Oak coffee table

Oak chest dovetails

Samples

English wood

In England we have a great choice of hardwoods. I like using them because of the outstanding finish that can be obtained which is superior in character and interest compared with imported wood. My aim is to make the best use of these local resources.

The wood I use comes from sustainable, trusted sources and I choose it myself at the sawmill.

Some different types of wood are shown below. Not all are suitable for every application and the trick is to choose the right one for the job.

Oak Tough and strong, oak embodies the very essence of England, and is used extensively in furniture making. Straight grained and light tan to biscuit in colour, it’s also available with varying degrees of marking or ‘figure’, like knots, rays and cats paws.

Elm Although more difficult to work and less available than oak, elm has a lovely warm colour with flecks of light and the occasional streak of green. This wood has huge character.

Ash A more lightly coloured wood, ash is nonetheless full of character with light brown shades and the occasional hint of purple.

Sycamore is one of our finest hardwoods, with an even grained white colour which can look highly dramatic.

Cherry is a pale pinkish-brown colour, straight grained with a fairly fine even texture. It sometimes has a distinctive green streak running through the grain.

Yew For centuries yew provided weapons for the bowmen of England. It’s golden orange-brown in colour, with purple, mauve and brown patches, tiny veins and little knots. It finishes beautifully, but needs careful selection.