Each Tree is Like a Fingerprint or a Snowflake
Interwood Forest Products has created a state-of-the-art architectural design studio in its Shelbyville, Kentucky facility where designers, architects and project managers can see, touch and compare a vast inventory of woods and veneers and collaborate on design projects.
The Interwood Architectural Design Studio includes a complete wood library, a sample room where woods of virtually all species and every imaginable color, grain and figure type are available, along with an ultra-modern design studio.
"We created the Architectural Design Studio to showcase our expansive inventory of exotic wood offerings and present our capabilities directly to end users," said Rick Banas, Vice President of Interwood Forest Products. "There are project design teams and artisans who may be looking for that special, rare wood for a truly unique application."
Interwood Forest Products is a leader in high-end architectural grade veneers and lumber with a selection that includes some of the rarest and finest woods in the world. Previously, the company marketed primarily through retailers. "Now users can come straight to the source and get hands-on access to our extensive inventory of exceptional veneers. We have created a setting where they can experience the woods, learn about them, compare them and be inspired by them," he said.
Interwood handles many unique, one-of-a-kind specimens. "Woods and veneers of this caliber really must be seen, handled and experienced to be appreciated," Banas says. "Each tree is like a fingerprint or a snowflake."
He described a highly figured Australian walnut (Juglans regia) tree valued at $740,000. "The wood was just gorgeous," he said. "It was big, clean, colorful and elaborately figured. The guy who bought it designed aircraft interiors and he used Australian walnut in corporate jets, yachts and other high-end applications."
Another singular piece Banas recalls was a Ziricote (Cordia dodecandra) log that had amazing ears and a deeply marbled grain such that it resembled a landscape. Ziricote is a hard, heavy, strong wood native to Central America. It has unusual irregular wavy black streaks, lines and variegations on a tan background. "The log was purchased by a brain surgeon who thought it looked like the inside of a brain. He just fell in love with it and decided to panel his home with it."
Frequently asked questions
What is the Interwood Architectural Design Studio?+
It is a facility that includes a complete wood library and sample room featuring woods of virtually all species, colors, grains and figure types, along with an ultra-modern design studio. It was created to showcase Interwood's exotic wood inventory and present its capabilities directly to end users.
Why did Interwood Forest Products open the Architectural Design Studio to end users?+
Interwood previously marketed primarily through retailers, but created the studio so project design teams, artisans and end users seeking rare woods for unique applications could come straight to the source. Visitors can experience, learn about, compare and be inspired by the woods firsthand.
What does Interwood Forest Products specialize in?+
Interwood Forest Products is a leader in high-end architectural grade veneers and lumber, offering a selection that includes some of the rarest and finest woods in the world, including many unique, one-of-a-kind specimens.
How much can a rare figured Australian walnut tree be worth?+
Rick Banas described a highly figured Australian walnut (Juglans regia) tree valued at $740,000. It was purchased by a designer of aircraft interiors who used Australian walnut in corporate jets, yachts and other high-end applications.
What are the characteristics of Ziricote wood?+
Ziricote (Cordia dodecandra) is a hard, heavy, strong wood native to Central America. It features unusual irregular wavy black streaks, lines and variegations on a tan background, and can display a deeply marbled grain resembling a landscape.
Who bought the notable Ziricote log described by Interwood?+
The Ziricote log, which had amazing ears and deeply marbled grain, was purchased by a brain surgeon who thought it looked like the inside of a brain. He fell in love with it and used it to panel his home.