for its smooth grain and fine texture, cherry has been a staple in American colonial furniture. With a subtle, sweet aroma and natural luster, it brings warmth and sophistication to any setting. Every piece of cherry wood tells a story, evolving into an heirloom that grows more beautiful with time.
Koa
Koa’s warm, golden-brown hues with hints of deep red and subtle chatoyancy make it one of the most coveted hardwoods in the world. Native to Hawaii, it carries a rich cultural significance and has been used for everything from surfboards to fine musical instruments. With a grain that can range from straight to highly figured, koa adds a dynamic, organic elegance to any design. Revered for its rarity and beauty, koa embodies the spirit of the islands.
Hard Maple
Hard Maple is known for its exceptional durability and fine, uniform grain, making it a premium choice for those who appreciate a clean, contemporary aesthetic. It has a naturally pale, creamy color that ages to a warm amber over time, offering both strength and beauty in one package.
Soft Maple
Soft Maple provides a slightly warmer, more varied appearance than Hard Maple, with occasional curl, figure, or light spalting adding to its character. Though called “soft,” it is still a durable hardwood, just slightly less dense than its harder counterpart. Its subtle beauty and inviting feel make it an excellent choice for those who appreciate a more organic, natural aesthetic.
Poplar
Poplar’s smooth grain and light, muted greenish hues give it a modern, understated elegance. It’s one of the most versatile hardwoods, frequently used for painted finishes and detailed woodworking projects. Surprisingly lightweight yet durable, poplar offers an easygoing charm that complements a variety of styles. Whether left natural or finished with a pop of color, poplar is the perfect blend of simplicity and style.
Red Oak
Oak is a symbol of strength and endurance, prized for its striking grain patterns and exceptional durability. White oak offers a refined, pale tone with a subtle silver sheen, while red oak boasts warm, reddish undertones that bring a rustic charm. Revered by woodworkers for centuries, oak was even used in shipbuilding and fine whiskey barrels due to its resistance to moisture. A timeless classic, oak brings a touch of tradition and rugged elegance to any collection.
Sassafras
Sassafras combines earthy brown tones with hints of golden highlights, creating a rustic, down-to-earth charm. Its unique grain often features subtle waves that add depth and movement to each piece. Valued not just for its beauty, sassafras carries a light, spicy aroma that adds a sensory dimension to your experience. Naturally resistant to decay, it’s as practical as it is beautiful.
Exotic Hardwoods
Bloodwood
Bloodwood’s deep, rich red color and fine, straight grain make it one of the most visually striking hardwoods available. Hard and durable, it offers exceptional resistance to wear while maintaining a luxurious appearance. Over time, its vibrant color deepens, adding even more character and charm. For those who love bold, dramatic aesthetics, bloodwood provides an unforgettable touch of exotic beauty.
Bocote
Bocote’s swirling grain patterns, ranging from golden yellow to dark brown, create a mesmerizing, artistic effect. Highly sought after for its eye-catching appearance and natural luster, bocote brings an exotic flair to any collection. Its dense, oily nature makes it durable and resistant to the elements, ensuring long-lasting beauty. Perfect for those who appreciate bold patterns with a touch of sophistication.
Brazilian Rosewood
Rosewood’s deep, dramatic tones, ranging from chocolate brown to purple-black, are enhanced by mesmerizing dark streaks. Its natural fragrance, reminiscent of roses, adds an extra sensory appeal to its already stunning aesthetics. Valued for its density and smooth texture, rosewood is commonly used in fine musical instruments and high-end décor. Bold, exotic, and luxurious, it offers a unique blend of beauty and resilience.
Bubinga
Bubinga’s rich reddish-brown color, often accentuated by purple streaks and a subtle shimmer, makes it a visual delight. Known for its strength and fine texture, bubinga is a favorite in high-end furniture and musical instruments. With a natural luster that deepens over time, it offers both durability and refined elegance. Its exotic charm and smooth feel make it an exquisite choice for those who appreciate luxury with a touch of the extraordinary.
Chechen
Caribbean Rosewood, also known as Chechen, captivates with its rich palette of colors, ranging from deep reds and chocolate browns to golden honey streaks. Its striking grain patterns and high natural luster give it an exotic, luxurious appeal that stands out in any collection. Highly durable and resistant to wear, it has been favored for fine furniture, musical instruments, and artisan-crafted accessories. With a smooth, dense texture that polishes to a stunning sheen, Caribbean Rosewood offers both beauty and resilience, making it a perfect choice for those who appreciate bold elegance with a tropical flair.
Cocobolo
Cocobolo’s striking blend of deep reds, oranges, and dark streaks creates a mesmerizing visual display. Known for its natural oil content, it boasts a smooth, almost waxy feel that enhances its luxurious appeal. Often used in fine art, musical instruments, and high-end accessories, cocobolo is as durable as it is beautiful. Its exotic richness and vibrant personality make it a prized choice for those with an eye for bold elegance.
Ebony
Ebony’s rich jet-black color and smooth, mirror-like finish make it one of the most luxurious woods available. Prized since ancient times for its unparalleled density and deep luster, it has been used in everything from fine art to royal furnishings. The striking contrast between its dark heartwood and occasional lighter streaks adds an air of mystery and drama. Rare and exquisite, ebony brings a sense of timeless sophistication to any collection.
Goncalo Alves (Tigerwood)
Tigerwood’s dramatic stripes of golden brown and deep black create a wild, natural elegance that’s impossible to ignore. Highly durable and resistant to wear, it’s often used in luxury applications where beauty and toughness go hand in hand. The exotic patterns and high luster make every piece unique and captivating. If you seek something bold and durable, tigerwood is a showstopper.
