ColourLight to mid brown · Warm
Wood · Europe
European Elm
A European hardwood with a lively, interlocked grain and warm brown colour, prized by furniture makers.
- Material
- Wood
- Origin
- Europe
- Cost
- €€€
- Maintenance
- Medium
01
Overview
- Colour
- Light to mid brown · Warm
- Natural variation
- High
- Grain
- Interlocked, wild figure
- Typical format
- Solid timber, boards and veneer
02
Physical characteristics
04
Advantages and limitations
Advantages
Expressive grain gives tables and chairs real character
Interlocked grain resists splitting
Bends well for chair parts
Limitations
Supply is limited since Dutch elm disease
Moves more than oak while drying
Strong figure can look busy on large areas
05
Care and installation
Maintenance and care
Wipe with a damp cloth and re-oil when the surface looks dry.
Use mats under hot dishes and wet glasses.
Installation considerations
- 1Let the timber acclimatise to the room before machining or fitting.
- 2Specify a balancing veneer on the back of veneered panels and seal all edges.
- 3Agree grain direction and leaf matching on doors and drawer fronts before production.
06
Sustainability
Most European elm now comes from trees felled because of disease, so it is a by-product rather than a forest crop.
07
Best pairings
Stone · ItalyEuropean Elm + Pietra Serena 
Textile and leather · Varied OriginsEuropean Elm + Wool Felt 
Metal · Varied originsEuropean Elm + Blackened Steel 
Textile and leather · Varied OriginsEuropean Elm + Linen Use with cautionLarge uniform surfaces where calm grain is wanted
09
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