Wood Species Guide
Choosing the right wood is the most important decision in any custom furniture project. Each species has its own personality — colour, grain, hardness, and aging characteristics that shape how a piece looks, feels, and endures over decades. This guide covers the species we work with most and why we reach for each one.
Black Walnut
The crown jewel of North American hardwoods. Black walnut's deep chocolate tones and straight grain have made it the most sought-after species for heirloom-quality custom furniture.
- Hardness
- 1,010 lbf
- Colour
- Rich chocolate
- Best for
- Live edge dining tables, Executive desks
Maple
From luminous cream tones to jaw-dropping figured patterns like birdseye and quilted maple, this versatile hardwood offers both structural integrity and show-stopping visual character.
- Hardness
- 1,450 lbf (Hard Maple) / 850 lbf (Big Leaf)
- Colour
- Creamy white
- Best for
- Cutting boards and butcher blocks, Desks and workstations
Douglas Fir
A Pacific Northwest icon. Douglas fir's bold grain lines and warm salmon tones make it the go-to species for oversized live edge slabs, mantels, and pieces that celebrate the raw character of BC's forests.
- Hardness
- 660 lbf
- Colour
- Light salmon-pink
- Best for
- Large live edge slabs, Mantels and fireplace surrounds
Western Red Cedar
Aromatic, naturally rot-resistant, and strikingly beautiful. Western red cedar's warm, variegated tones and unmistakable scent make it ideal for wall art, decorative panels, and pieces that blur the line between furniture and sculpture.
- Hardness
- 350 lbf
- Colour
- Warm reddish-brown
- Best for
- Wall art and decorative panels, Outdoor furniture and benches
White Oak
The workhorse of fine furniture. White oak's closed-pore structure makes it naturally waterproof, while quartersawn cuts reveal shimmering ray fleck patterns that have graced the finest interiors for centuries.
- Hardness
- 1,360 lbf
- Colour
- Light tan
- Best for
- Dining tables, Kitchen islands and countertops
Cherry
A living wood that transforms over time. Cherry starts as a subtle blush-pink and deepens into a rich, luminous reddish-brown — a natural patina that no stain can replicate.
- Hardness
- 950 lbf
- Colour
- Light pinkish-brown
- Best for
- Heirloom dining tables, Jewellery boxes and keepsakes