Home Design: From Rare to Exotic Five

From Rare to Exotic

5 RESPONSIBLY-SOURCED INTERIOR WOOD OPTIONS

By Lisa J. Gotto

Whenever you have walked into a room or living space and are left with an indelible impression but aren’t sure why, there’s a good chance the impression was made because the homeowners chose to use some elements of rare or exotic woods in their space.

There is something all at once stirring, warm, and even primal about the judicious use of these unique materials in the home. That said, any conversation about the use of exotic or rare woods should be parsed with an understanding of responsible sourcing and sustainability of such materials. Environmental impacts of these materials include overharvesting, risk of extinction, and habitat destruction and deforestation.

No responsible homeowner wants that, so to ensure you are choosing sustainable woods, ask your builder, retailer, or craftsperson if they are sourcing materials that carry the Forest Stewardship Council, (FSC) certified seal. It is certainly worthwhile to do your homework, because rare and exotic woods offer two distinct benefits: visual impact and durability.

Here are five types you may wish to consider and a run-down of their basic and beautiful possibilities.

Cocobolo Bamboo

Found along the Pacific Coast in Mexico, and some areas in Central America, Cocobolo is sometimes also referred to as Rainbow Wood because its color ranges from combinations of orange, red, and yellow, to even black and violet. A true rosewood, similar in color and tone to Brazilian rosewood, Cocobolo presents a better alternative to using the Brazilian variety which is tightly controlled due to over-forestation. Its uses vary from knife handles to musical instruments, but in the home this hardwood is most often seen in cut veneer inlays and as signature furniture pieces. Cocobolo is considered a high-end, rare wood, so you can expect to pay a premium for this wood. A word of caution for DIYers, while beautiful, Cocobolo can be tricky to work with as the machining and sanding process produces a fine dust that can produce allergic reactions in some people. So it is best to seek the help of qualified woodworking professional when working with this material. Bamboo is probably the most recognizable of the woods on our list, as we see it in many applications in our daily lives from drinking straws to toothbrushes. Increasingly popular for its sustainability—it’s not just about your grandparents’ sunroom furniture anymore—composites of this materials are used widely in home building for consumers who are looking for economical and versatile options for their hardwood flooring needs. Bamboo gets high marks in the engineered hardwood category because it is easy to install, is moisture-resistant, and sustainable. While it is not among the most durable—it gets moderately durable grades when compared to solid hardwoods—its popularity in the home flooring sector is only expected to increase in the 2020s.

Padauk Spanish Cedar

Padauk wood is native to Africa and is known for its fiery colors that range from bright orange to an almost deep crimson, when first cut, that tempers to a rich, purple-brown over time. Woodworkers love this wood for its strength, which is slightly harder and heavier than Indian Rosewood and retains a richer color over time compared to Indian Rosewood. Home applications include luxurious flooring timber and durable cabinetry and furniture. And for wow factor, a live-edge table crafted from Padauk is a stunning statement-maker. Not to be confused with standard cedar, Spanish Cedar, which is sourced from South and Central America, has a soft texture, but is considered stable and durable by industry standards. Often compared to its cousin in the wood family, Mahogany, Spanish Cedar is reddish brown to dark brown in color. Its properties make it a prime choice for doors, windows, exterior siding and molding, and millwork. Other interior applications include window blinds, furniture, and cabinetry.

Zebrawood

This unique wood gets its striped-like appearance from its combination of light-colored sap wood contrasting with a darker grain. Sourced from countries such as Cameroon and Gabon in Western Africa, this hardwood has a texture that is medium to coarse, yet it is versatile and can be manipulated, so don’t be surprised to see it turning up in common items like pens and even light fixtures. Other applications include its use as a veneer and in the creation of fine furnishings.