Materials & Finishes

The materials in a piece of furniture determine how it looks, how it feels, and how long it lasts. This page describes the materials we work with most frequently, why we choose them, and what the options mean in practice for a commissioned piece.

Stacks of high-quality timber planks in a furniture workshop

Wood species

Beech

The workhorse of upholstered furniture frames. Dense, strong, and consistent. Beech takes glue well and holds joints under stress. Most of our upholstered chairs, sofas, and benches use beech frames because it provides the best combination of strength, workability, and cost. Beech frames are typically hidden beneath upholstery, so the visual character of the wood is less important than its structural performance.

Oak

For exposed-frame designs where the wood is part of the aesthetic. English oak has a warm, golden tone that darkens with age. European oak is slightly lighter and more consistent in grain. Both are extremely durable. Oak is our default choice for dining tables, exposed-leg chairs, and shelving.

Walnut

The premium timber option. Rich, dark brown with a distinctive grain pattern. Walnut is softer than oak but dense enough for furniture construction. It is the choice for pieces where visual warmth and depth of colour are priorities. Walnut costs roughly 40 to 60% more than oak.

Ash

Light in colour, strong, and flexible. Ash is good for steam-bending (curved components) and for pieces where a pale, Scandinavian aesthetic is wanted. Availability has been affected by ash dieback disease; we source from managed UK woodland where possible.

Metal options

We use metal for legs, frames, and accent details on certain designs.

Mild steel: The most common metal in our work. Welded, ground, and finished with powder coating or clear lacquer. Available in any RAL colour. Black powder-coated steel is the most popular finish.
Brass: Used for accent details, drawer pulls, and decorative leg tips. We use solid brass rather than brass-plated steel. It develops a natural patina over time unless lacquered.
Stainless steel: For pieces that need a contemporary, industrial look. Brushed or mirror-polished finish. More expensive than mild steel but maintenance-free.

Interior design mood board with fabric swatches, wood samples, and metal finishes

Upholstery fabrics

We work with a curated selection of fabric mills whose quality we trust over the long term. Clients are welcome to specify their own fabric, subject to our assessment of its suitability for the construction.

Linen: Natural texture, breathable, ages beautifully. Wrinkles freely; that is part of the character. Best for pieces in rooms where a relaxed, lived-in aesthetic is wanted.
Cotton: Durable, available in a wide range of colours and weaves. Our heavy cotton canvases are sourced from a Portuguese mill. Good for families with children.
Wool: Warm, resilient, naturally stain-resistant. Wool upholstery fabrics from Scottish and Yorkshire mills are our go-to for accent chairs and pieces in cooler rooms.
Velvet: Cotton velvet and linen velvet for formal pieces. Rich depth of colour, soft hand. Requires slightly more care than flat-weave fabrics but the visual impact is unmatched.
Leather: Full-grain and top-grain leather for chairs, sofas, and headboards. We source from Italian and UK tanneries. Leather upholstery adds 20 to 40% to the cost of a fabric-upholstered equivalent.

Surface treatments

Oil: Danish oil or hard-wax oil. Penetrates the wood, enhances the grain, and provides a natural matte finish. Our preferred treatment for most timber surfaces. Requires periodic reapplication (annually for dining tables, less frequently for other pieces).
Lacquer: For pieces that need a more durable surface. Available in matte, satin, or gloss. Lacquer sits on top of the wood rather than penetrating it, providing stronger protection against stains and water marks.
Paint: For pieces where colour is part of the design. We use specialist furniture paint (not household emulsion) in any colour. Painted finishes are typically matte or eggshell.

Discuss materials

Material choices are always part of the commission conversation. We bring samples to the workshop visit or post swatches to clients who cannot visit in person. Email [email protected] to begin.