We work with trees grown in Sochi: trunks brought down by storms and trees that had to be removed for construction. Each one lived its own life, and it shows in the cut. Here's what's normal in real wood and how we deal with it.
Live edge
The live edge is the natural outline of the trunk left once the bark is removed. It can be wavy, with hollows and bulges. We strip the bark and loose fibres, then sand and finish the edge just like the main surface. The live edge is the main reason two tables of the same species never share the same shape.
Knots
- Tight knots are firmly bonded to the surrounding wood and won't fall out — they are part of the figure.
- Loose or cracked knots are stabilised or filled with resin.
- Softwoods such as cedar, cypress and larch usually have more knots, which adds character.
Checks and cracks
As wood dries, it loses moisture unevenly, and cracks can form, especially at the ends and near the pith. We dry the timber carefully and stabilise it where needed to limit this movement. Larger cracks are reinforced with butterfly keys or filled with resin — they become part of the design and don't affect strength.
Fine hairline checks can also appear after purchase if the piece ends up in a very dry or very humid room. They're usually harmless, but do let your manager know.
Colour and figure
- Colour varies even within one trunk: the heartwood is darker, the sapwood lighter.
- Many species darken or lighten with light — cherry, mulberry and walnut among them.
- Figured grain, curls and the 'eyes' in burl are features of growth, not flaws.
What this means for you
- If you order a piece based on a sample, it will match in shape, species and construction, but not exactly in grain and shade.
- If you want to see the exact slab, choose it in the showroom or ask your manager for photos and video.
- If you'd prefer fewer knots or a calmer figure, tell us up front and we'll select the timber accordingly.
Where character ends and a defect begins
We treat as a defect anything that affects strength or use: a wobbly structure, a peeling finish, a crack that keeps growing and gets in the way. These are handled under our warranty terms. Everything else is the nature of the material — the very reason people choose solid wood.
