The organic beauty of natural materials
Glory in the character of wood
Wood is a living thing with a wide range of grains, colors, and patterns. Each piece of wood is unique, with its own features and variations.
When you choose a wooden vanity, it’s important to recognize and appreciate the natural variations found in it. They reflect the story of the tree itself, how it grew, its age, and the place it comes from. By honouring those variations, you acknowledge wood as an incarnation of nature, unique in itself.
Color variations
All wood can vary in colour from one piece to the next. Below you can see samples of two 4' × 8' sheets in the same color. That kind of variation is normal, especially for natural woods without stain.
Grain pattern variations
Some colors have a subtle, straight, uniform grain, while others are chosen for their contrasting grain patterns. Below: panel placement on a 4' × 8' sheet and its effect on the look of the front.
Wood aging
Aging refers to the natural processes that affect wood when it’s exposed to light, humidity, air, and changes in temperature. Over time, it causes a certain degree of oxidation that can affect the appearance of the wood.
Oiled Walnut WW-201-C color is particularly susceptible to oxidation. You can expect minor differences in color between what you see in the store and what you receive. Over time, the color will become richer and warmer, like a good wine as it matures.
Natural marks
All our wood colors can have light to moderate ripples that create a flame effect against the grain. Knots and darker marks may also be seen, particularly in our high variation colors.
Three variation levels depending on your preferences
To simplify your choice of colours, we group them into three variation levels.
SLIGHT variations
Conservative choice for maximum consistency and a more conventional look.
Grain: subtle
Pale to dark contrast: slight
Natural marks: minimal
Suggested design: All designs, especially transitional, rustic/classic and floor-mount contemporary.
MODERATE variations
The sweet spot between understated and adventurous, for a natural look free of extreme contrasts.
Grain: moderate
Pale to dark contrast: moderate
Natural marks: light to moderate
Suggested design: Contemporary, small home or industrial
HIGH variations
The bold option for those who love the natural look of wood and believe the uniqueness of each piece is what makes it special.
Grain: pronounced, often in plank effect styles
Pale to dark contrast: high
Natural marks: moderate
Suggested design: Contemporary or industrial, especially wall-mount furniture and small surfaces.
Design tips for high variation colors
Because of their strong personalities, we recommend these colors for understated wall-mount furniture with small visible surfaces. A high-variation color on a floor-mount vanity with multiple drawers could quickly overwhelm the rest of the design, especially if the grain is vertical.
See our wood colors
Click here to see our wood colors categorized by degree of variation, from slight to high.