I have a minor obsession with wooden things. Given a choice between something wooden and artificial, it has to be wood. I’d wear wicker trousers if they made them.
I’ve only got one thing made out of Ash but after having recently read a great book about the varied use of Ash wood, I’ll certainly be seeking it out.
Featured here, for your delectation, are four different woods.
Our kitchen table is unGodly lump of lovely Oak. It is French, which does grate slightly. But hey ho, it a thing of loveliness that is the focal point for our house. We are little old-fashioned about family meal times and the values; it sees plenty of use.
The bowl in the background is Red Maple, bought in Granville Market in Vancouver over a decade ago. It is an absolutely beautiful turned piece of wood that is our family fruit bowl.
The two spinning tops were a present from a friend who has a lathe in his ‘man cave’ (aka his shed) where he makes small items for fun. I respect that. And am faintly jealous.
The spinning item is 3000 year old Bog Oak, which fills me full of wonder just to touch its venerable grain. Apparently, as a material, it isn’t as uncommon as you’d think. Millennia of being steeped in acidity imbue a wonderful deep black colour.
The static item is Lignum Vitae, a beautifully grained and deceptively heavy item, tipped with Bog Oak.
