The Kaleidoscope of Wood: Interwood's Exotic Veneer Portfolio
Other notable species in the Interwood portfolio include distinctive cuts of African Etimoe (Copaifera spp.), a reddish brown wood with a curly fiddleback grain pattern; Makore (Tieghemella heckelii), which can have mottled, curly or wavy grain patterns; Anigre (Pouteria spp.), a golden or pinkish hued wood from Africa with a curly or mottled grain; and unusual cuts of ebony, bubinga, sycamore, maple and rosewood. "Some of these are intricately figured and just breathtakingly beautiful," says Banas. "There are some 75 different figure types, including bird's eye, fiddleback, pomele (waterfall), dimpled, quilted and even bear's claw. Each one imparts a distinct look and texture to the wood. There are also burls and clusters which add another whole dimension to the wood's character. Woods are as nuanced and complex as any art form."
Architects and designers use these extraordinary pieces on very upscale projects such as the Khalifa Tower in Dubai, for which Interwood supplied Santos Rosewood (Machaerium spp.) used in the lobbies of the penthouse floors. Other applications where such singular pieces appear are in high-end residences, elite private jets and yachts, automobile interiors, office C-suites, theaters and exclusive resorts where they often make powerful, dramatic statements.
"These are not commodity woods," Banas says. "They are gems, and photo images simply do not do justice to them. Virtually, all of the senses are involved in the appreciation of woods of this quality, especially the most rare, intricate woods. You really have to get a complete sense of their nature and individuality. That's why we created the studio and the other resources so that users can experience them fully and understand their full potential."
Frequently asked questions
What exotic wood species are in Interwood's veneer portfolio?+
Interwood's portfolio includes African Etimoe (Copaifera spp.), Makore (Tieghemella heckelii), Anigre (Pouteria spp.), and unusual cuts of ebony, bubinga, sycamore, maple and rosewood. Many feature distinctive grain patterns such as curly fiddleback, mottled, curly or wavy figures.
What wood figure types does Interwood offer?+
Interwood offers roughly 75 different figure types, including bird's eye, fiddleback, pomele (waterfall), dimpled, quilted and bear's claw. Burls and clusters add further dimension and character to the woods.
What wood did Interwood supply for the Khalifa Tower in Dubai?+
Interwood supplied Santos Rosewood (Machaerium spp.) for the Khalifa Tower in Dubai, where it was used in the lobbies of the penthouse floors.
Where are Interwood's exotic veneers typically used?+
These veneers are used on upscale projects including high-end residences, elite private jets and yachts, automobile interiors, office C-suites, theaters, and exclusive resorts, where they make dramatic design statements.
What are the characteristics of African Etimoe, Makore, and Anigre woods?+
African Etimoe (Copaifera spp.) is a reddish brown wood with a curly fiddleback grain pattern. Makore (Tieghemella heckelii) can have mottled, curly or wavy grain patterns, while Anigre (Pouteria spp.) is a golden or pinkish hued African wood with a curly or mottled grain.
Why does Interwood have a physical studio for its veneers?+
According to Banas, photo images do not do justice to these rare woods, and virtually all the senses are involved in appreciating their quality. The studio was created so users can experience the woods fully and understand their individuality and full potential.