Timber

Virgin European Oak

Oak is a large hardwood tree with a broad, sweeping crown, sturdy branches and round-lobed leaves. A familiar icon of the British countryside, it is distributed throughout the UK, USA and continental Europe. Boasting warm, honeyed golden browns, European Oak generally has a darker, richer complexion than American Oak, which tends to display a lighter tan colour with some pinkish and yellow hues. European Oak also has a more distinctive, wavy grain pattern with more prominent knots and swirls, providing character and rustic charm. You may even see some instances of burr, a unique and eye-catching type of figuring.

Because of its strength and beauty, oak has been used in the UK for thousands of years in the making of everything from food and wine to houses and ships and medicines and leather. We choose to make our toy boxes in oak because it is considered by many to be more durable than other comparable timbers – and in our opinion, more beautiful.

We source our virgin oak from suppliers who have achieved certification from the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) Council and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®).

Reclaimed Oak

A growing number of people (including ourselves) are convinced that reclaiming and repurposing wood is an important activity that can reduce the demand for virgin timber and contribute to long term sustainable forestry management. Although wood is a regenerative and natural material and so is inherently more environmentally friendly than plastic, metal and mineral-based materials, reclaiming perfectly usable timber is a great way to keep trees in the ground so they can do their job of making everyone’s lives better.

We scour the UK for old oak floorboards from derelict manor houses, planking from the decks of cruise ships and construction timbers from old barns and factories, and give them a second life. Every piece of oak we repurpose has a story to tell and many carry the scars of a lifetime of service, but with a bit of care and a lot of skill we repair the damage done by nails, screws, stiletto heels and even in one case, a bullet. Our toy boxes made using reclaimed oak are full of character, with a strong sense of history and a credible claim to be environmentally superior.