Every piece in our woodshop is handmade by Gilbert from real hardwood. Here is a little about each wood we use. Because it's natural wood, color and grain vary from piece to piece, and many woods change color gently over time.
Oak
Oak is a light tan wood from the forests of North America and Europe, with a prominent, open grain. It is strong and hard-wearing, and furniture makers have favored it for centuries.
Teak
Teak is a golden-brown wood from Southeast Asia (India, Myanmar, and Thailand) that is naturally oily and very durable. It has a straight grain and a smooth feel, and it has long been prized for boats and outdoor furniture.
Padauk
Padauk grows in Central and West Africa and is known for its vivid orange-red color, which slowly mellows to a deep reddish-brown over time. It is a hard, stable wood with a bold, eye-catching look.
Purpleheart
Purpleheart grows in Central and South America, mainly the Amazon basin, and is known for its deep purple heartwood that darkens with age. It is dense and hard, with a fine, straight grain.
Cocobolo
Cocobolo is a dense tropical hardwood from the Pacific coast of Central America, from Mexico to Panama, with rich reddish-brown tones and dramatic darker figuring. Its grain can be swirling and highly varied, so no two pieces look the same.
Osage Orange
Osage orange is a bright yellow wood from the south-central United States (Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas) that mellows toward golden brown over time. It is very hard and dense, with a fine grain and a distinctive glow.
Wenge
Wenge is a very dark brown wood with nearly black streaks, from Central Africa. It is dense and heavy, with a bold, straight grain that gives each piece a striking look.