Wood burl adds charm, originality
The Danish crave hygge (coziness), and the Swedish love lagom ( balance). The Finnish swear by sisu (tenacity), while the Greeks pursue ataraxia (serenity). The Japanese? Among other things, they dig wabi-sabi.
Wabi-sabi is an ancient esthetic philosophy that celebrates the beauty of imperfection. And right now in the world of home decor, it's having a moment — particularly in the form of burl wood.
Initially popular in the art deco designs of the 1920s and peaking in the 1970s, burl wood is made from abnormal growths on a tree. Typically, burls develop when a tree is stressed from injury, a virus or fungus, and appear as rounded outgrowths on tree trunks. When cut into planks, the small knots inside look like swirling kaleidoscopic shapes.
“Burls are like snowflakes in that no two are alike and can produce wonderful patterns, and once an individual burl is processed and made into a panel or piece of furniture or turning, you will never see another like it again,” Jay White, technical manager at Oakwood Veneer Co., told Marthastewart.com.
That's all fine and good, but why are burl wood pieces hot right now, even landing on Etsy's list of 2020 home decor trends?
“I believe people are looking for more original and unique types of wood for their interiors,” interior designer Marie Burgos told Hunker. “There are so many industrial options of ready-made furniture pieces that when you can have a piece with its own unique character, it makes a difference for your interior.”
There's also the fact that everything '70s is new again. But perhaps on a more philosophical level, maybe it's the idea that enduring massive stress can result in a beautiful outcome — the kind of optimism that's welcome after the trauma of 2020.
Regardless, if you're looking to incorporate burl wood into your decor, make sure you're buying from sellers who ethically source, reclaim or legally salvage the wood. For years, poachers have snuck into California's parks at night and sawed burls off redwood trees, which threatens individual trees as well as forests.
To make a big statement, try a burl wood table, credenza or chest of drawers. Or, if you'd rather a more subtle and less pricey option, go for a burl wood picture frame or a tray to set on a coffee table or nightstand.