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WOOD SPECIES
Chamcha Wood
Tamarind
Burl
Lychee
Teak Wood
Mango
Makha
Mai Theng
Chamcha is a fast-growing and exotic subspecies of Acacia that is
prized for its richly figured grain and distinct sap line. It is characteristic
for these trees to grow crooked and with low and heavy branching.
This allows for some of the most interesting and organic forms seen
in the world’s forests. It is this irregularity that defines the Origins
Collection; where we look for those pieces that stand out and turn
them into functional works of art.
Tamarind is a hardwood with a rich grain pattern and color. The
sapwood, around the exterior, is a pale yellow while the heartwood is
a dark purplish-brown. The center of the tree is usually hollow, giving
our tables a very unique personality. The entire tree is utilized; the
midsection of the trunks for firewood and branches for walking sticks.
Extraordinary in every way, from its highly-figured grain to the story of
how it comes to be. Burl is nature’s most beautiful form of protection.
When a tree experiences an unusual stress, the burl is its decades-
long response. A burl is the hardest part of a tree. Its rarest and most
beautiful aspect. It is often used in veneers for fine furniture, luxury car
interior trims or high-end instruments. We seek out the most unusual
forms and slice them into solid, generous slabs.
Lychee Wood is a hardy wood that is very heavy and dense with a deep
reddish color. Originally found in Southern China, the popularity of the
fruit these trees bear has resulted in it becoming a prevalent species
across Southeast Asia and beyond. In creating this collection, great
care was taken to unearth these root systems which were compacted
with stone and dirt and remove the sediment so they could be sliced
into sculptural furnishings
Teak is the most durable and weather-proof of all hardwoods and
is one of the world’s most valuable timbers. It has been historically
recognized for its robustness and firmness, and has a beauty and
richness that is unrivaled. Teak has an exceptionally pronounced grain
that is best accented by a simple clear coat finish. The natural oils the
wood produces allows it to be used outdoors year-round, where it
develops a beautiful silver-grey patina.
Mango wood is a medium-density wood that comes in a variety of
colors, ranging from light to dark brown, with some pieces even
having a hint of pink. Mango wood is inherently sustainable, being one
of the fastest-growing woods in the world. There is a high demand
for mango fruit around the world and the trees only bear fruit for the
first 10 to 15 years, requiring the trees to be harvested and replanted to
meet the global demand for its fruit.
Makha is a rare hardwood, highly prized for its outstanding finish.
The wood is hard, heavy and dense and develops a beautiful patina
as it ages. Makha is finely figured and typically reserved for use in fine
musical instruments and luxury car interiors. The base of the Makha
tree is especially valued due to the massive burls that grow in the root
system.
Mai Theng wood, also known as Balau, is a hardwood that is denser
than teak and with the reddish coloring of mahogany. Its rich tropical
oils allow it to work outdoors, just like teak. This prized wood requires
more time in the kiln and stronger saw blades to cut, resulting in
less widespread use than teak. By using raw slabs and roots from
Mai Theng trees, we have solved the sourcing issues and bring this
beautifully-figured wood to homes around the world.
331 / every piece a conversation
