Burl wood has been on my own personal decorating radar since I went on my armoire journey (remember that?) beginning in 2019. Since then, I’ve seen it explode in popularity, culminating in being a prominent figure in the blockbuster movie, “Wicked.” There I was, sitting next to my pal Jess, enthralled by the scenery, the music, the production, when the gargantuan mechanical face of the Wizard of Oz comes on screen. “Jess! It’s made of burl wood!” I excitedly whispered to her, after which we both chuckled in silence, knowing I was working on this very story.
When something reaches a fever pitch like that, it tends to be on the downward slope out of the mainstream. In this instance, though, I still think burl wood has a lot of legs left in this design trend race, and it’s going to be bigger than ever in the coming year. So, I wanted to dig in a bit, because that’s what I do.
Let’s understand what it is exactly, why it’s valuable/desired, what kinds of burl wood exist, and how to shop for it. Then, we’ll see some pretty shoppable options. Sound good? Come on!
What Is Burl Wood? Does It Come From A Specific Species Of Tree?
Admittedly, I didn’t know that much about the origins of burl wood until I did some research on it not that long ago. As someone who tries to regularly educate themselves on the design things that are of interest to them, I thought maybe it was a species of tree I just wasn’t familiar with. A burl tree…uh, no, Arlyn. The very definition of the word “burl” is a lump or knot, and that’s exactly what it is! Burl wood comes from a growth on a tree that shouldn’t be there, typically due to some kind of stress that the tree underwent. It’s essentially an amorphous blob, or a tree tumor, so to speak. When you cut into that tree growth, it’s full of very intricately knotted wood, which creates an irregular, spotted pattern. It’s really the definition of making beauty from chaos.
Because burl wood is randomly occurring (and doesn’t grow on all species of trees), it’s considered rare and, hence valuable. It’s super dense and the swirling grain can make it hard to work with, meaning a skilled craftsman is best to handle it, which also adds to the cost.
The most common (yet still rare) sources of burl wood come from poplar, oak, elm, olive, redwood, and walnut trees. The natural undertones of those specific woods carries through that burl, so you can find a good variation from really pale and neutral like poplar (the most popular—ha—burl wood) to rich and red like oak and redwood all the way to deep almost ebony-like finishes in walnut. Olive ash is really interesting because it occurs more in large Rorschach-like patterns with large, noticeable swirls and some knotting as opposed to something like elm or poplar that are distinctly hole-y.
Veneer, Laminate, Solid: What’s The Deal With Burl Wood Applications?
Veneer can get a bad rap in the furniture world, where solid wood is the unrivaled pick for quality and durability. But here’s the thing with something like burl wood, it’s best suited for veneer because it’s hard to find in pieces large enough to create anything in the scale of a dresser or credenza. Plus, because it would be even more rare to get a tree with a growth that big, solid burl wood would be so cost prohibitive and not to mention, wildly heavy because it’s very dense.
Just to clarify in case someone is doubting themselves:
- Veneer = a very thin slice of the actual wood, attached to a backing that is then applied to a piece of furniture
- Laminate = a printing/reproduction of the *look* of wood but no actual wood is used
- Solid wood = well…all solid pieces of wood
Almost everything you’ll find on the market, new, used, or vintage, is going to be veneer, and that’s okay! Price will vary depending on the type of burl wood as something like a walnut or olive burl is going to be much more expensive than a maple or poplar just due to scarcity.
Another thing to consider when it comes to the price of burl wood veneered furniture and decor is how large of a swathe of veneer is needed for the piece. Something small like a tray or side table will be far more affordable in comparison to an armoire where the whole front (both doors) need a continuous piece of burl veneer (and a tray is always going to be exponentially cheaper than a wardrobe, of course). You’ll also find a lot of patchwork burl which is less expensive since it doesn’t all have to come from the same burl growth, just the same species of tree. Lastly, the quality of veneer is also going to affect pricing. You may be able to find a nightstand on Wayfair or Target, for instance, for around $200-$400 that looks really beautiful, but the quality won’t compare in the veneer or the framing of the piece to something from a high-end manufacturer like Made Goods (these can run you $1,500-$3,000 for reference).
Let’s Talk Vintage Burl Wood
Look, I would have gladly sourced a new burl wood armoire when I was designing my bedroom, but my heart was set on something vintage, so I understand the desire for anyone reading today to hunt down something that has lived a life.
Luckily, burl wood has a long history of being used even as far back as the 18th century during the Baroque and Rococo periods. The Victorian era and Art Deco period loved it, as well. Certain mid-century modern designers like George Nakashima, Milo Baughman and Gio Ponti used it on the occasional furniture piece, which became a hot commodity in the ’70s when people were hunting down those then-vintage mid-century pieces. Other manufacturers that used burl wood in this time period were Henredon, Baker, and Drexel Heritage.
From there, burl wood quieted down a bit in terms of mainstream popularity until recent years. All that to say, whether you have leanings toward the very ornate or super sleek, you’ll likely find something vintage or antique with burl wood if you’re looking for it.
Be sure to swap around your search terms if you aren’t having a ton of luck on marketplaces where it’s more peer-to-peer (proper dealers will know something is burl wood and label it as such). Some words to try:
- Burl veneer
- Burl wood / burlwood
- Exotic wood
- [wood type such as maple or oak] burl
- Figured wood or figured grain
- Rare wood
- Live edge wood
How Do I Incorporate It Into My Home?
