Burl

design-dictionary-burl-chest.jpg

If you are going to walk the walk, you should talk the talk

What is burl?

BURL: a type of wood that comes from a tumor-like growth on a tree. Typically cut in thin veneers to showcase its beautiful figuring.  Sometimes the figuring looks like tortoiseshell.  Occasionally, it is large enough to provide planks that can be used as tabletops. Common species for this type of wood are walnut, elm and yew. American redwood can provide the thicker planks. 

 Burl wood is not the same as crotch wood.  Crotch wood is caused by the compression on the tree where a major branch meets the trunk, not a tumor-like growth.

While also quite beautiful, crotch wood does not have the extreme swirls and eyes seen in burl wood. It can be hard to tell the difference, but here is an example of a small Jansen chest in our apartment featuring crotch mahogany veneers on the face. As a little review, note the sabots capping the chest’s feet.

A Maison Jansen chest, c.1930, in our apartment featuring crotch mahogany veneers on the face.

A Maison Jansen chest, c.1930, in our apartment featuring crotch mahogany veneers on the face.

In nature.

This tree looks like it came out of Game of Thrones–the burl growths resemble a face. 

65216ccd81b342bb6c72a6c8703567d0.jpg

Cut burl wood looks like this:

design-dictionary-burl-cutting-collage.jpg

Furniture examples

Although it is technically a flaw in the wood,  the use of burl wood to decorate furniture has long been popular.  Here we see it in a high chest from c. 1725.

WILLIAM AND MARY Figured MAPLE AND BURLed WALNUT HIGH CHEST OF DRAWERS, Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1725

WILLIAM AND MARY Figured MAPLE AND BURLed WALNUT HIGH CHEST OF DRAWERS, Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1725

We own this pretty wood side table from the Victorian period.

Our Victorian period side table with burl top.

Our Victorian period side table with burl top.

This art deco-style clock is charming.

Burl wood clock from the art deco period

Burl wood clock from the art deco period

The use of burl wood was common in the Bierdermeier period.

Custom Made Myrtle Burl and Ash Chair with Arms by Culin & Collella, Inc. [Biedermeier inspired]

Custom Made Myrtle Burl and Ash Chair with Arms by Culin & Collella, Inc. [Biedermeier inspired]

And burl wood was very popular in mid century furniture as seen in this Paul Evans classic console from his Cityscape collection.

Paul Evan’s Cityscape cabinet

Paul Evan’s Cityscape cabinet

These contemporary side tables have a burl wood plank top.

Contemporary side tables

Contemporary side tables

Inspiring rooms

design-dictioanry-burl-kitchen.jpg
d63e566550532e6e518e68060743ba21.jpg
Coveting this console in the home of Cloth & Kind designer Tami Ramsey

Coveting this console in the home of Cloth & Kind designer Tami Ramsey

Photo credits:   wood chest from FieldstoneHill  Collage:  being cutshowing figuringslab.William and Mary chest from Sotheby ‘s;   art deco clockcontemporary side tables;  kitchen island from the New York Times.  Room with side table from Apartment Therapy.  nightstand chest from Elements of Style.   chest from a perfect gray. Tami Ramsey console via Lonny.