Oak

Oak is a natural material that can be replanted and renewed through responsible forest management. Since wood plays a major role in our products, we place great emphasis on sourcing it from responsibly managed forests. The oak we use comes from European forests. We are committed to supporting responsible forestry. Most of our oak is sourced from FSC®-certified European forests, with only a few exceptions. 

Oak plays a central role in many of our designs because of its exceptional durability and its strong connection to nature. Known for its strength and versatility, oak is easy to shape and well suited for a variety of processing methods. 

We work with solid oak in most of our products, allowing the natural character of the wood to shine through. We steam-bend or prestress components to achieve comfortable chair backs. Steam bending is a traditional technique that allows solid wood to be shaped into gentle curves. The wood is exposed to steam and heat, then bent into the desired form and dried under controlled heat to retain its shape. 

Oak’s unique character comes from its lively grain and warm tones – a natural result of the coarse pores and medullary rays found in the wood. Oak is a robust hardwood with natural tannic acid, which protects the wood and allows it to develop a beautiful patina over time with proper care.