I’m glad you asked! I love burl wood for its power to add a necessary moment of uniqueness. It definitely makes you do a double take and feels so special whether it’s a pair of taper candlestick holders or a large sideboard. It works in a minimal and modern vignette or room but it’s also stunning in a maximalist space. Have just a touch via a mirror, frame, sconce or tray, or go for that impact with a casegood or armchair. It works with all kinds of metal finishes, though I especially like it right now with a dark burnished brass, polished nickel, or chrome.
Below are some examples I found of rooms that use burl wood expertly and in different doses:
I’m not sure exactly how to put my finger on why but a burl wood piece of furniture always feels a bit vintage to me. Perhaps I associate it with what I recall seeing in mid-century and ’70s designs (I wasn’t there, just have read a lot of old magazines), or that it’s so rich, warm and dynamic. Who knows, but this bookcase is new from Soho Home and made from mappa burl wood veneer (another way poplar is referenced, though “mappa” tends to come from European trees).
A burl wood desk has now entered my dream furniture wish list. I believe this is olive ash based on the swirling, bookmatched pattern (but I’m not totally an expert here). It gives the black-painted built-ins some much-needed warmth and visual interest.
Designer Christiane Lemieux has always had incredible taste, imho, so it comes as no surprise that her new collection from her brand Lemieux et Cie is stunning and often accented with burl wood. Sometimes, just a touch like on the legs of this bench, is just enough to add some tension.
So much new burl wood these days is more of a neutral tone (like poplar, elm and olive burl) but don’t overlook burl pieces in a red or orange tone. I find the table in this room by Anouska Tamony Designs so much more interesting with the red velvet sofa than a more expected and quieter burl veneer.
Like that bench by Lemeiux et Cie, a little goes a long way. The chair in this dining setting by J. Mueller Designs is kind of an odd man out but also kind of interesting. It’s both a little contemporary and a little vintage in terms of the vibes it provides.
I had two images from a family session when my daughter turned one framed in Framebridge’s Cairo burl wood frame and this set is by far my favorite of all my frames. I say that to say a burl mirror would be just as good.
Okay, this is next level and wildly unattainable for most, but OH MY GOD a burl wood kitchen! I can’t stop looking at this room by Atelier Pi. If you have the means for a budget that could sustain this much burl wood, trying it in a small wet bar area or compact kitchen space would be ideal.
Don’t forget that you can always find a vintage burl wood cabinet and get it retrofitted to house a sink in a bathroom! I’d keep it to the powder bathroom since it’s a lower moisture space, but wow is this so beautiful and posh.
It’s wild how different these two bathrooms look while both using burl wood veneer. This elm or poplar (hard for me to tell, though probably poplar), works really well with the more contemporary finishes and the modern rounded shape of the vanity base. A darker burl would also be beautiful but decidedly more “classic.”
And finally, two other applications for burl wood we haven’t seen up to this point. WALLS! That vestibule above has a really subtle burl pattern which I think is just the right amount for such an eye-catching design, while the busier and more golden poplar wall/tabletop/desk situation below by Paris Forino is what this space is all about.
Ready to scoop up some burl wood for yourself? I did a little window shopping to find some pieces I loved, and hopefully you will love, too. The first grouping is to add just a touch (at a much lower price point), while the second block is larger pieces, both vintage and new.
1. Vintage Round Burl Wood Box | 2. Burlwood Tray | 3. Jennifer Taylor Home Nebula Round Burl Wood Upholstered Ottoman | 4. Matthew Izzo Home Daren Burlwood & Brushed Brass Wall Sconce | 5. Cairo Wide Burl Wood Frame | 6. Atlass Thuya Wood Burl Memory Keepsake | 7. Memini Burl Wood Wall Mirror by Athena Calderone | 8. Tamara Burl Open Shelving Unit | 9. Burl Wood Tissue Box | 10. Large Burlwood Box | 11. Papier Burlwood Table Lamp with Linen Shade by Athena Calderone | 12. Burled Wood Wall Mirror
1. Vintage Burlwood Armoire | 2. Olive Ash Burlwood Credenza by Henredon, Scene Two | 3. Shura Burl Console Table | 4. Aristo Entryway Unit, Michelangelo Marble | 5. Mota Natural Burl Wood Bar Cabinet | 6. Mika Burl Wood Side Table | 7. Emerson Mappa Burl Desk | 8. Ogden Burled Wood Accent Table | 9. Mid-Century Burlwood Dresser by Dillingham Attributed to Milo Baughman | 10. Cora 3 Drawer Curved Chest | 11. Dumas Lounge Chair | 12. Runyon Hutch
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I’m glad to say I reached the end of this post and still love the look of burl wood as much as when I started (that doesn’t always happen as some trendy designs can be kind of cloying for me). I have those frames I mentioned, a tray, and of course my armoire (that I’m honestly not entirely sure is burl wood veneer but my heart sees it as that so oh well) but I’ve added a few other pieces to my long-running mental list of dream pieces.
Would love to hear your thoughts, as always.
Until next year, my friends…
Opening Image Credits: Design and styling by Emily Bowser | photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: This Organic, Punchy Bedroom Might Be Our New Favorite Makeover
THIS POST WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED HERE.