Granadillo
Granadillo is a richly colored hardwood, featuring deep reddish-brown hues accented by darker streaks that create a luxurious and sophisticated look. Known for its exceptional density and fine, even grain, it offers a smooth texture that polishes to a mirror-like finish, enhancing its natural luster. Often compared to rosewood, granadillo is highly sought after for its incredible durability and resistance to wear, making it a perfect choice for fine furniture, musical instruments, and decorative accents. With its rich tones and striking grain patterns, granadillo exudes a sense of elegance and strength that adds timeless beauty to any collection.
Italian Olive
Olive Wood is prized for its stunning grain patterns, rich golden hues, and deep brown veining. Sourced from ancient trees, each piece is one-of-a-kind, showcasing swirling, irregular grain with an almost marbled effect. Beyond its striking beauty, Olive Wood is dense and durable, making it an excellent choice for a refined, heirloom-quality valet.
Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry)
Jatoba’s warm, reddish hues and strong grain pattern bring a lively yet refined presence to any space. Known for its incredible hardness, it’s a favorite for flooring and high-traffic applications, offering long-lasting beauty. Over time, jatoba deepens to a rich, cherry-like patina that enhances its already stunning appeal. Durable, exotic, and rich in color, it’s the perfect balance of beauty and strength.
Kingwood
Kingwood’s deep purple and rich brown streaks give it a regal appearance that stands the test of time. Traditionally used in fine cabinetry and inlays, its natural luster and striking contrast make it a luxurious choice. Dense and durable, kingwood offers a high level of polish and refinement. For those who desire an air of royalty, kingwood reigns supreme
Leopardwood/Lacewood
Lacewood’s distinctive flecked grain pattern, resembling lace or leopard spots, offers a unique, textural appeal that stands out beautifully. With its reddish-brown tones and shimmering surface, it catches the light in a way that adds depth and elegance to any piece. Lightweight yet durable, lacewood has been cherished for fine decorative work and luxury accents. Its striking natural pattern ensures that no two pieces are ever the same, making each creation truly one-of-a-kind.
Makore
Makore’s deep, reddish-brown tones and fine, consistent grain provide an air of understated luxury and sophistication. With a natural luster that polishes to a mirror-like finish, makore has been favored in fine cabinetry and high-end interiors. Its rich color and uniform texture make it an ideal choice for those who appreciate classic elegance with a modern touch. Durable and stable, makore ages gracefully, deepening in color over time.
Shedua/Ovangkol
Shedua, also known as Ovangkol, is a striking exotic hardwood with rich golden-brown hues accented by dark, dramatic streaks that create a bold, dynamic appearance. Its interlocking grain produces a beautiful ribbon-like figure, giving each piece a unique and sophisticated texture. Prized for its durability and natural luster, Shedua is often used in fine furniture and musical instruments, where both strength and beauty are essential. With its captivating contrast and smooth finish, Shedua brings an exotic yet refined touch to any collection, offering both visual intrigue and lasting resilience.
Padauk
With its fiery red-orange tones that deepen to a rich brown over time, padauk is a bold and striking choice. Its naturally lustrous surface and strong, interlocking grain create a unique visual appeal that stands out in any setting. Revered for its durability and resistance to insects, padauk is a favorite in both fine furniture and musical instruments. Its vibrant color and exotic allure make it an irresistible statement piece.
Purpleheart
True to its name, purpleheart’s rich, vibrant purple hues are unmatched in the world of exotic hardwoods. Naturally changing to deeper shades over time, its unique color adds a sense of artistic expression to every piece. Strong and durable, it is valued for its resistance to wear and its distinctive aesthetic appeal. A perfect choice for those who want to bring a pop of bold color and unmatched durability to their collection.
Sapele
Sapele’s warm, reddish-brown tones and ribbon-like grain pattern create a dynamic visual appeal that enhances any design. Often compared to mahogany for its depth and richness, sapele offers a striking interplay of light and shadow across its surface. With excellent durability and a natural resistance to wear, it’s a favorite for fine furniture and musical instruments. Its timeless charm and exotic appeal make sapele an enduring classic.
Snakewood
Snakewood’s mesmerizing pattern of dark, irregular speckles against a reddish-brown background gives it an exotic, reptilian appearance. One of the hardest and densest woods available, it has been cherished for centuries in fine jewelry, knife handles, and decorative pieces. Its rarity and striking look make it a collector’s dream, adding an unparalleled level of uniqueness to any collection. If you seek an exotic wood with unmatched character, snakewood delivers in spades.
Teak
Teak’s golden-brown hues and smooth, straight grain make it one of the most sought-after exotic hardwoods. Celebrated for its natural oils that repel moisture and resist decay, teak has been a favorite for shipbuilding and fine outdoor furniture for centuries. Its buttery texture and rich color deepen over time, adding to its beauty and charm. Durable, luxurious, and with a heritage of excellence, teak brings a touch of tropical elegance to every piece.
Wenge
Wenge’s dark chocolate hues, often appearing nearly black, bring an air of mystery and drama to any piece. Its coarse, straight grain creates a bold texture that stands out beautifully when polished. Known for its incredible density and durability, wenge is a favorite for high-impact applications while maintaining a luxurious aesthetic. Whether used for subtle sophistication or bold statements, wenge delivers a commanding presence.
Zebrawood
Zebrawood’s bold, high-contrast stripes of golden tan and deep brown create an exotic, eye-catching appeal. Known for its striking pattern that resembles the stripes of a zebra, this wood adds a dramatic flair to any piece. Its naturally coarse texture and dense composition provide durability without sacrificing style. Perfect for those who love unique aesthetics, zebrawood turns every piece into a true conversation starter.