Timbers
Our favourite timbers.
The choice of timber plays a defining role in the final piece. Each species brings its own tone, grain and personality, shaping the overall look and feel of the table.
Choosing a timber
Four things to weigh up.
Every slab is one of one, so the timber sets the character of the finished piece more than any other choice you make.
Tone
Timbers run from the pale, even face of sycamore and hornbeam, through the golden browns of oak and sweet chestnut, to the deep, dark grain of walnut. Tone decides how light or how heavy the table sits in a room.
Grain and figure
A quiet grain, like cherry or sycamore, lets the resin river lead the design. An expressive one, like burr oak, pippy oak or elm, becomes the feature in its own right.
How it meets the resin
Pale timbers against a dark river give the strongest contrast. Walnut is most often paired with a clear or colour-matched resin, so the river reads as depth rather than a stripe.
Width and stability
Width decides how the river runs through the top. Wide slabs suit a single river on a six to eight seat table; narrower ones are paired. Every slab is kiln dried and flattened before any resin is poured.
Timbers
Ten species, each with its own character.
Each slab is a single species of English hardwood, chosen for grain, movement and the live edge. Availability changes constantly, because every slab is one of one.
English Oak
Quercus robur
A timeless favourite, English oak offers strength, character and beautifully defined grain. Its warm tones and natural variation make it a versatile choice across both traditional and contemporary designs.
Pippy Oak
Quercus robur (figured)
Full of texture and visual interest, pippy oak is defined by its distinctive clusters and figuring. It creates a highly decorative surface, perfect for statement pieces.
Burr Oak
Quercus robur (burr growth)
Rich, intricate and full of movement, burr oak delivers a truly unique finish. Its complex grain patterns make each piece one of a kind.
Walnut
Juglans regia (European walnut)
Walnut brings a deeper, more refined tone to a design. Its rich browns and flowing grain create a sophisticated, high-end aesthetic.
Elm
Ulmus procera (English elm)
Elm is known for its flowing, organic grain and warm tones. It adds movement and natural character to any piece.
Ash
Fraxinus excelsior
Clean and contemporary, ash is lighter in tone with a straight, consistent grain. It works well for brighter, more minimal interiors.
Cherry
Prunus avium
Cherry offers a rich, warm finish that deepens over time. Its smooth grain and subtle variation create a refined and timeless look.
Sweet Chestnut
Castanea sativa
Sweet chestnut offers a warm, golden tone with natural depth. Its defined grain and gentle variation create a classic, balanced look.
Sycamore
Acer pseudoplatanus
Pale and elegant, sycamore offers a smooth, subtle grain. Its light appearance pairs well with darker resins for strong contrast.
Hornbeam
Carpinus betulus
Hornbeam offers a clean, pale finish with a fine, even grain. Its subtle character delivers a modern, understated look.
Price
What the timber does to the cost.
Timber is the largest single variable in a table. In the designer, each species carries an uplift on the size price, so you can see the difference as you choose.
English Oak
+ 10%
Ash · Sweet Chestnut
+ 12%
Elm · Cherry
+ 17%
Walnut
+ 20%
Pippy oak, burr oak, sycamore and hornbeam are not in the designer. They come from individual slabs in the ledger and are priced per piece. All figures are guide prices; the final quotation depends on the slab chosen and what is available at the time of order.
Availability
Timber comes and goes.
We hold a working stock of kiln-dried slabs and it changes constantly, because every slab is one of one.
See what is in stock
Read the timber guide
Design your table
Design a table in your timber.
Choose a timber here, then pick size, style, resin and base in the designer, see a guide price as you go, and reserve with a 50% deposit.