Premium Timber for Exceptional Furniture

The right choice of timber defines the longevity and beauty of furniture. We carefully select premium hardwoods known for their durability, grain patterns, and natural strength

Types of Wood We Use

At Artifex, we believe that exceptional furniture starts with exceptional materials. That’s why we craft our pieces using three premium timbers—American White Oak, American Black Walnut, and Tasmanian Blackwood. Each of these timbers is chosen for its beauty, strength, and versatility, ensuring that every piece we create is not only stunning but built to last.

American White Oak: It is prized for its durability, subtle grain patterns, and ability to take on a variety of finishes. It’s a timeless choice that suits both classic and contemporary interiors.

American Black Walnut: offers a rich, dark elegance with a smooth, fine grain. Its natural luster and depth of color make it a favorite for statement furniture that exudes sophistication.

Tasmanian Blackwood: A premium Australian hardwood, stands out with its warm tones and striking grain variations. It balances strength with workability, making it ideal for handcrafted furniture with character.

In the sections below, we’ll explore the unique properties of each timber, their benefits, and why they are the foundation of Artifex’s exceptional craftsmanship. Whether you’re looking for bold sophistication, classic warmth, or something uniquely Australian, our premium timbers offer the perfect foundation for beautiful, long-lasting furniture.

American white Oak

  • Appearance: The heartwood of American white oak is pale yellow-brown to mid-brown, sometimes with a pink tinge. The sapwood is light coloured. It is mostly straight grained with a medium to coarse texture, and with longer rays and more figure than red oak. It has large distinctive growth rings and some medullary rays may be present.

  • Key Benefits: American white oak is a hard and heavy wood, with low stiffness and medium crushing and bending strength. It also has extremely good steam bending properties. American white oak is easy to machine, nail, glue and screw. It stains easily and can take a wide variety of colours. It is a slow-drying wood, so care needs to be taken to avoid checking. Also, given its high shrinkage rate, under variable moisture conditions it is susceptible to some movement.

  • Best Use Cases: Dining tables, cabinets, high-end furniture and flooring

American black Walnut

  • Appearance: American black walnut heartwood ranges from light to dark chocolate brown in colour, sometimes with narrow streaks with a purplish or darker brown tone. In comparison, sapwood is a distinctive creamy white. Black walnut is a finely grained timber, often with attractive swirls and wave patterning, especially around knotty areas. The heartwood lightens in colour as it ages, especially when it is exposed to UV light.

  • Key Benefits: American black walnut performs well with both machine and hand tools, and takes a very high polish. It is an excellent timber for carving and turning and is suitable for steam bending. It glues satisfactorily if conditions are carefully controlled. Black walnut also has good dimensional stability.
  • Best Use Cases: Furniture, cabinets, bookshelves, and bed frames.

Tasmanian Blackwood

  • Appearance: Blackwood timber is sought after for its impressive appearance and finish qualities. The heartwood is a rich, golden brown, sometimes complemented by reddish streaks or a narrow band of darker colour, indicative of the growth rings. The sapwood can be up to 50mm wide and is much paler in appearance. Even-textured, blackwood grain can either be straight or have a wavy, fiddleback pattern, which is valued for furniture and veneers.
  • Key Benefits: A cabinet maker’s dream timber to work with.  Blackwood has a good overall workability. A smooth, polished finish can be achieved, making blackwood ideal for furniture. 
  • Best Use Cases: Dining tables, chairs, desks and quality furniture pieces.

Why Our Timber Stands Out

At Artifex, we prioritise quality by using only the finest timbers, such as American White Oak, American Black Walnut, and Tasmanian Blackwood, ensuring each piece is crafted timelessly. Unlike mass-produced furniture, which often relies on inferior materials and assembly-line processes, our timber is hand-selected for each piece we create, for its exceptional durability, beauty, and unique character. High-quality timber provides lasting strength, an elegant finish, and the ability to age gracefully, unlike cheaper alternatives that can warp, fade, or deteriorate over time. By focusing on superior timber and expert craftsmanship, we create timeless pieces that not only stand out in design but also provide long-term value, making them a true investment for your home. Unlike mass-produced furniture, our solid timber pieces are built to last, developing character over time instead of deteriorating. We source responsibly and craft with precision to ensure each piece stands the test of time.

Craftsmanship & Customisation

Wood selection plays a crucial role in furniture design and customisation at Artifex, as the type of timber used influences both the aesthetic and functionality of each piece. Different woods, such as American White Oak, American Black Walnut, and Tasmanian Blackwood, offer unique grain patterns, colors, and textures, allowing us to tailor designs to suit various styles, from classic to contemporary. The inherent qualities of each timber also affect customisation options, such as the ability to stain and polish, dimensions or thickness requirements or shape the wood to meet specific design requirements. By offering a range of high-quality timbers, we provide clients with the flexibility to create bespoke furniture that reflects their personal taste, while ensuring lasting durability and craftsmanship. Every piece of furniture tells a story. From selecting the ideal wood grain to hand-finishing each surface, we ensure that your furniture is as unique as your space. Our team works closely with clients to create bespoke pieces tailored to their style.

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