Burl Wood
We’re here for every knotty moment of burl wood.

The grand return of a design darling. Burl wood’s reign began in the 1920s when the Art Deco era dictated over-the-top glamour and decadent details. Its Gatsby-esque swirls paired nicely with the gild and lacquer, chandeliers and sunbursts. Burl wood’s popularity remained strong into the 1930s, continuing to be a staple in the big-sister design version of Art Deco: Hollywood Regency. Believe it or not, the 30s took glamor to a whole new level—key words being opulent, ornate, theatrical, and Dorothy Draper. Hollywood’s Golden Era and burl wood were a natural pairing.

Then, burl had a design trend resurgence in the 1970s, often used in the mid-century silhouettes of designer Milo Baughman. Paired with polished chrome and clean lines, burl was part of the sophisticated material choices that defined this era.

Going into the 80s, burl wood fell out of popularity, seeing a return to fame only in recent years. Now, design lovers are once again seeking out its golden swirls to bring some intricacy and rarity into their homes.

Burl wood is formed when a tree develops a mutation, usually from an outside stressor like an infection or injury. Due to the stress, the tree’s grains grow in an uncommon nature, forming a growth on the trunk, twisting and interlocking with itself, and forming the dramatic swirls its known for in furniture design.